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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

A Table for Presidents' Day

Before I began visiting Tablescape Thursday at Susan's Between Naps on the Porch, it would NEVER have occurred to me to set a special table for Presidents' Day.  For one thing, we don't get that day off, so it's just a regular work day, albeit it one without mail service.  But when I unpacked some blue and white souvenir plates from my mother-in-law's collection, I realized I had the basics for a Presidents' Day table.  (Since they are souvenirs, we'll remove them and use the white dinner plates for the meal!).

All four plates have a different design.  The first one features Martha and George Washington, the Capitol, and several other scenes from Washington, D.C.  When I Googled the markings on the back of the plate, I was surprised to find one just like it listed for $135!  It's described as a flow blue souvenir plate made in Staffordshire, England, "imported exclusively for the Capitol Souvenir Company."

The second plate features Abraham Lincoln, and Googling the marks on the back yielded the information, "This is a fine Dutch flow blue souvenir plate commemorating President Abraham Lincoln’s death. The words under the Lincoln portrait read: “Abraham Lincoln/Born February 18, 1809, Died April 15, 1865”. The back of the plate says Lincoln’s House, Springfield, Illinois over the Sphinx mark of Petrus Regout and Co. Maastricht." The plate is listed for $78.  

The third plate has a very similar, though not identical, border design, but features George Washington and Mount Vernon.  I was unable to find any information online about it, although the markings indicate the same maker as the Lincoln plate.
The fourth plate features Independence Hall in Philadelphia and is by Liberty Blue.  It is in plentiful supply online, but I really like the border design.

So, there's plenty of blue and white for a Presidents' Day table, but we need some RED!  My in-laws gave me this pretty blue and white cachepot from the Williamsburg catalog one Christmas, and a few carnations supply the red.

And we need a little MORE red, so I added the napkin rings my daughter gave me this past Christmas, each holding one red carnation. 

Here's a look at the whole table.  The tablecloth is from Williams-Sonoma, and it's designed to fit my patio table.  If you look closely, you can see the buttoned seam that allows it to fit around an umbrella. 

Once again, I'm using the new-ish blue Villeroy and Boch water glasses, as well as some blue glass candlesticks that my mother gave me years ago.  I think they work well together! 
 Here's a closer look at the darling clear acrylic napkin rings, holding a napkin from Williams-Sonoma. 
 Another view. . .
 I like this shot of all the different patterns the table includes.  You just can't go wrong with blue and white!
Thank you for visiting my table this week!  I hope you will leave a comment before you leave to visit all the wonderful tablescapes at Susan's Between Naps on the Porch!



26 comments:

  1. Wonderful! I love your plates. I think they would be lovely even if they didn't have such monetary value. That little discovery is an added bonus.

    The lines are so pretty. I would love to have some in those patterns, especially that tablecloth.

    But my favorite thing is the little vase napkin rings. I've never seen anything at all like them. I really want some!

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  2. Great plates for a Presidents' Day table...can you believe this month is more than half over, already!
    Love the tablecloth...cute napkin rings.

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  3. What a great tablescape for President's Day! I love the blue and white and like the fact that each plate is a different scene.
    It looks so pretty with the red added in.
    Where did your DIL get those adorable napkin rings?

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  4. I love how you used the souvenir plates. I'll have to keep my eyes open when I visit estate sales and see if I can find some along the same lines!

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  5. The presidential plates are magnificent. I love the linens too. How great to be able to enjoy this table with you.

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  6. Nice collection! Great idea for President's Day...I love the Villeroy and Boch glasses and the napkin rings..you created a great tribute!

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  7. So patriotic and such beautiful colors together. Very nice.

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  8. Love your blue and white.. Those plates are real treasures.. Great napkin rings too. Your whole table looks splendid.

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  9. Those plates are so cool! And the blue is just stunning! Great tablescape!

