Antiques Roadshow

GUEST

This platter was left to me by my aunt, and it supposedly-- George Washington was served off this when his winter quarters were in Valley Forge. My aunt did the same type of work everyone here does. She was an appraiser for 50 or 60 years. And along the way, she managed to come up with this. And there was some connection between this and the Smithsonian at one time. I think they tried to get it when she ended up getting it. We have this letter from the, uh, lady that used to have the platter and her attorney. The fact that the gentleman's grandfather owned a tavern in Valley Forge is the reason they think that it's probably authentic.

APPRAISER

Well, the platter is made in what's called the transfer printing process. And this is a process that was developed in the 18th century. It involves having engravings that are then put onto a paper that is then put onto the porcelain. This particular kind of platter was made in Staffordshire, in England. There is a mark on the back of it that helps us identify. That little cartouge there with the word Pomerania in the middle. Pomerania is the name of the pattern. And Pomerania was on the Baltic Sea between where Germany and Poland are now. This platter because there is a particular Staffordshire factory that used that kind of cartouche. It's identifiable as having been made by John Ridgway. Now, the John Ridgway manufacturer was in business in the 1800s. So, unfortunately, since Washington--

Guest

Fake.

APPRAISER

--was at Valley Forge, um, I think the winter of 1777, '78...

GUEST

Correct.

APPRAISER

...it's not possible for him to have eaten off the platter.

GUEST

Okay.

APPRAISER

But the platter is not a fake. It is a perfectly authentic Staffordshire large-sized platter from what would have been a fairly extensive dinner service and very much the kind of thing that someone having a tavern would've had. So that's not to say that this gentleman's grandfather didn't have it in the tavern, I just don't think--

GUEST

Okay.

APPRAISER

--that he had it at the time that Washington was staying there.

GUEST

All right.

APPRAISER

It's probably worth around $400 or $500. And a full service of it would be very desirable.

GUEST

Okay.