I'm a dish flipper, no doubt about it. Dinnerware is my weakness. My collection of plates, glasses and mugs has outgrown the kitchen cabinet space, moved into other rooms, and headed off toward the hoarders end of the spectrum.
Since you’re here, you know that I've been writing about, and for a few years selling, vintage dinnerware online.
After a few years, a Facebook friend, who is also in the dish business, put up a private photo challenge group. Photo of the week, various topics, usually esoteric, like” love” or “trust,” vs. a tangible, like “bridge” or “boat.”
The weekly challenge was to illustrate the concept, and post a photo.
It became a running joke, not long after I put up the jazz mug for “music” (shown below).
After the first one, I threw down the gauntlet (for better or worse) and said I could satisfy all the challenges with a photo of dinnerware or glassware. Like the one in this photo.
The challenge word was “paisley” and I submitted this picture of a salad plate in the vintage Oriental Charm pattern by Mikasa, from the late 1970s. (Shown above. Yes, they put paisley on dishes in the heyday of Rock ‘n Roll.)
Normal people don't flip the dishes in a restaurant or at a party, to look at the maker's marks on the back.
I don't think it's weird, but it IS to other people. I can tell by the way they react.
It was a fun challenge. My large library of dinnerware photos came in handy, for a complete dish nerd like me...
Are you curious enough to flip your dishes?
Here's the Jazz mug, along with a champagne glass to illustrate “smoke.”
Then there were the Michigan cooler glasses, for a travel theme. And the 1973 mug to help illustrate a class reunion page on Facebook.
And of course, I flip while shopping, if I don't know the pattern and maker already.
If you’re into dishes, you already know that many dinnerware patterns include the manufacturer name, and the country of manufacture, on the mark underneath. Some include the pattern name as well. Glassware is more challenging, as most pieces are not marked.
Finding more of that special pattern you collect, or something new and unexpected, all part of the thrill of the hunt. And it continues when you use the pieces you bring home.
Loving dinnerware, that’s no challenge.
by 
Hello,
I’ve been desperately trying to find out the manufacturer/name of the champagne glass you have above. Do you know this information? I have a set of 4 champagne glasses exactly like this and one is chipped and I’d love to try to find a replacement.
Many thanks,
Brook
Hello Brook!
I apologize for the delay. If you take a look at Cora – Smoke by Peill you might find what you are looking for. Hope this helps!