The original AVON Christmas Plate series began in 1973 and ended in 1980 for a total of eight pieces.

The plates are 9" in diameter. In 1973 and 1974, the plates were packed in white boxes 10" square with lift off lids. The boxes changed beginning with 1975 and remained the same until the end of the series. The boxes became 9 3/4" square and loaded by sliding the foam inserts in from either of two ends. The boxes were labeled on the bottom and the top flap sides. The box color cycled through green, blue and gray for the next six years. The plates are for decoration only; not for food service.

This series has an error in numbering that few people have noticed, and, which makes the series unique. The year dates are in sequence but the numbers of the Edition are not. Look at Edition numbers Three and Four. This had to have been an error on AVON's part. A custom manufacturer, Wedgwood China in this case, makes the product exactly the way they are told.

The plate markings changed for 1978 and 1979 now reading:


The plate markings changed for 1980 to:


    
The next year, 1981, began the first release in the new  AVON "Christmas Memories" series.

All of the pieces in this series are available year around. Be patient and your pieces will cycle. Prices are higher beginning in November as the holidays approach.

An interesting variation from the above sequence is this plate arguably from the same series. This appears to be made for the French-speaking regions of Canada and/or for Europe. The variations include the size (8 1/2") and the word "AVON" at the top and the year only at the bottom.  The reverse displays a translation into French. This is first one of these that I have seen on ebay and commands attention.



Please drop me a line if you have any questions or comments.

I am not a dealer and I do not sell.

Ralph Vaughan