General Lafayette Paddle Boat Sandwich Glass Museum Vintage Pairpoint Cup Plate

Description

General Lafayette Vintage Pairpoint Glass Cup Plate 44
Nautical Window Sill Decoration
Made in USA
This unique coaster size Pairpoint Glass lead crystal cup plate features The Lafayette, a local paddle wheel vessel. After George Washington, General Lafayette was the most popular Revolutionary War hero. The letters "SM" stand for Sandwich Museum. This plate started pressing in 1978 and ended in 1980 (mould was destroyed). The plates were made specifically for the Sandwich Historical Society, and were meant to be similar to the plates originally produced at the Boston & Sandwich Glass Co. The plate was made on a press from 1850. The cupcake photo is of a different cup plate and is for size illustration only.
Additional Information
Cup plates are small coaster size decorative glass art glass collectibles that measure about
3.5 inches
in diameter and .5 inches in height.
The pictures are taken close and could show blemishes that are not necessarily seen by the naked eye. The photos that show the greatest detail generally appear a little different than the actual color.
Made in America. The Pairpoint Glass Co. of Sagamore, MA, which is on Cape Cod, is the oldest glass making company in America. The company is well-known for manufacturing quality crystal cup plates since the 1920's.
Pairpoint cup plates are a unique work of art. Cup plates were signed with the Pairpoint trademark and the initials/monogram of the engraver. Using traditional freehand methods, the engraver worked directly in steel using a hammer and chisel. Using an antique press that made early cup plates, the vintage plates were hand pressed in 34% lead crystal. The majority of vintage crystal cup plates were commissioned by historical societies, museums, churches, and other non-profit organizations.
Pairpoint graded their plates at the factory. First quality plates, which came with a Pairpoint label/sticker, were the most desirable. It is normal that first quality plates may have handcrafted characteristics such as a swirl in the center of the plate, small lines not part of the design, bubbles, specks or tiny flecks. If a plate has a sticker, it will be visible in a photo or mentioned in the description. Sometimes the sticker/label was removed by the original owner, so I mention the grading process only as a guideline.
Today cup plates may be used as window sill decorations as the vintage glass art look lovely displayed on a window sill with the light shining through. Other uses include:
Dinner table butter pat, tea bag, or mint dishes
Guest favors for weddings or showers
Guest soap, ring, trinket, or vanity dishes
Small coaster size plates for gourmet appetizers, chocolates, or cupcakes
Eclectic glass for stained glass or other art glass projects
Shipping
Cup plates are bubble wrapped in vintage boxes that are packed and mailed promptly. The vintage boxes may be stained and have handwriting or labels.
Priority Mail is available
If I mail 3 or more listings to you at once, I automatically upgrade to free Priority Mail
I offer international shipping via eBay's Global Shipping Program
Shipping and import charges are calculated and paid for by the buyer upon checkout
About me as a Seller
The majority of the cup plates I sell belonged to my mother, who was an early member of Cape Cod's Pairpoint Cup Plate Collectors of America (PCPCA). She collected many vintage cup plates, and had most, if not all, of the limited editions. I enjoy offering cup plates to people who appreciate this unique form of art glass.
Be sure to check my other items for current listings.
Visit My eBay Store: Cup Plates
where I have hundreds of vintage cup plates available. If you are looking for a specific plate or more of a listed design, let me know. If I have the cup plate, I will list it (I have many that are not listed).