Question 1

What country manufactured willow known for its “fat birds?”

Accepted Answer

Japan, which exported great amounts of willow to the U.S. from the late 1930s to  the 1970s.

Question 2

What year did the “Willow Legend” first appear in print?

Accepted Answer

1849, in an article titled “The Story of the Common Willow-Pattern Plate,” which appeared in a publication called “The Family Friend.”

Question 3

What company produced the first willow ware made in America?

Accepted Answer

Buffalo Pottery, of Buffalo, New York, in 1905. That first year only, the pottery mark read "First Old Willow Ware Manufactured in America."

Question 4

Who created the willow pattern we know today?

Accepted Answer

Josiah Spode I’s pottery is given credit for creating the standard willow pattern in 1790, although it is believed that Thomas Minton was the actual engraver of the pattern, while serving an independent engraver in London for Spode and other manufactureres.

Question 5

What popular 1960’s TV show featured willow china in Aunt Bee’s kitchen?

Accepted Answer

The Andy Griffith Show. We see willow-pattern dishes throughout the series. In addition to Aunt Bee's kitchen, it appears in the sheriff's office, Mayberry store windows and in Thelma Lou's dining room.

Question 6

What popular American “five-and-dime” store sold willow dishes throughout the middle of the 20th century?

Accepted Answer

Woolworth’s. Most all of the willow they sold was made in Japan.

Question 7

What year did IWC hold its first convention?

Accepted Answer

1986 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Question 8

What design elements do you find in the standard willow pattern?

Accepted Answer

A willow tree, an orange or apple tree, two birds, people on a bridge, a fence, a boat and a tea house, which some collectors call a pagoda. It has been discussed that the apple or orange tree could be a Chinese pine tree, but the apple/orange reference is still the most popular/well-known reference.

Question 9

In the standard willow pattern, how many figures appear on the bridge?

Accepted Answer

Three.

Question 10

True or False - The use of blue willow divided grill plates in diners and cafes inspired the use of the phrase “Blue Plate Special,” meaning a dish of meat and vegetables at a budget price.

Accepted Answer

Kind of true. The origins of the phrase might date to 1892, when diner proprietor Fred Harvey was serving up quick and cheap meals to railroad travelers at his Harvey House chain which operated along the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe lines. But he used solid blue plates in his restaurants. No doubt, though, as the popularity of willow-pattern grill plates grew, their association with Blue Plate Specials was cemented. By the 1920s, the Blue Plate Special was a familiar item on menus all across the U.S.

Question 11

In what famous author’s book, “Tailor of Gloucester,” first published in 1902, did willow appear in its illustrations?

Accepted Answer

Beatrix Potter.

Question 12

The willow pattern has been produced most in what color?

Accepted Answer

Blue is the most popular and well-recognized color. Other colors include red/pink, green, mulberry, yellow/gold, orange, brown, black and multicolor.

Question 13

What American press magnate specified willow china for his vast home at San Simeon in the 1920s?

Accepted Answer

William Randolph Hearst. It was trimmed in gold so that no one would mistake it for an inferior version.

Question 14

Did George Washington dine on willow plates?

Accepted Answer

Although the dishes were blue and white, they were not the willow pattern. Washington was very fond of the early Chinese handpainted blue and white porcelain and ordered it on at least nine occasions while at Mount Vernon. His first order arrived in April 1763. In the early 1790s, one of Washington’s orders was a 302-piece set.

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