Included in this lot are two (2) 1905-1910 Royal Saxony Art Plates, "#105 Irene", produced exclusively by the Chas. W. Shonk Co., Chicago, USA. Also known as Vienna Art Plates, this lithographed plate of "Lady Irene Gypsy" has fantastic detail with her light brown hair down. She wears a flat hat, gold hoop earrings and wears a Grecian style dress. She's on a plain, dark green background. The ornate floral design going around the edge is a pattern repeated 3 times and it is in pristine condition. It is Kelly green, dark red, light green, with gold tones throughout. The Shonk company began business in 1891 and produced tin plates with its red Royal Saxony logo on the backs. Several of their standard plate designs featured "Dr. Pepper" soft drink advertisements onto the front border. The original H. D. Beach patent design for tin plates was for two layers of sheet metal crimped together with applications of famous or artistic designs with advertising as its intent, but did not preclude tin plates featuring one sheet. These tin plates were the beginning of lithographic advertising on tin plates, trays, signs that featured Coca Cola, Dr Pepper, Anheuser-Bush (of Budweiser Beer fame), and the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition of 1909 that was held in Seattle, Washington, among many other advertising plates. These two Vintage Vienna Art / Royal Saxony Art Plates are in good overall condition, especially considering their ages. Minor dents, scuffed edges and scratches are noted, only one plate has the Royal Saxony Art Plates logo on the back. No colour fading is noted though crazing is exhibited on close inspection of both plates. No other obvious marring noted. Each plate measures overall 10.25" diameter, base is 6.75" diameter approximately.