Now that her father was an itinerant worker, janey didnt have a home she could call her own or any real friends, as her family had to keep moving, following the crops from farm to farm. The first thing janey shows lupe is her one important possession a blue willow plate. The following description from a website named tudor house that no longer connects gives the history of the blue willow dishes and contains phrases that can be found interspersed also among the other blue willow poems readers have sent it. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. The set is most probably from the 1940s or 1950s and from japan, though it is not marked. Now that her father was an itinerant worker, janey didnt have a home she could call her own or any real friends, as her family had to.
To janey larkin, the blue willow plate was the most beautiful thing in her life, a symbol of the home she could only dimly remember. Blue willow is the quintessential story plate, illustrating the tragic tale of two lovers. A young girl, janey has one treasured possession, a blue willow plate. The plate pictures a stand of willow trees, a river, a bridge and three people. Blue willow has been a popular transferware design since the late 1700s, being reproduced with variations ever since. To janey larkin, the blue willow plate was the most beautiful thing in. I would also like to offer thanks to sharon who sent me a very interesting history on blue willow, part of which i plan to add to my web site in the near future. A history of the blue willow pattern begins the book with descriptions of the many border and center patterns of this china. The blue willow pattern comes to represent janeys dream of a permanent home. Janeys treasured blue willow plate is her means of hanging onto the past with. The lovers, overtaken on the bridge by her father, are transformed by the gods into birds and flutter beyond his reach. Aug 7, 20 the willow pattern book on youtube tells story that is illustrated on the blue willow plate. Thanks so very much for your time and for the information that you so freely shared with. Collecting antique and vintage plates and dishware hobbylark.
Blue willow by doris gates 9780140309249 beautiful feet books. The scene with its willow tree covers the central part of plate, dish or bowl, with a border of butterflies, daggers, a fret or other motif. To determine the value of antique blue willow dishes, examine their backs for markings that identify them as genuine blue williow items. Blue willow bookshop serves west houston as well as the greater houston area with opinionated advice and our favorite books, games and gifts. In fact, the term blue plate special comes from the blue willow plates commonly used in restaurants and diners back in the 1920s thru the 1950s. Written by a librarian who worked with migrant children in fresno, california, this story of a. Blue willow is the perfect book to jump start a young girl to read, instead of watching tv. As the family moves from place to place to earn a less than meager living, janey and her family experience hardships that are common to itinerant farm laborers.
They were old fashioned when your grandparents were children and are as beautiful now as they were 200 years ago. Consult a blue willow book, such as mary frank gastons gastons blue willow. The term was very common from the 1920s through the 1950s. Called the juvenile grapes of wrath, it was named a newbery honor book in 1941. Make offer churchill blue willow england3 piece setdinner plate, cup, saucer. My son is homeschooled and this book will fit perfectly with our study of ca history. I grew up taking my meals from, and watching that familiar, yet mysterious oriental scene of the lake, the three figures crossing the bridge near the big.
The prominent sheffield england firm of saw makers 18371957 used the willow pattern as one of their brands. The original copper plate, worn to the thinness of paper, the first and earliest rendering of this celebrated deisgn, is preserved at coalport, a. Search online for author events, books to order, recommendations or the newest book club pick. Such books list the company that created a piece, when. A beginners guide to collecting blue willow ruby lane blog. Lot of 6 vintage unmarked blue willow salad plates7 14 diameter.
I felt a connection with janey and blue willow became one of my favorite books for life. Blueplate special or blue plate special is a term used in the united states and canada by restaurants, especially diners and cafes. Login for faster checkout login dont have an account. My kitchen theme revolves around my blue willow canister set. Janey treasures her blue willow pattern plate, the only item left.
These elements are a willow tree, an orange or apple tree, two birds, people on a bridge, a fence, a boat and a teahouse, which some collectors call a pagoda. The struggles janey had are not any different then many girls of today. Make offer vintage new churchill england blue willow big chop plate serving platter. Blue willow dishes were front row for both the creation. Over 650 color photographs of bowls, ashtrays, plates, pitchers, vases, platters, sugar bowls, and much more are included. They produced their blue willow italian design from 1816 until the present. Who, in childish curiosity, has not wondered what those three persons in dim blue outline did upon that bridge. The blue plate special which started at diners in the 1920s typically featured a big meal for a great price, served up on a blue plate.
