Lot 12: A 1995 Spode Limited Edition V.E. Day Celebration Plate with Box

A 1995 ceramic commemorative plate of circular form, produced by Spode to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. The central well features a green and blue map of Europe encircled by a gold-coloured inscription reading TO CELEBRATE THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF VICTORY IN EUROPE ~ 8 MAY 1945. A transfer-printed depiction of a white dove carrying a green olive branch is positioned above the map. The broad rim is decorated with a continuous green laurel wreath entwined with blue banners bearing the names of Allied nations in white capitals: GREAT BRITAIN, U.S.S.R., INDIA, NEW ZEALAND, FRANCE, BELGIUM, CZECHOSLOVAKIA, NORWAY, GREECE, ITALY, BRAZIL, YUGOSLAVIA, DENMARK, RHODESIA, POLAND, HOLLAND, SOUTH AFRICA, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, and U.S.A. A stylised red and gold V symbol for Victory is located at the top of the rim, which is finished with a gilt edge. The plate is accompanied by a paper certificate of authenticity printed with a red script SPODE logo and the Imperial War Museum logo. The certificate identifies this as number 229 of a limited edition of 1945 and bears the printed signatures of ALAN BORG and H. WOOD. The original white cardboard presentation box lid features a Royal Warrant crest and the printed text BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II MANUFACTURERS OF CHINA SPODE STOKE-ON-TRENT.