Collecting Vintage Fiesta Ware:

First buy a good Fiesta Ware book. (I like Huxford's Encyclopedia of Fiesta) And, before you read it, look at the pictures. After that, use what you've already seen and the pictures you just looked at to decide what you like. When building your collection it isn't necessary to try to determine what's going to appreciate or depreciate in value. Remember, these are items you're most likely going to display--perhaps over many years. If they go up in value that's great, but what's most important is how they'll look on display. "Radioactive red" displays quite nicely so it is one of the most sought after colors.

When you're ready to start bidding/buying look at the piece carefully. It's far better to get a more common piece in perfect condition than a rarer piece that's a bit scruffy. Avoid any item with a serious crack. Remember though, what may look like a "flea bite" on the bottom of the piece may actually not be. It's quite possible it's a mark from where the pottery is held into place when it's being made. Also, note that many pieces are not marked Fiesta or HL China. Look for the Fiesta style--it's distinctive. Avoid buying Fiesta knockoffs. Many companies made knockoff Fiesta Ware in the 1930s as Fiesta got popular. These have a completely different look and are relatively easy to spot fortunately.

If you're not sure about the piece, don't buy it on impulse. Authenticate it. Check it out. If you're in a store, ask if you can snap a digital picture of it. Make sure it's the color that's specified. An unscrupulous or uneducated seller may describe the plate as being the scarce medium green when it's actually just green or possibly even chartreuse. Compare what you see with your book's picture (this can be difficult) or with what you already own. The next step is to authenticate the piece. There's a  price guide at http://www.happyheidi.com/antiques/Fiesta-Price-Guide.html that lists each piece and  the current approximate retail price. Another good thing about  using a price guide is that you can make sure that what the seller says it is can actually be what it is. For example, the seller may describe the piece as an individual salad bowl in cobalt blue. However, looking at the price guide you'll note that the individual salad bowl  wasn't ever made in cobalt. Most likely, if the piece is Genuine Fiesta, you're going to have a fruit bowl. But which one? They vary in value from $33 to $317. The proper identification of a piece can often decide whether or not you've got a good buy.

Finally, I'll repeat what I said earlier. Buy what you like. Fiesta's distinctive bright colors are fun and display very well. You can even use vintage Fiesta dishes to eat from. Since they're relatively inexpensive, dropping one of the plates won't be a serious crime. Fiesta ware makes a beautiful informal table for a dinner with friends. Mix the colors up. Set a cobalt plate with a chartreuse saucer and a red mug. Have fun! After all, it's a FIESTA!