VINTAGE TERCENTENNIAL SOUVENIR TIN PLATE JOHN SMITH & POCAHONTAS, 

JAMESTOWN, VA.'VIENNA ART PLATES, W. H. OWENS & CO., 

MANCHESTER, VA

(Circa 1907)

DESCRIPTION:

Jamestown Virginia Tercentennial Souvenir Vienna Art Plate 10" tin tray, circa early 1900's. John Smith, Pocahontas 1607 and 1907. Marked on back 'Vienna Art Plates, Pat. 1905, Copyrighted by W.H. Owens, Manchester, Virginia.' 

The Jamestown exposition was one of a series of international fairs staged throughout the United States following the success of the world's first, the Crystal Palace Exhibition in London in 1851. Organized to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Jamestown's founding, the expo was located approximately thirty-five miles down the James River, near Norfolk. Compared to fairs such as those in Philadelphia (1876), Chicago (1893), and St. Louis (1904), the Jamestown Exposition was neither a commercial success nor did it attract visitors in impressive numbers. In fact, the New York Times dubbed it "the most colossal failure in the history of expositions."

At the young age of 26, Captain John Smith is credited with making an accurate map of the northeastern coast from Penobscot, Maine, to Cape Cod; it was Smith who called the area “New England.” 

Marked: Vienna Art Plates, Pat. 1905, Copyrighted by W.H. Owens, Manchester, Virginia.

MEASURES: 

10" Diameter

CONDITION: 

Good to Very Good overall vintage condition. 

There's a slight bend on one of the plate sides. It's minor and no attempt has been made to bend it back. This of course can be done but we at least didn't want to disturb the piece or the image transfer. There's also some slight pitting and rusting on the surface, gathered in the lower right quarter. It's clearly stamped with a maker's label on the back.