PAIR (2) of Antique Edwin M. Knowles China Co Covered Serving Dishes blue transfer set from Historic Guest House

Here is an extremely nice PAIR (2) of antique covered vegetable or serving dishes by the Edwin M. Knowles China Company with a history. This pair of dishes was part of the dinnerware service used at the Hallett`s Guest House in Historic Cheriton Virginia on the Eastern Shore which operated from 1943-1968. The house was purchased from the Upshur family in 1943. The dishes have been untouched, wrapped & packed and stored since 1970. They were just rediscovered in November 2012 and now put up for auction. I have not cleaned them so my photos show some dust on the handles. Please see photos for condition details.These two covered dishes were manufactured between 1901-1909 according to the makers mark and are marked semi vitreous. They are in very good condition with minor gold loss, no chips or cracks. The finials and handles are intact and very ornate. I have included in the photos, a copy of a postcard from the Hallett`s Guest House and a photo of the sign that hung beside the front door when it was in operation and will include them with the purchase. The Hallett Guest House was listed by Duncan Hines as seen on the sign below. This is a chance to own a piece of vanishing history. Please ask questions before bidding. There is a little history on the Edwin Knowles China Company provided by Robbins Nest below. Thanks for viewing.

SundayHistorical.com

History: "Edwin M. Knowles ( 1869-1943) was the son of Isaac Watt Knowles (1819-1902), a founder and partner of the firm Knowles, Taylor, and Knowles Co., which by the turn of the century had become the largest pottery in the world. Edwin Knowles' father had helped pioneer many inventions that revolutionized American dinnerware manufacture.

Edwin M. Knowles entered the pottery business after receiving his education at Allegheny College and Harvard University. He took control of the Potters Supply Company of East Liverpool, Ohio in 1890. By 1900, he became founder and president of the Knowles China Company, which soon changed its name to the Edwin M. Knowles China Co.

The Knowles facility, located in Chester, West Virginia, was described as a "model plant of the highest order." Edwin Knowles determined that his firm would manufacture only the finest semi-vitreous ware. One year later, product from the plant was lauded by the Crockery and Glass Journal as the highest grade ware: "weight is light, its finish the finest, its shapes graceful, its decorations artistic, and its body and quality most durable." Knowles' reputation for creating quality product became known throughout the industry. Demand for Knowles product grew. It wasn't long thereafter that plant No. 2 was erected, just two miles south of plant No. 1 along the Ohio River in Chester, West Virginia in Newell, West Virginia."