COUNTRY MUSIC VINTAGE PLATE STARS OF COLUMBIA RECORDS

This Wonderful Vintage “Country & Western” Pottery Plate was made by Taylor Smith & Taylor of Chester, West Virginia. The plate is marked on the back “Bel-Ar Pottery, hand painted, 22 Kt. Gold # 3618.” It measures 8” Diameter.This plate is transferware that is partially hand painted. It dates approximately 1950-1955. It depicts Stony Cooper and Wilma Lee, daughter Carol Lee; and is entitled “Stars of Columbia Records”. The plate has a hunter green border framing the singers, which is in a sepia transfer print.

COMMENT: A Great Collection Piece For The “Early Country Music” Collector Buff!

SOME FACTS BEHIND WILMA LEE & STONEY COOPER In 1950 the Coopers and their band, The Clinch Mountain Clan, were named “the most authentic mountain singing group in the United States” by the music library of Harvard University.

Stoney Cooper was born in West Virginia.  In 1938, Wilma Lee sang at the National Folk Festival sponsored by Eleanor Roosevelt (President Theodore Roosevelt’s wife).

Stoney and Wilma first performed together in the 1930’s. In 1941, they were married and shortly thereafter, had baby Carol. They performed widely throughout the United States and were well known on many radio and television programs. In 1947 they signed a contract with WWVA Jamboree in West Virginia until 1957. In 1957, they moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and became members of the Grand Ole Opry.

They were very popular on many television programs from 1960’s to 1970’s in the United States and Canada.

The Smithsonian Institute honored Wilma Lee Cooper as “The First Lady of Blue Grass” at their annual folk festival in 1974.

Portraits of Country and Western, especially blue grass performers, are fairly scarce and seldom seen on pottery or porcelain items; and are considered very collectible.

According to sources, these plates were sold at their concerts as a souvenir of their live performances.

CONDITION: Great condition except for very minor rubbing and minute surface scratching! Considering its age, this plate is considered to be in very good condition. There are no chips, nor repairs. Because of the surface scratching, this plate is being offered in "as is" condition.