This is a fairly straight forward identification, we have all the information we need on the plates back.

In the plate collecting world, the issue number, first issue in this case, refers to the sequence a particular plate item was released in a series. First issue is the first plate, second issue is the second plate, and so on.

Another plate that is easy to identify since the maker provided us with plenty of information.

I would like to take a moment to discuss the bradex number. Bradex numbers where assigned by the Bradford Exchange to help in the identification of plates, just because a plate has a bradex number listed does not mean that Bradford Exchange was the maker.

Bradex numbers can be broken down as follows for this plate,
bradex number 84-G20-6.1

• 84 is the country code for the United States of America
• G20 is the makers code for W. S. George
• 6 is the series number for this maker, Beloved Hymns of Childhood
• 1 is the issue number for this plate in the series, first issue

Note that the maker in this case is Reco International since they commissioned the plate and the manufacturer is Knowles China since they made the plate. For identification purposes, the maker is normally the entity that produced the plate and not necessarily who physically made the plate.

If only they where all that easy

This plate illustrates some of the most difficult to identify. Franklin Mint often produced plates in a series without specifying the issue or the series. Jeane Dixon was an astrologer and psychic, however she has been wrongly attributed as the artist of this series simply because her signature appears on the back.

We know from further research, the artist is actually Kirk Reinert

Note that this plate is an heirloom recommendation, this is not a series name, it is simply Franklin Mint's stamp of approval.

In difficult cases a certificate always helps

Note that this plate is from the American Folk Art Collection, this is a series name that has been assigned to works created by several different artists. Here at Collector Point, we split this series down further by having one for each artist.

With the certificate, we can make a better connection where each piece on the plate's back fits.

This plate also is an Heirloom Recommendation, however you would not know it by looking at the plate itself since it is only mentioned in the certificate.