Hi Joan...how nice that you have some willow that your mother enjoyed. I am not sure if your grill plates have marks on the back. There were many different grill plates made by numerous companies over the years. Most you will find are marked Japan, usually the case, but not always. Many Japan manufacturers made blue willow, and most of the companies are not documented. So, the best we can do is usually date these plates from the 1940s-60s. Of course, Occupied Japan narrows the date field to 1945-52. A quick search on ebay for Willow Grill Plate might help you identify what you have, if you're not sure. It will also give you a current estimated value (look for closed auctions for selling bids). Unfortunately, we can't appraise on this site, as we are not official appraisers. But I would feel on ebay you'll see typical grill plates for between $5-20 each. These plates were used in cafes and diners and most likely helped coin the term "Blue Plate Special," a quick and inexpensive meal consisting of a meat, a starch and a vegetable. A few years ago, I did an entire lecture on the history of the Blue Plate Special at an IWC Convention. Quite an interesting piece of history. Enjoy your plates whether on the wall or on your table!
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