Vintage 1955 Copeland Spode England Blue Rhine Pattern Plate

A VINTAGE COPELAND SPODE ENGLAND PLATE IN THE BLUE RHINE PATTERN. THIS PLATE HAS AN IMPRESSED DATE MARK OF A LETTER M WITH 55 UNDERNEATH WHICH INDICATED A DATE OF MARCH 1955.
 
The central scene depicts the Rhine River, with a boat and buildings in the background, reflecting the landscape. The border is decorated with floral sprays, scrolls, and dot motifs, adding to the pattern's intricate detail. 
 
MARKINGS: PRINTED SEAL MARK USED FROM 1891-1970
The Rhyne pattern was in production by the Spode company from 1900 to 2009. The printed seal backstamp in our plate (COPELAND SPODE ENGLAND) was used from 1891 to 1970.
 
IMPRESSED DATE MARK FOR MARCH 1955:
From 1870 to 1963 impressed datemarks were used -  on earthenware from 1870 until 1957 and on bone china and fine stone from 1870 until 1963. These take the form of a letter over two numbers, for example J over 33, which would give you a date of January 1933. Our plate has a letter M over number 55 which indicates March 1955.
 
SIZE: 26.5CM DIAMETER
CONDITION: NO CHIPS. NO CRACKS. IN GOOD CONDITION.
 
RHINE PATTERN (1900-1985):
The Copeland Spode "Rhine" pattern is a blue and white transferware design initially created by Davenport in 1833 and later acquired by Spode in 1888 after Davenport closed. Spode reintroduced the pattern, likely around 1900, after purchasing the engravings. The pattern was briefly renamed "Severn" from 1939-1947 before reverting back to "Rhine". It features a scenic design of the Rhine River with a scalloped border of floral sprays and scrolling details. 
 
SPODE (1766 - present):
Josiah Spode apprenticed as a potter in the mid-1700s. By 1754, he went to work for William Banks in Stoke-on-Trent, in Staffordshire, England. Later, he started his own pottery business, making cream-colored earthenware.
Spode pioneered the use of steam-powered, pottery-making machinery and mastered the art of transfer printing from copper plates,. Spode opened a London shop in 1778 and sent William Copeland there in about 1784. By the early 1830s, Copeland fully acquired the Spode operations in London and took over the Stoke plant operations until his death in 1868, when he passed the business onto his heirs.
After 250 years Spode is still designed in Britain (Although in 2009 the British Portmeirion Group purchased the Spode brand.) and has now become synonymous with British ceramics.
 
BACKSTAMP MARKINGS:
Copeland Spode marks are divided into four main categories, including early Spode from 1770 to 1833, Copeland & Garrett from 1833 to 1847, WT Copeland from 1847 to 1970 and reverting back to just Spode from 1970 to 2022.
THE SEALMARK SEEN WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN 1833.
IN 1891 THE WORD ENGLAND WAS FIRST ADDED TO THE SEAL MARK.
UNTIL 1903 IT HAS A C IN THE CENTER OF IT FOR COPELAND.
IN 1904 TO 1954 THE WORD SPODE WAS ADDED TO THE COPELAND MARK AFTER AN ABSENCE OF 66 YEARS SINCE 1833.
IN 1954 THE S AFTER SPODE COPELANDS CHINA MARKS WAS OMITTED AND IN 1956 THE WORD BONE CHINA REPLACED COPELAND IN THE MARK.
In 1970, to celebrate the supposed bicentenary of the founding of the company, the name reverted to Spode with a new logo designed by John Sutherland Hawes. Taking inspiration from the early 19th century red painted Spode marks plus later (from 1976) printed adaptations he produced the 'Gothic' style logo in red which became world famous. This is the name used until the closure of the factory in 2009. 
FROM 1976 THE SPODE LOGO CHANGED TO RED AND THE WORD FINE WAS ADDED TO BONE CHINA IN BLACK.
 
DATE MARKS:
From 1870 to 1963 Copeland often used an impressed mark to indicate the month/year of manufacture. These take the form of a letter over two numbers, for example J over 33, which would give you a date of January 1933. Remember other numbers and letters appear on pieces which are not datemarks so you have to be certain they appear as one letter above two numbers.
After 1963 to 2009 they used printed date marks indicated by a printed letter associated with particular backstamps and are a little complicated.  In 2000 a new series of letters began. The year 2000 was given A0 (ie letter A number 0); 2001 was A1 etc until the close of the factory in 2009.
 
PLEASE ALSO SEE MY OTHER ITEMS LISTED. I HAVE ANOTHER COPELAND SPODE PLATE ON AUCTION THIS WEEK. COPY THE URL UNDERNEATH AND PASTE INTO GOOGLE AND IT WILL TAKE YOU DIRECTLY TO ALL MY LISTINGS THIS WEEK. NOTE ALL MY AUCTIONS END AT 22H30 SO IT IS ADVISABLE TO PUT IN AN AUTOMATIC BID (HIGHEST PRICE YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY) EARLY.
https://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/3685641/ErnRex1545