The Fiesta Tableware Company, a 150-year-old West Virginia company, dishes out one of the most collectible products in the world.
IN 1936, THE NOW-ICONIC FIESTA LINE REVOLUTIONIZED TABLEWARE with its vibrant mix-and-match colors and creative shapes. For more than 86 years, legions of devoted collectors have passionately added new colors to their collections. The company has affectionately coined these fans their “plate flipper followers”—people who, when finding a piece at an antique store, auction, or yard sale, flip it over to check the backstamp to make sure it is authentic. They say, “Our backstamp assures a quality product, made in America by a fourth-generation family-owned company, using handcrafted artistry and sustainable processes. Our plate flipper following knows they are supporting a homegrown product. They also know they are supporting jobs—jobs of people who could be their friends and neighbors.”
Fiesta originally launched with red, green, ivory, cobalt, and yellow, and the following year, 1937, it added turquoise to the mix. These early pieces are highly sought-after. A complete set of mixing bowls goes for several thousand dollars, and 10-inch vases can sell on eBay for $1,000 to $1,200. Have you inherited classic Fiestaware pieces from your grandmother? Maybe a relish dish or covered soup bowls? Some are more rare than others, depending on color and condition, but take care, because you may be sitting on a golden egg—or rather, an egg cup.
So, join the scavenger hunt and be a plate flipper. Snap a picture of the official Fiesta backstamp, share it on social media, tag, and share where you found it. Be sure to use the hashtag #PlateFlippers.
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM WV LIVING’S WINTER 2022 ISSUE
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