Gildea & Walker Plate

Q: This is a plate I inherited from my grandmother. It has long fascinated me because of its unusual design. I know the marking indicates it’s old but I would like to know more about it and what it may be worth. The mark has “Melbourne” and “G. & W.” in the band, a potter at his wheel on a bar that says “1790,” and “Late Mayers.” A diamond shape mark with “Rd” in the middle is below. It’s also embossed “Gildea & Walker.”

A: Gildea & Walker made earthenware and porcelain at the Dale Hall Works in Longport, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England, from 1881 to 1885. A succession of potteries worked at Dale Hall beginning in 1790. Mayer Bros. operated the pottery from about 1843 to 1855. Their successor added “Late Mayers” to the mark. Other potteries continued to work at Dale Hall until 1936. The diamond shape mark is the English Registry mark. See Kovels.com to learn how to read this mark. It indicates the design on this plate was registered on August 27, 1881. The pattern name is “Melbourne.” Value of your plate, about $30 to $40 in good condition.