For themselves, they decided to buy a present together, something they could both use and enjoy. After much studying of Montgomery Ward’s catalogue, they chose to get a set of glassware. They needed it for the table and there was such a pretty set advertised, a sugar bowl, spoon-holder, butter dish, six sauce dishes, and a large oval-shaped bread plate. On the bread plate raised in the glass were heads of wheat and some lettering which read “Give us this day our daily bread.”
When the box came from Chicago a few days before Christmas and was unpacked, they were both delighted with their present.
~Laura Ingalls Wilder, in The First Four Years
As a collector of things that Laura owned and loved, I was interested in finding this particular set of glassware. In searching through an 1885 Montgomery Ward catalog, I found this advertisement:
Crossed Disk Glassware Set from the 1885 Montgomery Ward catalog
The first thing I noticed in the ad is the difference in the pictured bread plate and the bread plate on display in the museum at Rocky Ridge Farm. If you look carefully, you will see that they are not identical.
The one in the ad has deeper sides and appears bowl-like. Also, the lettering wraps around in a circular fashion, as opposed to the lettering going from left to right on both top and bottom of the plate, as the one at Rocky Ridge does. I have seen this bread plate before, and own several. The plate is definitely deeper than the one we all attribute to Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Look at the photos below. To me, the first one more closely resembles the Montgomery Ward ad; the second image is like the one on display at Rocky Ridge.
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Several reasons for the discrepancy come to mind:
1. Montgomery Ward substituted the different bread plate in the shipment.
2. The original bread plate was broken and Laura replaced it with the one now on display.
3. The different appearance is perhaps due to shading in the artwork.
What do you think?
Interesting indeed!
To me, the second photo (the one on the right) most resembles the bread plate in the catalog. Look at the size of the lettering, and how it is closer to the edge of the plate. Also note the direction of the wheat sheaves in relation to “our daily bread”. The wheat sheaves in the first photo face the opposite direction of those in the catalog and the other plate.
You’re right Elliemae, the photos were reversed in the article. Good eye. We will get them correected.
I have one like the one on the right, which was advertised and I bought it because it was supposed to be a part of the same set Laura had. I’ve thought since I got it that it was not the right one because it was different than the one on display. I’d like to think that Laura originally had this kind and the one on display is something she had replaced it with
. I’ll still be looking for one like the one at Rocky Ridge though, simply because I have to have that one too 
I, too, have an oval glass bread plate like the one pictured on the right. I found it years ago at an antique shop, thinking it looked like the one in “The First Four Years”, but not for sure until I got home and opened my book to check. Over the years I have seen a few more while antiquing, but they never have been like the one pictured on the MW catalog page. Maybe you’re right, Cheryl, that the catalog drawing may have been one kind and the plate the Wilders received was the one with larger lettering. Who knows….I am just happy to have one to remind me of Laura and Almanzo, bread in The Long Winter, and God’s goodness in providing for our needs.
I actually have the second plate that you showed in the picture. Not the Montomeryward one. I know this is also the same one that is on display in the Museum. I was recently discussing with my husband the possibility of selling this plate if you are interested in it at all I would love to be able to sell it to another fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder just like I am. I also have an autographed picture of the Little House on the Prarie cast. If you are interested in collecting these things feel free to contact me and I will see what I can do to help you out with your collection since I am starting to sell off the small collection that I have started.
Laura
Hi Laura,
I ran across your comment while searching for a plate like the one you have. I’d like to buy one for my wife for Christmas. She’s a big fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder, and reads the series at least once per year. We’re both from Minnesota, and grew up not too far from Walnut Grove. We’ve visited De Smet, and are headed to Rocky Ridge later this year.
Anyway, you mentioned in your comment that you were thinking of selling the plate. If you still have it available, I might be interested in buying it. Price of course, is the factor. Know that the plate would be going to another LIW fan, and would find a good home for many, many years.
Thanks!
-pat-