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Up for your consideration is a remarkable, beautifully preserved lot of two (2) antique 1914 calendar advertising plates. These pieces are stunning examples of early 20th-century American decorative pottery and local Kentucky retail history.
Manufactured by the prestigious D.E. McNicol Pottery Company of East Liverpool, Ohio, these plates utilize the company's famous "Carnation" semi-porcelain blank mold. This design is highly sought after by collectors for its elegant scalloped edges, delicate gold-gilded trim, and a vibrant border featuring a full 12-month calendar for the year 1914 intertwined with colorful floral sprays and bluebirds.
What makes this specific lot an extraordinary piece of Bluegrass history is the merchant imprint stamped at the base of both pieces: "With Best Wishes From A. V. McGill".
Historical records place A. V. McGill as a prominent merchant operating a vital General Store in Spring Lick, Grayson County, Kentucky. General stores of this era were the economic and social hearts of rural Kentucky railroad towns. Around Christmas of 1913, Mr. McGill handed these out to loyal local farming families to guarantee his shop stayed top-of-mind throughout 1914. While isolated regional calendar plates occasionally turn up, securing a companion pair from the exact same local Kentucky merchant distribution that managed to stay together for over 112 years is exceptionally rare.
The central artwork on both plates features transfer prints from the celebrated American wildlife artist R.K. Beck, known for his realistic and lifelike depictions of North American game birds.
1. Plate 1: Northern Bobwhite Quails
* Subject: A beautiful male and female Bobwhite Quail resting in tall, green prairie grass.
* Artist Signature: Features the "R.K. Beck" signature integrated into the lower-middle print glaze.
2. Plate 2: Helmeted Guinea Fowl
* Subject: A detailed pair of spotted Guinea Fowl (one alert hen and one cock pecking the ground) against a rolling countryside field.
* Artist Signature: Features the "R.K. Beck" signature integrated into the lower print glaze.
The reverses of these plates feature the crisp, authentic, brown-stamped maker's mark reading "Carnation / McNicol", ensuring their provenance and historical verification.
* Overall Grade: Excellent Antique Condition considering these are over a century old.
* Graphics: The central game bird transfer prints are bright, clear, and incredibly crisp with minimal fade. The 1914 calendar borders are completely legible.
* Porcelain: No major structural cracks, structural chip ON ONE PLATE.
* Gilding: The delicate gold ON ONE IS VERY NICE AND THE OTHER IS FADED WITH honest age-related wear/rubbing as is expected for authentic pieces of this vintage.
* Seller Note: Please review the high-resolution photos carefully to assess glaze characteristics, light age crazing, and manufacturing artifacts common to early 1900s semi-porcelain.
These pieces of American history will be packed with the utmost care to ensure safe transit. Insured shipping with tracking is included.
Don't miss the chance to own an intact piece of Grayson County, Kentucky heritage. Buy It Now to add this rare, matched merchant pair to your collection!
* Type: Calendar Plate / Antique Advertising Plate
* Year Manufactured: 1914
* Brand / Pottery: D.E. McNicol Pottery Co.
* Pattern / Blank Shape: Carnation
* Artist: R.K. Beck (Signed in transfer)
* Theme: Game Birds / Early Kentucky Retail Advertising / Regional History
* Material: Semi-Porcelain / Ceramic
* Country/Region of Manufacture: United States (Pottery made in East Liverpool, Ohio; Distributed in Grayson County, KY)
* Number of Items in Lot: 2
