The People's Princess Diana: Queen of Our Hearts Collector Plate (Bradford Exchange)

This item is a collector's plate, the reverse side of which is clearly visible in the image. The plate appears to be made of porcelain or fine china, characterized by its smooth, glossy white surface. It is circular or oval in shape with a slightly raised rim, typical of decorative collector plates. The primary inscription on the back identifies it as 'The People's Princess' and 'Diana: Queen of Our Hearts.' It further states that it is the First issue in a commemorative collection produced on hard-fire porcelain, limited to a maximum of 95 firing days, and crafted to the exacting standards of The Bradford Exchange. The plate number '84-B11-135.1' is visible, along with 'Plate No. 1957A' in an earlier inscription. A distinctive 'B' logo, likely for The Bradford Exchange, is also present. The bottom of the inscription indicates a copyright of 'The Bradford Exchange 1997', establishing its estimated age. The text is framed by an ornate decorative border of small, interconnected elements, possibly a chain or floral motif, printed in a dark color like black or very dark brown. The overall condition appears excellent, with no visible chips, cracks, or significant wear to the glazed surface or printed text. Three small, circular indentations are visible on the base, likely from the manufacturing process (kiln support marks). The craftsmanship appears high quality, reflective of a collectible item from a reputable producer like The Bradford Exchange.

Upon visual examination of the provided image, I have assessed this Bradford Exchange collector plate, titled 'The People's Princess Diana: Queen of Our Hearts.' The plate is identified as the first issue in a commemorative collection, Plate No. 1957A, with a copyright date of 1997. Based on the clear inscriptions and markings, including the Bradford Exchange logo, the item appears authentic to its production series. The condition seems excellent, with no visible chips, cracks, or fading on the reverse side shown. The market for mass-produced collector plates from the 1980s and 1990s, including those from reputable makers like The Bradford Exchange, is generally soft. These items were produced in very large quantities—'limited' to 95 firing days still allows for hundreds of thousands of units—and supply far exceeds current collector demand. While Princess Diana remains a figure of immense public interest, the memorabilia market is saturated with similar plates. Comparable sales on online auction and secondary market sites for this specific plate and others in the series typically fall within the $20 to $40 range. The value is primarily sentimental rather than driven by rarity. My appraisal is limited as I have not physically handled the item. A full authentication would require in-person inspection to confirm the absence of hairline cracks or restoration not visible in photos. Confirming the presence of the original box and Certificate of Authenticity, which are not pictured, would place the item at the higher end of its value range but would not substantially increase it.