Table for Four

I'm bringing out the fine chinette today, as it's picnic season. These paper plates are actual diecut advertising trade cards from the late 19th century. The first paper plate at top with the Japanesque design, is from Whittmann & Cole Printers & Stationers, circa 1898. The source is from the Evanion Collection of the British Library. The hand lettered type for the Edwards' Desiccated Soups card is far more appetizing than the name implies. Dated approximately 1887, it is also from the Evanion Collection at the British Library. The Drawing Room Cigarettes & Smoking Tobacco might have made a better ashtray than a plate. It was found on eBay some while ago. Lastly, the Gay's China Palace diecut plate is a nice find from Sheaff Ephemera who is a never-ending source of fine ephemera. Gay's China Palace was a fancy goods store in Philadelphia, though I doubt they sold paper plates.