June, rgtt AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 239 
“Old Capitol Washington,”’ destroyed by the “Capitol at Washington,” rebuilt after 1814 ““Mount Vernon, country seat of Gen. 
British in 1814 George Washington’”’ 
place it in the group of very rare plates. Without the not so many active collectors of historical blue ware as there 
medallion and Erie Canal view ‘‘St. Paul’s Chapel” is still a used to be. An overcharge is not dangerous in the case of 
hard plate to find and great rarities. In _ such 
worth about $150. It sold cases the asking price is 
several years ago at an auc- usually fixed by the owner 
tion sale for $210, but and the dealer merely acts 
since that time a few extra as a broker or agent. The 
ones have been found and collector accepts or refuses. 
the price has declined. Sometimes he makes a 
“St. Patrick’s Cathedral, lower bid. I beg to remind 
Mott “Street, N. Yi,” ap- you, however, that dicker- 
pears on a six-and-one- ing for such a piece is risky 
half-inch plate, also on the if you really want it. The 
sides of a small gravy matter of overcharging oc- 
pitcher. This view is a curs among the lower or 
very rare one. About ten middle grade of plates and 
years ago it was considered with inexperienced col- 
one of the scarcest of all lectors. An unscrupulous 
blue plates. Constant and dealer could easily get 
continuous searching has $50 for a plate worth 
brought to light about half $15 or $20 if the buyer 
madoven jor them. If a happened to be a credulous 
collector is without it and beginner. I have before 
one turns up for sale my me a list of thirty or more 
advice to him would be to very rare views which 
buy it. It is never wise I must pass by without 
to encourage a dealer in even a mention. It has 
asking extortionate prices been stated that interest- 
and if you think he is over- ing items of American 
charging you just refuse to ‘Governors Island’’ soup plate history are sometimes sug- 
deal with him. Never take gested by the views on 
this step, however, unless you do it intelligently. It would these old plates, and because of this the name “historical 
be well for dealers to keep in mind the fact that there are china” has clung to this ware. A few examples will illus- 
Wash bowl: “Arms of Maryland” “Church and buildings in Murray Street’ “Dr. Mason’s church in Murray Street’’ 
