According to the University Archivist, the plates in this exhibit are one of

the University's two officially commissioned sets of dinnerware: the first produced in 1930, and the second in 1950. The venerable English firm Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Ltd. manufactured both.

The 1930 edition consists of 12 "Old Staffordshire Blue" plates that, with one exception, depict various scenes on campus, including Nassau Hall, the Graduate College, Whig and Clio Halls and the University Chapel. These scenes were based on the work of local photographers, including Orren Jack Turner and Royal Rose, and visitors will be able to compare a plate portraying the chapel with the photograph that inspired it.

A complete set of plates cost just $15 and could only be purchased through the office of the University's secretary. Demand outstripped supply, much to the chagrin of alumni who had been promised delivery by Christmas, and almost 2,500 sets were sold.

The archives now holds two complete sets of these plates, thanks to the generosity of John Montague Ely Jr. '41.

The nine plates photographed for this exhibit were given to the Princetonana Committee by Questa Anderson, for which we express our thanks.