RARE 1939 Southern Pacific Lines Daylight SPRR Franciscan Grille Plate 9-3/8" For Sale
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Extremely rare round divided grille plate made by Franciscan Ware around 1939 for Southern Pacific Lines (SPRR) "Daylight" train service. Back-stamped Franciscan Ware and Southern Pacific Lines. Measures 9-3/8" and weighs 1 lb 14.9 oz. The Daylight operated from 1937 until 1974 and its iconic color scheme was orange, red, and black. Franciscan created this color as a softer version of the Daylight orange. The Franciscan china service was used only for a few years and then replaced by sturdier services such as Syracuse's Prairie Mountain Wildflowers. (Replacement was probably necessary as Franciscan's soft-clay method of that time was too fragile for railroad use.) Interestingly, SPRR tracks bordered the Gladding, McBean & Co. Glendale Plant's eastern property line where this plate would have been made. Condition is very good considering its age. I have tried to highlight all imperfections below but please message me if questions.
No cracks or crazing
Photos 3-4: thin line above backstamp -- not a crack or rough -- just a line
Photo 5: cloudy areas, like water marks. Not rough - just lightly discolored.
Photos 6-7: most prominent surface dings are on the vertical divider
Photo 8: tiny black spots near rim
Photos 9-10-11: chip on the edge. Not visible straight down but visible on side (photo 10) and on the underside (photo 11)
Photo 12: some tiny dings
Photos 13-14-15: several blackish streaks close to rim