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  10. Your table looks great, Tricia! Love all 4 plates, love the tablecloth, and the pops of red! Very pretty napkins too. Tricia, I really like this table. I am a big fan of blue so this really appeals to me.
    blessings, Beth

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  11. Love your linens and those plates are beautiful. I love the rich cobalt floral borders.

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  12. Tricia...what a wonderful idea!!! Your dishes are beautiful and the whole table is great. I never knew there were "presidential" dishes, other than at the White House! Those blue glasses are really pretty. It all comes together beautifully.

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  13. I would probably have never purchased souvenir plates, and aren't you thrilled that your MIL did buy them. They are completely wonderful! I love the thought of a table to acknowledge President's day, although I still prefer to honor Washington and Lincoln independently. My grandfather was Henry Clarence Madden. He was County Judge for Harmon County, Oklahoma. He retired when he was 97 and went into private practice until his death at 99...always makes me smile. My grandmother and he were in the Oklahoma Land Run in 1889. They had traveled here from Nebraska. Wouldn't that be fun if we were distant cousins...probably numerous times removed. He was born in 1874, in Pennsylvania. He had one sister, Nettie. His father was Joseph. Thanks for stopping by my post. Cherry Kay

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  14. Love those plates! Not only are they blue and white (the best) they are so beautiful. this is a beautiful "Present's Day" table. I never thought of that. I absolutely love that tablecloth and I certainly am having a bad attack of napkin ring envy. Tell us where she found those darlings. Hugs, Ginger

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  15. Thanks for dropping by my blog! Love, love the President plates. Looking forward to more pics.

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  16. Great table Tricia-never would have thought to use commemorative plates that way. Thanks for sharing.

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  17. What a PERFECT table for President's Day. I oohed and ahhed my way through every picture. Lovely.

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  18. What a great presidents table, Tricia. I love patriotic settings and this sure passes for one...Christine

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  19. Your collector plates are the perfect thing for your President's Day table. I am going to have to get some of those napkin rings if they can be had! The whole table is fresh, pretty and well put together.

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  20. I love your tablescape celebrating Presidents Day! Your Red, White and Blue details are beautiful. I really like the napkin rings with the red carnation! Very unique. ~Susie

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  21. OMG Tricia...they're gorgeous those plates! They're a real treasure, you're so lucky to have them! WOW, WOW, WOW!!! What a great idea for President's Day...actually, only you can really do it perfectly with those beautiful plates.
    Come visit my Asian Tablescape on this Thurs. I'll be thrilled!
    XOXO
    FABBY

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  22. Hi Tricia!

    Go good to hear from you! I just this minute got a chance to view your table (have been busy all day and out this evening). That is such a great idea to do a President's Day table! I just love those presidential plates; they are real treasures to pass down to your children. I love anything to do with our early history, founding fathers, etc. Your candlesticks go so well with your blue goblets, and your silver is so elegant! I'm starting to wish we had registered for silver when we got married, but, oh well. Finally, the blue and white cache pot is just perfect with the red carnations -- just a very nice tablescape.

    Hugs,

    Denise

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  23. Hi, Tricia!!! Those plates...fabulous! Absolutely fabulous! PERFECT for patriotic holidays! I love the way you added the red to the vignette to give it a little boost. Very nice! Amazing what great tablescaping treasures exist in the collections of our relatives! :-) Thanks for stopping by my blog yesterday, and I hope you enjoy the upcoming weekend!

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  24. Hi Tricia...

    again a very different and beautiful tablescape you have presented I don't know the that what President Day is but I love the colour you choose for it. plates are extra fab... love the table cloth very much and a bit touch of Red gives your table very beautiful touch of liveliness ...
    Can you please spare a little bit of your time for my new post, its something different I hope you enjoyed
    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
    Love
    Farah

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  25. Another lovely table, Tricia. How wonderful to have these souvenir plates from your MIL. Thanks for sharing. ~ Sarah

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  26. Gorgeous tablescape with all the great elements! I am so jelous of those fabulous patriotic dishes. You were so lucky your Mil kept the souvenir plates and now you will keep them with love and care. Have a good week.
    FABBY

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