Q: Among my grandma’s (born late 1800s) dishes was an old plain white platter. It has a round mark with American flags on each side of the circle. It’s inscribed “National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. The Nation to her Defenders” and dated March 3, 1865. Also shown in the mark are two figures and what looks like some kindling. Could this be from the Civil War period? Any information would be appreciated.

A: Congress passed a bill establishing the National Asylum for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers on March 3, 1865. The institution provided care for Union soldiers who fought in the Civil War. The name was changed to the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in January 1873. The government commissioned Glasgow Pottery of Trenton, New Jersey, to make pottery for the home in 1899. The mark you describe is the seal of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. It pictures a soldier and a figure that probably represents Lady Liberty. The “kindling” is a rolled-up document with a wreath around it and a sword through the wreath. In 1930 the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers became part of the Veterans Administration. Glasgow Pottery was founded in 1859. The pottery made white granite, hotel and steamboat china, and souvenir china. It also made pottery for various branches of the armed services. The pottery was sold in 1906. Your platter was made sometime between 1899 and 1906.