Review of Franciscan Desert Rose Dinnerware 8 1/2-Inch Rimmed Soup/Pasta Plates, Set of 4

In the late 1940's-onward, my mother began gradually collecting Franciscan Desert Rose dinnerware.Much of it was purchased early; some pieces were purchased in the 1980's-90's.

This pattern, created in 1941, is considered the "best-ever selling pattern in the U.S." (paraphrasing).It is a beautiful, understated pattern and dinnerware (which is what I'd call stoneware though you usually see it described as China) which is solid but not too heavy.It is a very traditional set, with coffee cups and platters, a butter dish, creamer, sugar bowl, all those things we really never use or need anymore.They have come out with coffee mugs, however, in the last few years.

Originally this was made in California, in patterns reflecting the state's Spanish heritage.It was used in the White House by the Kennedys and Nixons.The original ones have been shown in the Smithsonian and other museums.

The original Franciscan Rose will have on the bottom of the dinnerware a circular "FRANCISCAN" on top, then on the bottom half of the circle "HAND DECORATED". In the middle of the semi circle it will say: "MADE IN CALIFORNIA". These are the sought-after collectable pieces; and you'd probably have to go to used sellers or e-bay to find any.

After 1979-84 the original company was sold to the Wedgewood China company in England.Pieces made there have on the bottom: "MADE IN ENGLAND" and the capital letter "F".

All these earlier pieces are brightly colored, and slightly raised where the colored pattern is found.

Now they are, unfortunately, made in China...as one poster here mentioned, they are flat, not raised at all, and the colors appear merely printed on.This is what you find in stores now if you buy new.

Unlike other reviewers complaints of chipping and crackling,our set was always kept as the "good" dishes, and only used for guests or holidays.They were also only handwashed (for one thing we had no dishwasher back then); and we still handwash them if we use them.Therefore, none of mine, some of which are over 50 years old, are crackled or chipped.

As a nice, pretty second set of dishes that hold up well, are not too heavy but neither are they thin and light and easilybreakable; they are worth getting.BUT for a collectable or a future family heirloom you will have to search out the older ("MADE IN CALIFORNIA") pieces.

One thing to keep in mind, I doubt this pattern, which is now a classic, will ever be discontinued.(Unlike, for example, my purchase a few years ago of a brand-new pattern from Pfalzgraf which was discontinued a year or two later---so I now have to hunt/ pay extra, to replace any missing or broken pieces...which I won't...nor will I buy their products again.)

As for this classic American dinnerware with its' lovely pattern being made cheaply in China now, I can only say it is sad, and at what point will ALL American jobs stop being sent overseas???

(BTW Corelle ware, theirparent company Corning Ware, and its' other product Pyrex, are all still made in the U.S....support them!)

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Product Description:
Each piece is hand-painted individually, which is part of the charm that has made this pattern an enduring favorite for three generations.

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