This series began in 1991 and continues through 2007. The 24kt gold trimmed plates are 10 1/2" in diameter and are in a see-thru lift off box. Box colors vary from year to year. The plates are as excellent in quality as LENOX has ever produced. These are for display purposes only and not for food service.

The theme and design are very simple. The design in the center of the plate is a beautiful Christmas tree based upon countries around the world. The ornamentations incorporate items associated with the country. The 16th plate in the series from Japan, for example, has parasols, fans, wind chimes and origami birds as decorations on the trees.

The rim has a wonderful design of garlands, boughs and other topical objects specific to the country. In the bottom front portion of the rim of each plate, the name of the country and the year appears.

There is a narrative on the reverse side commemorating the origin and development of Christmas tree traditions around the world. There is also a description of the items that are on the tree. Near the LENOX logo there is a hand-painted number in sequence.

The reverse has the following:



The plates are:

                                                                        1991              Germany
                                                                        1992              France
                                                                        1993              England
                                                                        1994              Poland
                                                                        1995              Austria
                                                                        1996              Russia
                                                                        1997              Italy
                                                                        1998              America
                                                                        1999              Mexico
                                                                        2000              Sweden
                                                                        2001              Ireland
                                                                        2002              Netherlands
                                                                        2003              Canada
                                                                        2004              Brazil
                                                                        2005              Hungary
                                                                        2006              Japan
                                                                        2007              Norway


Compared to other LENOX plate series on ebay, there are not that many offered for sale. The laws of "Supply and Demand" clearly apply during the Christmas season. Be prepared for the demand (and cost) to increase beginning in November.

To my knowledge LENOX has not announced a closing of this series and this could be a long-term annual offering.

This set would obviously make a spectacular holiday table setting using the plates as chargers.

I am not a dealer and I do not sell.

Ralph Vaughan