Decorative Plates|Collector’s Plates
There are many types of collectors in the world. People who collect decorative plates and other collector plates are a very diverse group. Some people enjoy collecting plates just for their beauty. They can be used in so many different ways to decorate around the home. Decorative plate hangers or plate racks allow people to mount and display their plates almost anywhere in their home that their imagination inspires them to decorate.
Others see the plates as a way to show off the work of a favorite artist. Thomas Kinkaid plates and Norman Rockwell plates are great examples of this. I don't know anyone who doesn't enjoy the unmistakable look of a Norman Rockwell painting. Plates like these are great because they not only capture special slice of life moments, but they also represent a piece of innocent Americana that seems to slip farther away every time you listen to a news report.
People also specialize by collecting plates that memorialize some "favorite" from their life. Elvis Presley, Wizard of Oz, Disney, Gone With the Wind and even Star Trek are examples of these. Collectible plates like these used to be offered on television quite often when I was growing up. The pitches for the plates still ring in my ears telling of a "limited number of special edition plates signed and numbered by the artist".
Depending on the type of decorative or collector plate you may have chosen to collect (or are choosing, if you are just starting out), the values may or may not have actually increased. There are quite a few collectible plates out there that have appreciated in value as time has passed. Of course, not every plate is going to become a sought after item, but every plate can have great value to the person who owns it.
Norman Rockwell Plate
Some people of course, have a more calculating approach to collecting plates. They see each decorative plate as an investment that they or their heirs will be able to sell off at some point for a profit. These people may pick and choose among makers or topics with no real interest in the plates themselves beyond future value. There is certainly nothing wrong with doing that, but they have a decidedly different approach than a person who collects just "favorites".
Some of the more popular plates prized by collectors include Pfaltgraff, Wedgewood, Noritake, and of course Bradford Exchange. Each type of plate has its own special characteristics that inspire people to collect and cherish them whether for beauty's sake or as an investment.
Because of the nature of collecting limited production items. there is now a huge market for people buying and selling both individual replacement plates and entire sets of collector's plates. The Bradford Exchange did an amazing job at bringing plates to the public. Today, eBay offers so much variety in the way of collectible plates that looking at a price guide, while still useful, can be somewhat of a moot point. If you have watched auctions for collectible plates on eBay at all, you have no doubt noticed that the same plate that goes for several hundred dollars one week, can often slip through the cracks and end up selling for a fraction of that amount during a different week when no one seems to be in the market for it. This can be a great thing for people looking to build a collection or to replace a broken favorite, but it does pose a bit of a challenge to those who are looking to sell off collections or replacements. Because of eBay's effect on the collectibles market, sellers may want to consider using a reserve price when listing on eBay. That will prevent the loss of a valuable plate for a price you can't live with comfortably.
Collectors of plates are a truly mixed lot of individuals. Some people have built up amazingly huge collections of plates worth thousands of dollars, while some may have only a few decorative plates that were left to them by their Grandmother. Whatever the case may be, enjoy your plates and be proud of your collection. They are a great way to show off a little bit of your personality while beautifying your home.