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How to Trade Collector Plates

The collectible plate is one of our more curious traditions. No matter what one's opinions of it are, there seems to be one in every family waiting to be passed down to the next generation. Across the years these plates have appeared with thousands upon thousands of designs, so much so that there must be one that would hold interest in one area (beauty, aesthetics, nostalgia, history, style) for everyone. If the plate you have doesn't fit your style, trade it for one that does.

Things You'll Need

Internet connection
Digital camera
Warm soapy water
Sponge
Magnifying glass

Instructions

- 1
  
  Collectible plates can be found with any number of enchanting scenes.
  
  Find out what you really have. Before you can trade your collectible plate, you need to know its history. It's not enough to know what the picture is on the front or that your mother gave it to you as a wedding gift. You need to know who made it, in some cases the artists involved, and when it was created.
  
  To begin, locate the maker's mark (usually on the bottom of the plate). This is usually in the form of the studio name and a symbol or mark. If the plate is dusty or the markings are obscured, use warm soapy water and gently clean any of the covered areas.
  
  After you have cleaned the plate, you will also find it helpful to take pictures, not only of the plate as a whole, but also of the marking.
- 2
  
  Every collectible plate tells a story of the time it was produced.
  
  Use the Internet, or your local library's reference section, to ascertain any detail you can on the maker and artisan behind your plate. If the mark includes a name you can start your search with that; if it is primarily a symbol you may need to reach out to a plate collector's organization. These can be located through an Internet search.
  
  There are also several books for plate collectors that carry detail by marking. Your local librarian can help you locate those.
- 3
  
  Plate sets should be kept together as that increases their desirability.
  
  Locate the item for which you want to trade. This can be done by performing a broad Internet search under the terms "trading collectible plates." If you are looking for a specific style of plate, be sure to incorporate that into your search terms, for example "trading collectible Disney plates."
  
  You will find that while many collectors and dealers have plates that they buy and sell, there are those that are willing to trade.
- 4
  
  Collectible plates can be an attractive decorative addition to any living space.
  
  Make your offer. With all of the background information you have obtained pertaining to the maker's history and the images of your plate, contact the collector of the plate you wish to trade for. Explain your proposal and don't be afraid to include any of the plate's post-creation history (such as if it was brought over from another country by your Grandmother) as this can only add to the plate's overall attractiveness.
  
  Once you have an agreement on the trade you can ship your plate off and receive in return an exciting new item to add to your collection.

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