It also won the silver commonwealth club of california book award. The history of chinas willow pattern by design abc. Turner made a specialty of chinese designs in blue underglaze. Blue willow china has graced the tables of british aristocrats, the frontier homes of american pioneers and the gleaming counters of art deco.
Janey tells lupe the story of the plate as its been told to her. The blue willow pattern is a blueandwhite transfer design that features a collection of engraved drawings that illustrate a chinese fable about two lovers from different stations in life. The design usually includes a bridge with people on it, a. She is most excited at the fair to see a large display of books. Blue willow bookshop west houstons neighborhood book shop. Originally created in 1780 in england, the blue willow pattern has become one of the most popular patterns in the world, gracing the tables of everyone from british aristocrats to everyday americans. Book warp 1 reading blue willow artwife needs a life. Pure country weavers willow blue large soft comforting china throw blanket with artistic textured design cotton usa 72x54 4. The authors childhood fascination with the classic blue and white willow pattern on a jug owned by his parents inspired this absorbing and distinctive story told. The willow pattern book on youtube tells story that is illustrated on. Janey had to move a lot and she had a plate that reminded her about her greatgreat grand father.
Now janey and her parent are migrants, picking crops in the san joaquin valley in california, moving on every few months. Identification and value guide, to learn about what the markings indicate. Arts, visual and performing education childrens art curricula plates tableware decoration and finishing. I think that the book is trying to tell you about hard work. Story of an immigrant farm family, set in the san joaquin valley in the early 1900s.
They have little more than the clothes on their back except for the blue willow plate. Dating blue willow and collecting blue willow are discussed, and all known marks are illustrated. Blue willow china is delicate, classic and tells a mythical love story. My father had wanderlust and i had lived in many places and slept in many different types of bed. Blue willow is a realistic childrens fiction book by doris gates, published in 1940. Her most treasured possession is a blue willow plate that had once belonged. The titular blue willow plate, a gift from her greatgrandmother, is the prized possession of janey larkin, the young daughter of a migrant worker family. Located on the edges of the energy corridor and memorial neighborhoods, we have staffers and loyal readers from katy, spring branch, memorial. In parting with it, janey learns the meaning of true love.
Her most prized possession is a beautiful, blueandwhite chinese pagoda plate, with a blue willow design, given to her by. In the 1940s i was a third grader in the seattle area. How to start collecting blue willow china dinnerware on ebay. My everyday dishes are a supermarket premium blue willow pattern, most probably made. I have funny books and sad books, historical books and fantasy books, fiction. Whose fortunes told in blue upon the willow pattern plate. Blue willow is an important fictional account of the dust bowl and the great depression, and has been called the grapes of wrath for children. The company has introduced several blue willow designs. I am an art teacher and i used this book along with my art project on chinese pottery with the blue and white patterns. A 1931 newbery honor book, it is quite refreshing to read this tale of a young girl tired and weary of moving with her father and mother from job to job, place to place, with no roots. On older examples and seconds you will often find spots on a plate where the transfer has slipped, creased.
Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Written by a librarian who worked with migrant children in fresno, california, this story of a migrant girl who longs for a permanent home was considered groundbreaking in its portrayal of contemporary workingclass life in america. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you. The willow pattern is an oriental pattern, most often seen in blue and white, that features common elements from manufacturer to manufacturer. Excellent introduction to the dust bowl, great depression, and the developing. Many believe that the preferred dish was the blue willow grill plate which had separated areas for an entree and sides.
Kung shi fairs remorseful father commissions a blue willow plate that tells the story, so. Blue willow was a newbery honor book, won the lewis carroll shelf award in 1961, and was named one of the best books of the year by horn book magazine. Swansea from 1811 to 1870, swansea produced dinnerware, and collectors often seek their blue willow dishes for sale. The blue plate special used blue willow grill plates. At times the pattern seems difficult to find from local retail sources, and now is one of those difficult times. Even though this book was written over sixty years ago. A plate of willow ware, the familiar household pattern, is the subject of one of the intalgiogravure pictures illustrating china and pottery of our forefathers. Janey has one prized possession, a blue willow plate given to her a long time ago. Blue willow see history and lore and overall blue willow index, first made in england over 200 years ago, is said to be americas favorite patterned ware. Thomas turner, who went from worcester in 1772 to caughley in shropshire, brought his factory into prominence. It refers to a lowpriced meal that usually changes daily. The blue willow manuscript is held in the may massee collection at emporia state university 256.
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