Made for the centennial celebration of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803; double handled with gilt rim, the plate's main feature- its center, includes the figurine of Lady France, with a flower and scepter in hand, to her right is Festival Hall and the Cascades, below her is an American Eagle, Mississippi figure with a barrel of water pouring out, to his left is the French flag and to the right the American Flag, below is a picture of Thomas Jefferson on left and Napoleon on right, in between them is the Eads Bridge that connected the East with the West, marked.

10.5 in.

The Lifelong Collection of Keith and Caroline Gray, Charlotte, NC. Keith and Caroline Gray were passionate about antiques, art, and history. Together they attended antique shows and auctions for decades – assembling a collection particularly strong on American coin silver, Asian art, historical documents, early images, and English ceramics. Both were longtime supporters of the Mint Museum in Charlotte, with Caroline serving in multiple capacities from docent to a member of the acquisitions board and trustee. Caroline translated her love of material culture into a successful career, becoming a certified property appraiser in Charlotte.

This plate was given to each of the Fair's 200 directors. Both Mermod & Jaccard Jewelry Co. of St. Louis and Semi Porcelain Edwin M. Knowles China Co. were involved in the plates creation. (http://atthefair.homestead.com/Misc/Souvenirs-PlatesChina.html)

Crazing and some loss to gilding.