My Vintage Russel Wright American Modern Plate

I was paging through the recent Martha Stewart magazine and on the very last page was an article about the Bauer Pottery Company and their relaunch of the Russel Wright American Modern line of pottery, which in the mid-20th century was the most popular dinnerware in the U.S. I read the short article and after looking at the photo, I realized that the shape of the plates looked really, really familiar. I went to the stack of my prop plates and looked on the bottom of the one I suspected and, lo and behold! It was a Russel Wright!!

Russel Wright (1904 – 1976) was the innovative creator of inexpensive, mass produced dinnerware, furniture, appliances and textiles. According to his website, he and his wife invented “lifestyle marketing centered on compelling persona, paving the way for lifestyle interpreters such as Martha Stewart and Ralph Lauren.” They wrote a best-selling book in 1950, “Guide to Easier Living,” championing informal living and a departure from convention. He didn’t have the internet, but he got his ideas out there in exhibitions, books, articles, advertisements, radio shows and showrooms in department stores. His signature became a recognizable trademark.

Bauer Pottery, which had started in 1885 and shuttered in the 1960’s, was relaunched in 1998 by Janek Boniecki. He was an avid collector of vintage Bauer, and because the original molds had been lost, recreated the line using reverse engineering with molds made from existing pieces. He recently added the Russel Wright Collection which is sold through Bauer.

I acquired my vintage Russel Wright and Bauer plates a number of years ago at Stars Antique Market in Hermosa Beach. This is a great little antique store, where I have also found wonderful linens, silverware, and a number of other vintage plates. If you live in the Los Angeles area, this is the place to find lots of photo props.

When I looked through my blog posts, I realized how perfect my Russel Wright plate is for food photography. It’s relatively small, has a low lip, and a neutral color that doesn’t fight with the color of the food. Check these out:

Parmesan Panko Zucchini Fries

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Shrimp Veracruz with Green Olives & Capers and Tortillas Robed in Pumpkin Seed Tomatillo Sauce

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Baked Chicken with Sauce Soubise

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Hard-Cooked Eggs on Toast with Béchamel Sauce

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Vietnamese Happy Pancakes with a Killer Dipping Sauce

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Huevos Rancheros

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Spinach Crepe Spirals with Cream cheese, Pine Nuts, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Garlic and Lemon Zest

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