COLLECTIBLES EXCLUSIVELY FOR RANDOLPH STREET MARKET BY NENA IVON, REPOSTED WITH PERMISSION

n 1863 President Lincoln proclaimed the fourth Thursday of November the nation’s official Thanksgiving Day. By the 1870s, America’s middle class celebrated the occasion with fine Thanksgiving china and turned to the English for delectable transferware patterns depicting the holiday’s bird of choice, the turkey — and their popularity continues to this day. At the time UK was having economic difficulties and knew the States gobbled up (pun intended) their special transferware so why not do stunning platters to celebrate this annual tradition. Our celebrations will be done with smaller groups and social distancing this year, but, in my opinion, our traditions are more important than ever.

Norman Rockwell’s “Freedom From Want” 1943. You can be sure this iconic painting’s star of the feast is presented on a treasured turkey platter.

When collecting look for vintage Spode, Wedgwood, Johnson Bros., Staffordshire, and others. As always, when collecting anything authentic, check labels, bottom of China, etc. and engage each dealer in conversation and absorb their expertise, alone worth the trip. In addition, don’t limit your search of “time specific” items to that month seek out treasures year round.

I thought it would be appropriate to continue our transferware journey with this fun collectible. Lots and lots of colors and styles many newer pieces are not transferware at all. Let’s look at some pieces and, of course, how they can be used in decor.

Not all feature the star of the feast… Tom Turkey… many feature autumnal themes such as the Horn of Plenty.

I want this for my green transferware collection and I don’t even do Thanksgiving at my home!

Gorgeous I think for any roast, don’t you agree!!

Or a winter scene.

But mostly turkeys…

Obsessed with this set…

Some modern pieces…

Some decor suggestions…

My absolute favorite stuffing, beyond delicious! Here is the recipe in its original form…you can see by its age it has been much loved! Since I no longer host Thanksgiving dinner, I do, however, help prepare the feast every year, we don’t do my dressing. We include my Hot Carrot Mold on the extensive menu, it has become part of the tradition.

All photos found on Pinterest photo credits unknown.