“Celebrate” Platter

Q: I found a platter in my mother’s china cupboard that doesn’t match anything else she had, and I have no idea where it came from. The mark on the bottom is a circle with a crown on top. The word “Celebrate” is inside the circle and “Made in Germany” is written below. Is this platter old and valuable?

A: The mark you describe was used by Geo. Borgfeldt & Co., a New York City importer. The company was in business from 1881 until about 1976. Geo. Borgfeldt & Co. imported china and earthenware, dolls, toys, glassware, novelty goods and other items from Europe and sold them to retailers in the United States. The mark was used beginning in 1936. “Celebrate” is one of the trademarks owned by Borgfeldt. Your platter was probably made in the late 1930s, before the outbreak of World War II. It is difficult to sell a piece that was probably part of a set. Value: about $40.