AUTUMN IS A SECOND SPRING WHEN EVERY LEAF IS A FLOWER. ALBERT CAMUS

{HISTORY}

Just a couple of years before Salem China Co. closed their doors forever in 1967, they made this dishware pattern called Maple Leaf.

In those days, if you were a frequent shopper at your local grocery or hardware store, you'd see Maple Leaf pieces advertised in the sales section, where you could complete your entire set piece by piece, week by week at discounted prices. Typically with every $5.00 you spent on groceries, one piece of dishware would be available for a deeply discounted price (usually between $0.10-$0.20 per dish). Generally, the promotion would run over the course of three months, and each week a new dish from the pattern would be the featured discount item of the week. This type of promotion gave shoppers ample time to build up their collections at affordable prices. 

It's easy to see how Maple Leaf would have been an ideal pattern for such a promotion. With its year-round appeal and soft, neutral color palette, it had widespread adaptability that could change with the seasons with just a few minor decor adjustments. 

Here in the Vintage Kitchen, we love this pattern for its wispy, willowy, delicate design and color arrangement. The leaves look almost handpainted and there is gorgeous contrast between the light green and dark brown shades. Imagine serving a warm piece of coffee cake on these plates to visiting friends on a cold, blustery day. Or delighting your family with slices of apple pie from the first crisp crop of the apple season. It can be tricky sometimes to find small plates that make a brown brownie look pretty or a simple chocolate chip cookie look especially delightful - but thanks to the contrasting green and brown, most desserts will look lovely against this leafy backdrop. 

*NEWSPAPER CLIP COURTESY OF THE NEVADA STATE JOURNAL FEBRUARY 25, 1965

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Matching set of four

- Colors include sage, mint, nutmeg, walnut, butter, and lemon

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition. There are no chips or cracks. 

{SIZE}

Each plate measures 6" inches in diameter and weighs just under 5 oz.