Thursday, January 29, 2009

Vintage Thingie Thursday: Autumn Leaves


I first read about Vintage Thingie Thursday on Smiling Sally's blog (she has a very neat post today, about her mother's sewing table). VTT is hosted by Suzanne at Coloradolady, and as she says, "Thursday is the day to showcase your vintage treasures and to share your special things with everyone." Please visit her blog to find out more about VTT or to participate yourself.

Anyway, I loved the idea of sharing vintage thingies. And since just about everything I own is "vintage" (i.e., old), I thought I'd join in and share my china cabinet, since it's filled with vintage stuff.


Mainly, it's where I keep my Autumn Leaf collection. As "collections" go, it's not worth all that much, since most of the pieces are well-used and in nothing like pristine condition. But it's worth a lot to me because it was handed down to me by my husband's grandmother (along with a couple of pieces from my mother).



I remember that Nonnie (my grandmother-in-law) used these plates and accessories for holiday meals. And I've used them myself, for Thanksgiving dinners. But I hate to see the gold rims get any more worn than they already are, so I've got most of the plates stored away, and I use the other pieces mainly just for display now.


I especially love this cake plate, and the little covered bowl, which is smaller than it looks in the photo and I think was used for holding drippings.


Autumn Leaf china was first produced by the Hall China Company in 1933, for the Jewel Tea Company to be used as a premium. Over the years, they introduced more and more accessories in addition to the basic sets of plates, cups and saucers. The pattern was discontinued in the late 1970s, and is no longer manufactured except for pieces commissioned for the National Autumn Leaf Collectors Club.

12 comments:

  1. Beautiful china, Joy. I'm glad you joined in. Thanks for sharing. Happy VTT Day.

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  2. Welcome. You have a beautiful collection. The pattern reminds me of applique on a quilt. The pitcher in the second picture is a nice piece. Thanks for joining in, see you next week.

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  3. Those are beautiful. I am like you, I love dinnerware. And I have quite a few sets. Most of them are vintage too.

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  4. I remember these so well -- well, not Nonnies but Aunt V's and my own mother's -- I think we all had them. I look at them all time at the antique store down the road (yes, our dishes are in the antique store :( ) and have thought about buying some up. They would go nicely with the ivory Fiesta I have now. I always really liked the companion pieces. I suppose they are still safe to use, right? No lead or anything? Anyway, I always loved these -- they make me a little nostalgic.

    So do aluminum glasses -- I remember your mom's and drinking sweet tea from them. I was always partial to the pink one. Good times.

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  5. Thank you for joining us! What a beautiful way to display this wonderful china. I love the colors and the pattern. I have a fondness for dinnerware, and this is a real nice set.

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  6. I think this is a wonderful collection. My mother has a few pieces of her own mother's and she remembers the Jewel Tea salesman coming to the door. ~Kelly

    unDeniably Domestic

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  7. That's an awesome collection you have! Don't ever get rid of it!

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  8. The pattern is so cheerful! Thanks for sharing!

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  9. I think you did very well with your first 'Vintage Thingie Thursday' post.

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  10. What a stunning set..i epecially love the coffee pot & matching milk jug :)

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  11. Hi Joy. I think that's what makes vintage treasures such treasure. They may not be worth scads of money but oh the stories they have to tell!

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  12. Welcome-that is a beautiful collection of Autumn Leaves...Its wonderful that you have the different pitchers, creamers and the coffee pot too. At the end of September, I did a VTT post about the Jewel Tea Company cook booklet I have...unfortunately I don't have any of the china. :(

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