Edwin M. Knowles "The Empire Builder" Collector Plate – The Romantic Age of Steam – R. E. Pierce – Limited Edition

Edwin M. Knowles "The Empire Builder" Collector Plate – The Romantic Age of Steam – R. E. Pierce – Limited Edition

$25.00
$25.00
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Edwin M. Knowles "The Empire Builder" Collector Plate – The Romantic Age of Steam – R. E. Pierce – Limited Edition
  • Edwin M. Knowles "The Empire Builder" Collector Plate – The Romantic Age of Steam – R. E. Pierce – Limited Edition
  • Edwin M. Knowles "The Empire Builder" Collector Plate – The Romantic Age of Steam – R. E. Pierce – Limited Edition
  • Edwin M. Knowles "The Empire Builder" Collector Plate – The Romantic Age of Steam – R. E. Pierce – Limited Edition
  • Edwin M. Knowles "The Empire Builder" Collector Plate – The Romantic Age of Steam – R. E. Pierce – Limited Edition
  • Edwin M. Knowles "The Empire Builder" Collector Plate – The Romantic Age of Steam – R. E. Pierce – Limited Edition
  • Edwin M. Knowles "The Empire Builder" Collector Plate – The Romantic Age of Steam – R. E. Pierce – Limited Edition
Edwin M. Knowles "The Empire Builder" Collector Plate – The Romantic Age of Steam – R. E. Pierce – Limited Edition

Edwin M. Knowles "The Empire Builder" Collector Plate – The Romantic Age of Steam – R. E. Pierce – Limited Edition

A carefully chosen piece from the cupboard.
$25.00
$25.00

Ships with care from Pittsburgh ✨

Each item inside Mrs. Bones Curio Cupboard is selected with intention—never ordinary, never without a story.

Some are handcrafted. Some are discovered. All are chosen to bring a little intrigue, beauty, or curiosity into your world.

Crafted of fine porcelain by the Edwin M. Knowles China Company, this limited-edition collector plate features R. E. Pierce's dramatic artwork depicting The Empire Builder, one of America's most legendary long-distance passenger trains. Produced as part of The Romantic Age of Steam collector plate series and limited to 150 firing days, this decorative plate celebrates the power, endurance, and pioneering spirit of transcontinental rail travel.

Edwin M. Knowles "The Empire Builder"

Celebrate one of America's most iconic passenger trains with this limited-edition Edwin M. Knowles collector plate featuring The Empire Builder, the first issue in The Romantic Age of Steam series.

Created from original artwork by railroad artist R. E. Pierce, this decorative porcelain plate portrays the legendary Great Northern Railway's Empire Builder charging through a snowy mountain landscape under a night sky. The dramatic artwork captures the strength and determination that made this famous train a symbol of luxury travel across the American Northwest.

Produced by the Edwin M. Knowles China Company, this collector plate was manufactured as a limited edition restricted to 150 firing days and bears its original manufacturer backstamp, Bradex number, and individual plate number.

Whether displayed in a railroad collection, office, train room, or Americana display, this piece is an outstanding tribute to the romance of steam railroading.

This example bears Plate Number 5597E and Bradex Number 84-K41-135.1, identifying it as the first issue in the Edwin M. Knowles The Romantic Age of Steam collector plate series.

Historical Background

Introduced in 1929, the Empire Builder became the flagship passenger train of the Great Northern Railway, connecting Chicago with Seattle across the northern United States. Named in honor of railroad founder James J. Hill, known as the "Empire Builder," the train became famous for its dependable service, breathtaking mountain scenery, and luxurious accommodations.

Traveling through the Rocky Mountains, Glacier National Park, and the Pacific Northwest, the Empire Builder earned a reputation as one of America's greatest long-distance passenger trains. Today, its legacy lives on through Amtrak's Empire Builder route and remains a favorite among railroad historians and collectors.

Features

  • Edwin M. Knowles China Company
  • Original artwork by R. E. Pierce
  • Title: The Empire Builder
  • Series: The Romantic Age of Steam
  • First Issue
  • Limited Edition
  • Limited to 150 firing days
  • Fine porcelain collector plate
  • Approximately 8¼ inches in diameter
  • Decorative display plate
  • Original manufacturer backstamp
  • Bradex Number: 84-K41-135.1
  • Individually numbered plate

Condition

Very good vintage condition.

No chips, cracks, or repairs observed during inspection. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form part of the item description.

Mrs. Bones Research Library

We've extensively researched this collector plate series.

Read the complete Research & Provenance Guide here:

The Romantic Age of Steam Collector Plate Series

Research Library No. MBRL-2026-0007

Perfect for gifting, collecting, or keeping something a little unexpected for yourself.

Availability:


Some pieces are one-of-a-kind or limited in quantity. Once they’re gone, they may not return.

✔ Available online
✔ Carefully packed and shipped
✔ From our Pittsburgh-based curio space

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From the Cupboard

Every piece you find here has a story behind it.
Some are gathered. Some are created. Some simply find their way here—when they’re meant to.

Nothing is mass-produced to fill shelves. Everything is chosen with intention, meant to feel like a discovery—not just another purchase.

What’s inside the cupboard is always changing. If something catches your eye, it’s worth holding onto—because once it’s gone, it may not return the same way again.

⏳ HOWEVER YOU CHOOSE TO claim it... don’t wait too long.

Not everything here is meant for everyone.

But the right piece has a way of finding the right person.

Curated, Not Mass Made


Each item is chosen for its story, character, and charm—not to fill a shelf. Every piece arrives with intention, never by accident.

Always Changing


The cupboard evolves constantly. What’s here today may be gone tomorrow, so every visit is a little adventure—discover something unexpected each time.

Packed With Care


Every order is thoughtfully prepared and shipped from our Pittsburgh-based curio space, ensuring your treasures arrive safely and ready to delight.