One Of Lenox's Longest-Running Patterns Is Also One Of The Most Valuable

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The rich history of Lenox makes every dish they create special, especially to those who collect their iconic porcelain wares. While some people start — or add to — their collection by purchasing new Lenox china, others prefer the thrill of finding coveted vintage pieces. One example of a pattern that Lenox enthusiasts are always on the lookout for is Autumn, a classic harvest-themed design replete with vibrant fruit and flowers. Dishware adorned with the Autumn pattern first went on sale in 1919, and the pattern remains popular today. Authentic vintage Autumn-patterned pieces can fetch high prices on the resale market. After all, Lenox is a home decor brand that will win you over with nostalgia.

As mentioned, Lenox has produced dishes with the Autumn pattern for over 100 years. It's one of just four patterns from Lenox's earliest collections still in production. Most other early patterns were retired following the sale of the brand to American Lava Corporation in 1947. The pattern combines pretty florals in blues, reds, and yellows with a cornucopia of fruit. Autumn-adorned dishes have more blue than is typical of Lenox patterns, while 24K gold accents add a touch of elegance. Because the pattern has remained largely unchanged since the turn of the 20th century, it's relatively easy to find matching pieces to build a collection. You can buy an entire set to get started quickly or build your collection slowly as you find pieces while thrifting.

Lenox's sought-after Autumn pattern is one of the vintage kitchen dishware items you should always look for at thrift stores. However, if you are hoping to stumble across authentic plates and teacups — or even better, an entire table setting — while thrifting, you could be in for a long wait. Plus, you need to be even more careful to ensure your find is authentic than when purchasing dishes from an antique store or online reseller. Lenox pieces produced before 1926 can be identified by a black backstamp; the backstamp changed to green after this date. Later, around midcentury, Lenox dishware started to feature a gold backstamp. Newer Autumn-patterned plates are made from porcelain that's a slightly darker shade of ivory. In short, if you're new to collecting Lenox tableware, be prepared to do your research.

Want a tip on how to tell if thrift store dishware is valuable? Familiarize yourself with the current prices of vintage Lenox dishes. Prices vary depending on many factors, so it's worth comparing offerings from different sellers before buying. You can typically find better deals if you look for single pieces or partial sets to build a collection. For example, this set of four Lenox Autumn dinner plates with gold backstamps is selling for $199.99 on Etsy. On eBay, there's a 10-piece service set, also with gold backstamps, for $224.95. If these prices seem exorbitant, you can look for single pieces to build your collection at a lower upfront cost. However, some individual pieces are rare finds, such as the discontinued Lenox Autumn footed mug, available on eBay for $79.99.