Edwin M. Knowles Collector Plate (not authenticated)

This item is a circular ceramic collector plate housed within a dark-stained wooden mounting frame secured by metal clips. The back of the white glazed plate features extensive black printed text and markings that appear to be directly readable from the image. At the top right is a maker's mark reading 'AMERICA'S OLDEST 1854 Edwin M. Knowles NEWELL, W. VIRGINIA U.S.A. FINE CHINA'. Below this, the primary text reads: '1985 PLATE NUMBER 8623H OF "GETTING TO KNOW YOU," BY WILLIAM CHAMBERS, THIRD PLATE IN "THE KING AND I" SERIES. THE FIRST COLLECTOR'S PLATE SERIES OFFICIALLY AUTHORIZED BY THE ESTATES OF RICHARD RODGERS AND OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II TO COMMEMORATE THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATER. PAINTED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THIS LIMITED EDITION BY WILLIAM CHAMBERS FOR FINE CHINA BY EDWIN M. KNOWLES AND STRICTLY LIMITED TO A FIRING PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED ONE HUNDRED FIFTY FIRING DAYS.' Further down, it lists 'RELEASED BY:' followed by facsimile signatures reading 'Dorothy Rodgers' and 'Dorothy Blanchard Hammerstein', along with copyright and trademark notices for Williamson Music Company, 20th Century Fox Film Corporation, and Rodgers & Hammerstein, and a 'Bradex Number 84-K41-11.3'. The wooden frame includes a metal triangular hanging bracket affixed to the top reverse. The attribution in the name rests on the clearly legible printed maker's mark and descriptive text on the reverse side of the plate.

Based on what I can see in the image, this item is a circular ceramic collector plate housed in a dark-stained wooden mounting frame, bearing markings and text consistent with the Edwin M. Knowles 'Getting to Know You' plate from 'The King and I' series issued in 1985. I cannot verify from a photo alone whether the plate is a period-correct issue or a later reproduction, as photographs cannot capture ceramic composition, glaze integrity, or exact manufacturing age. The basis for the value estimate assumes the item corresponds to the referenced 1985 limited edition production by Edwin M. Knowles. General market demand for 1980s decorative collector plates is modest, as secondary market supplies generally exceed current collector interest, keeping prices relatively low. To fully evaluate and support the estimated value, physical inspection would be needed to confirm condition, framing quality, and overall preservation. If this item were to turn out to be a replica, modern copy, or unattributed decorative piece rather than an official issue, the market value would likely decrease to nominal decorative value, typically in the $5-$15 range. This estimate depends entirely upon physical authentication; an unauthenticated piece of this type typically commands a lower price in the current market.