Collecting Vintage Pfaltzgraff Heritage Dishes

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Collecting Vintage Pfaltzgraff Heritage Dishes – Tips and Tricks

Today I'm sharing all of my tips and tricks for collecting vintage Pfaltzgraff Heritage dishes!

Today I’m sharing all about my vintage Pfaltzgraff Heritage dishes, where I find pieces to add to my set, and how you can tell the difference between older pieces and new ones!

To view the entire video, visit my YouTube here.

In my post last week I shared a little bit about my vintage Pfaltzgraff Heritage dishes, and I promised to one day write a post all about them. Well, this week seemed like a good week to share!

Vintage Pfaltzgraff Heritage dishes are perfect additions to any cottage style dining space.

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I’ll be honest, when I first saw these dishes at a thrift store I knew nothing about them. I just thought they were so pretty and classic, and I knew they would look beautiful on display in my dining room. The set that I found was very mismatched…it had some salad bowls, a platter, some serving and mixing bowls, a butter tub, and a large soup tureen all for twelve bucks.

Tips and tricks for finding vintage Pfaltzgraff Heritage dishes!

When I got it all home and started placing it on my shelves, I decided to do some research and see what exactly I had found. It didn’t take long for me to figure out that my dishes were by Pfaltzgraff, and that I had purchased part of the white Heritage collection.

Where to find white Heritage dishes by Pfaltzgraff

History of my vintage Pfaltzgraff Heritage dishes

Here’s a fun fact – I love history. Maybe that’s why antique stores are so much fun for me. There is something so amazing about picking up an antique and wondering where it’s been or who used it.

When I found out that my dishes were made by Pfaltzgraff, of course I wanted to learn more about the company and name. It turns out that Johann George Pfaltzgraff was a potter who lived in Germany during the early 1800’s. He was having some difficulty establishing a trade there, and decided to move to Pennsylvania after learning about the success of some relatives who had already immigrated to America.

Over 200 years later, Pfaltzgraff is still around today and they continue to produce ceramics for the home. The dishes in my set are a part of the Heritage collection which was introduced in 1963. It is the oldest dinnerware pattern that is still in production today.

Where to find Heritage dishes by Pfaltzgraff

Where can I find vintage Pfaltzgraff Heritage pieces?

I have only ever purchased dishes at thrift stores and antique stores. Over the years I have added cups and saucers, dinner plates, a large pitcher, cream and sugar, and more pieces to my collection!

Since Heritage pieces are white, they can sometimes be difficult to spot, especially at thrift stores. The larger dinner plates that I have were completely hidden under another large stack of plates that I almost looked over. So when you’re shopping, make sure to dig!

One of my favorite things to shop for at thrift stores - white Pfaltzgraff!

There is also a wonderful selection of Heritage pieces on eBay, and I’m sure you could search Facebook Marketplace and Craig’s List as well!

How can you tell the difference between the old Pfaltzgraff Heritage pieces and the new ones?

Maker’s Mark

How to know if your Pfaltzgraff Heritage dishes are new or old

There are several things you can look out for when you are shopping for vintage Pfaltzgraff. If you find a dish that resembles the Heritage pattern, flip it over and check the bottom. The Pfaltzgraff family castle was used in the 1960’s and stamped on the bottom of each piece.

Look for the castle marking when searching for vintage Heritage pieces

I’m not sure what marking is used today since I’ve never actually purchased a newer Heritage piece. I have looked at newer Pfaltzgraff pieces, and most of the dishes I’ve seen have a painted logo rather than an embossed one.

Here's a tip when searching for vintage dishes!

Shape and Weight

I have found Heritage dishes at thrift stores before, but I could just tell by the way that they felt and looked that they were newer pieces. The older dishes are thicker and sturdier, but the newer dishes feel thinner and lighter.

One thing that might help is to visit the Pfaltzgraff site and just start reading the reviews under the Heritage collection. It’s amazing how many people agree – they just don’t make ‘em like they used to!

The differences between old Pfaltzgraff Heritage dishes and new ones...

Reviews provide helpful insight if you’re looking to start a collection of your own, because many times people post photos of the newer dishes next to their older ones to show the difference.

Color

Another thing to look out for is coloring. The original Pfaltzgraff Heritage dishes can be described as being pure white or even bone white in color. The newer dishes almost have a gray tint to them. Again, refer to the photos under the ratings on the Pfaltzgraff site. They are very helpful!

Tips and tricks for buying vintage Pfaltzgraff Heritage pieces

There you have it! I hope this article was a help to you. A lot of people my Mom’s age (or older) chuckle when I talk about my “vintage” Pfaltzgraff dishes. Yes, I realize that even the 1960’s dishes aren’t that old. Even so, I truly love the style and feel of the Heritage pattern, and it’s so much fun for me when I find dishes to add to my collection.

How do you clean Pfaltzgraff Heritage dishes?

Collecting vintage Pfaltzgraff Heritage dishes - tips and tricks

I have always used simple soap and water to clean my dishes. In fact, I have even ran the cups and mugs through the dishwasher.

I have found that these cleaning pads do an amazing job removing scuffs and scratches.

There is something so timeless and classic about white dishes in general, but the clean lines and the curved edges of the Pfaltzgraff Heritage pattern really speak to me and the cottage style I love so much.

Timeless and classes Pfaltzgraff dishes

Do you own any vintage Pfaltzgraff Heritage dishes? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for stopping by today friends!


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Today I'm sharing all of my tips and tricks for collecting vintage Pfaltzgraff Heritage dishes!

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I'm a writer who focuses on the outdoors and travel. I share my time between Alaska and Colorado, where, when I'm not writing, I enjoy camping, kayaking, hiking, fishing, and skiing (often with dogs in tow). My byline may also be seen in publications such as The New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and others.

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