Blue Ridge Red Leaf small platter

Isn’t it funny how something that feels insignificant at the time turns into a major factor throughout your life? Mine is with Blue Ridge, also known as Southern Potteries. I found a box of very pretty dishes at a neighbor’s yard sale when I was in my teens. They wanted $15 for the service for four, so I got them. I knew nothing about them, other than they were pretty. Many years later, I found out they were old and collectible, so I bought a book that talked about where and how they were made (Erwin, TN, and hand painted by local women from the 1930’s to when they closed in 1957). Those women had painted thousands of different patterns, most of which were identified by a number, not a pattern name. To help avoid pattern confusion, the authors started giving names to the patterns. And I found out the dishes I had shared my name. Serendipity!! And so I started to buy (rescue) most any piece of Blue Ridge I see. And now I want some of it to find a new home as I downsize. This one is a small platter in the “Red Leaf” pattern, on a Clinchfield blank. The fact that it is unmarked on the bottom is perfectly normal - they didn’t mark platters or smaller pieces. I don’t know why, but they were pretty consistent about it. The Red Leaf platter measures approximately 11.5” in length and 8.75” wide. I did not find chips or crazing, just light utensil marks. It’s in great condition, especially when you take into consideration its age (probably over 80 years old).