Many close-up photos below.

1775 Village of Dorchester, Massachusetts
175th Anniversary of the
The First Chocolate Manufacturer in the United States:
Walter Baker & Company, Inc.
La Belle Chocolatiere

1940 Vintage 1st Edition Collector's Plate
Approximately 10½" Diameter
Vernon Kilns Ultra Rim Edge Form
Blue on White

Made by
Vernon Kilns
California Pottery
Los Angeles, California, USA,
ca. 1940

This is a spectacular 1st Edition 1940 collector's plate from Vernon Kilns California Pottery..

About Vernon Kilns. Vernon Kilns made collectors plates for hundreds of cities and states in the United States, some organizations and institutions, and some for foreign cities and countries. Vernon Kilns closed its doors permanently in the early 1950s.

According to Bill Stern (2001), Vernon Kilns was one of the well known "Big Five" of the Southern California Pottery group (p. 42, California Pottery: From Missions to Modernism). Please see Maxine Feek Nelson's Collectible Vernon Kilns: Identification and Value Guide for more information about Vernon Kilns California Pottery.

The plate depicts a variety of scenes of 1775 Dorchester, Massachusetts in celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Walter Baker & Company, Inc. who was the first chocolate manufacturer in the United States.

The back of the plate is scripted under glaze with the wording:

"LA BELLE CHOCOLATIERE"
Fashioned by skilled artisans to mark the 175th anniversary of Walter Baker & Company, Incorporated, this server depicts the village of Dorchester, Massachusetts Bay Colony (circa 1775) and the Mill located there in which James Baker and John Hannen manufactured the first chocolate in America --1765.

Shown, too, is the forification of Dorchester Heights against the blockading British fleet, the first free publick school (in which James Baker taught) and the church in which he worshipped.

First Edition - 1950

Vernon Kilns
U.S.A.

The vintage transfer plate has the Vernon Kilns "Ultra"-style rim with a star and eagle motif.

Condition.  The plate is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, or restorations.  This is one of Vernon Kilns earliest productions. It would be a thoughtful gift.

Always happy to combine shipping when safe to save you shipping costs.  

Please visit our Ebay store, DesertGold Store, for more Vernon Kilns pieces and other great finds, e.g., restaurant ware, EAPG, carnival glass, pottery, crystal, books, jewelry, typewriters, sewing machines, and the like!