1986 “Thanksgiving” Collector Plate by Jessie Willcox Smith – Edwin M. Knowles Fine China – Limited Edition

Celebrate the warmth of the harvest season with this 1986 limited-edition collector plate from the Jessie Willcox Smith Childhood Holiday Memories series, produced by Edwin M. Knowles Fine China.
Titled “Thanksgiving,” this second issue in the series captures the nostalgic charm of childhood through the eyes of a young boy standing amidst autumn corn stalks and pumpkins — a tender portrayal of gratitude and simplicity.

Crafted under the sponsorship of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and in cooperation with Good Housekeeping Magazine, each plate was fired for only ninety-seven days, ensuring its exclusivity and collectible value.
Beautifully bordered in warm gold and russet tones, this vintage plate adds timeless Americana character to any farmhouse, cottage, or harvest display.

Diameter: Approx. 8½”
Weight: 13.8 oz
Material: Fine China
Maker: Edwin M. Knowles
Year: 1986
Series: Jessie Willcox Smith “Childhood Holiday Memories” – Plate #2
Bradex No.: 84-K41-222.2
Edition: Limited to 97 firing days
Origin: U.S.A.
Jessie Willcox Smith (1863–1935) was one of America’s most beloved illustrators, known for her tender depictions of children and domestic life. Her work appeared in Good Housekeeping, Scribner’s, and Harper’s, and remains a hallmark of early 20th-century American illustration.
This plate series honors her legacy by translating her heartwarming imagery into collectible fine china art — a favorite among holiday collectors in the 1980s and 1990s.