Huge ABC plate

If you can't make it better, make it bigger, right? That seems to be the philosophy behind this giant-sized pressed steel ABC plate. It measures a huge 12½-inches. The same style is also available in 9½, 6½, and 4½-inch sizes. The largest vintage metal ABC plates are very rarely over 6-to 7-inches. Both the 12½- and 9½-inch sizes should automatically be viewed with suspicion because of their unusual size.

The great majority of original pressed metal ABC plates from the last quarter of the 19th century have turned a dark patina. In other words, a chemical reaction has slowly taken place in the metal surface permanently changing the color to dark brown or almost black.

The new plates are also dark brown but they are painted. A tiny amount of fingernail polish remover (acetone) on a cotton swab will remove the paint from any of these new metal ABC plates. New 12½-inch plates are $4 each wholesale.