To some people, a plate is nothing more than something they place their food on. But to others, they are something else. These people understand that there is more to collector plates than meets the eye.

Over the years, hundreds of companies have produced collector plates. However, only a few of them are well known. Here are three of the top manufacturers:

·      Wedgewood: While Wedgewood collector plates are among the most beautiful you’ll find, they don’t hold quite as much value as some others. For example, a quick search online will show you that a set of Wedgewood plates will only set you back $100 to $200. But even so, you shouldn’t write these plates off. They’re a nice addition to any collection.

·      Bing & Grondahl: This manufacturer was first to the party in 1895 with its release of the “Behind the Frozen Window” collector plate. A first edition of this plate sells for anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 in good to excellent condition. In the world of collector plates, Bing & Grondahl is king.

·      Royal Doulton: Many plates from this manufacturer are nearly 100 years old, with some of the earliest pieces produced in the 1920’s. Depending on the age, artwork and condition, collector plates from Royal Doulton typically sell between a few dollars and $500.

It doesn’t matter if you’re new to collecting these plates or have been doing so for years, you can’t go wrong when you add a piece from one of these manufacturers.

Final tip: shop for collector plates at local estate sales and garage sales, as this is often the best way to find a hidden gem.

Four Sales is the leading estate sale company in Virginia, DC and Maryland. For the past 40 years, Four Sales has conducted over 3,000 estate sales in Virginia, DC and Maryland. Four Sales estate sales headquarters is in Alexandria, Virginia with regional offices in Charlottesville, Virginia and Annapolis, Maryland.