{"product_id":"edwin-m-knowles-the-empire-builder-romantic-age-of-steam-collector-plate","title":"Edwin M. Knowles \"The Empire Builder\" Collector Plate – The Romantic Age of Steam – R. E. Pierce – Limited Edition","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-end=\"746\" data-start=\"283\" data-section-id=\"1nxdguz\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003eCrafted 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"788\" data-start=\"748\" data-section-id=\"4fdbu6\"\u003eEdwin M. Knowles \"The Empire Builder\"\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"999\" data-start=\"790\"\u003eCelebrate one of America's most iconic passenger trains with this limited-edition Edwin M. Knowles collector plate featuring \u003cstrong data-end=\"937\" data-start=\"915\"\u003eThe Empire Builder\u003c\/strong\u003e, the \u003cstrong data-end=\"958\" data-start=\"943\"\u003efirst issue\u003c\/strong\u003e in \u003cstrong data-end=\"991\" data-start=\"962\"\u003eThe Romantic Age of Steam\u003c\/strong\u003e series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1371\" data-start=\"1001\"\u003eCreated from original artwork by railroad artist \u003cstrong data-end=\"1066\" data-start=\"1050\"\u003eR. E. Pierce\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1608\" data-start=\"1373\"\u003eProduced by the \u003cstrong data-end=\"1423\" data-start=\"1389\"\u003eEdwin M. Knowles China Company\u003c\/strong\u003e, this collector plate was manufactured as a limited edition restricted to \u003cstrong data-end=\"1517\" data-start=\"1498\"\u003e150 firing days\u003c\/strong\u003e and bears its original manufacturer backstamp, Bradex number, and individual plate number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1769\" data-start=\"1610\"\u003eWhether displayed in a railroad collection, office, train room, or Americana display, this piece is an outstanding tribute to the romance of steam railroading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1954\" data-start=\"1771\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1954\" data-start=\"1771\"\u003eThis example bears Plate Number 5597E and Bradex Number 84-K41-135.1, identifying it as the first issue in the Edwin M. Knowles \u003cem data-end=\"1928\" data-start=\"1901\"\u003eThe Romantic Age of Steam\u003c\/em\u003e collector plate series.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"2128\" data-start=\"2125\"\u003e\n\u003ch1 data-end=\"2153\" data-start=\"2130\" data-section-id=\"1xemshg\"\u003eHistorical Background\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2541\" data-start=\"2155\"\u003eIntroduced in \u003cstrong data-end=\"2177\" data-start=\"2169\"\u003e1929\u003c\/strong\u003e, the \u003cstrong data-end=\"2201\" data-start=\"2183\"\u003eEmpire Builder\u003c\/strong\u003e became the flagship passenger train of the \u003cstrong data-end=\"2271\" data-start=\"2245\"\u003eGreat Northern Railway\u003c\/strong\u003e, connecting \u003cstrong data-end=\"2308\" data-start=\"2284\"\u003eChicago with Seattle\u003c\/strong\u003e across the northern United States. Named in honor of railroad founder \u003cstrong data-end=\"2396\" data-start=\"2379\"\u003eJames J. Hill\u003c\/strong\u003e, known as the \"Empire Builder,\" the train became famous for its dependable service, breathtaking mountain scenery, and luxurious accommodations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2861\" data-start=\"2543\"\u003eTraveling 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"2866\" data-start=\"2863\"\u003e\n\u003ch1 data-end=\"2878\" data-start=\"2868\" data-section-id=\"1fah8gx\"\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"3276\" data-start=\"2880\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2912\" data-start=\"2880\" data-section-id=\"zvc1uf\"\u003eEdwin M. Knowles China Company\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2947\" data-start=\"2913\" data-section-id=\"1hss41f\"\u003eOriginal artwork by R. E. Pierce\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2979\" data-start=\"2948\" data-section-id=\"lx5q24\"\u003eTitle: \u003cstrong data-end=\"2979\" data-start=\"2957\"\u003eThe Empire Builder\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3019\" data-start=\"2980\" data-section-id=\"virn3p\"\u003eSeries: \u003cstrong data-end=\"3019\" data-start=\"2990\"\u003eThe Romantic Age of Steam\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3033\" data-start=\"3020\" data-section-id=\"182hbuz\"\u003eFirst Issue\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3051\" data-start=\"3034\" data-section-id=\"19wutu0\"\u003eLimited Edition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3080\" data-start=\"3052\" data-section-id=\"1ghony9\"\u003eLimited to 150 firing days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3113\" data-start=\"3081\" data-section-id=\"rh9agy\"\u003eFine porcelain collector plate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3151\" data-start=\"3114\" data-section-id=\"1mrrfo3\"\u003eApproximately 8¼ inches in diameter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3178\" data-start=\"3152\" data-section-id=\"n5qmcu\"\u003eDecorative display plate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3212\" data-start=\"3179\" data-section-id=\"11eifue\"\u003eOriginal manufacturer backstamp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3246\" data-start=\"3213\" data-section-id=\"vut0pf\"\u003eBradex Number: \u003cstrong data-end=\"3246\" data-start=\"3230\"\u003e84-K41-135.1\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3276\" data-start=\"3247\" data-section-id=\"5po5p6\"\u003eIndividually numbered plate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"3281\" data-start=\"3278\"\u003e\n\u003ch1 data-end=\"3294\" data-start=\"3283\" data-section-id=\"1aex439\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3324\" data-start=\"3296\"\u003eVery good vintage condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3466\" data-start=\"3326\"\u003eNo chips, cracks, or repairs observed during inspection. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form part of the item description.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"3471\" data-start=\"3468\"\u003e\n\u003ch1 data-end=\"3502\" data-start=\"3473\" data-section-id=\"1shf3ef\"\u003eMrs. Bones Research Library\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3561\" data-start=\"3504\"\u003eWe've extensively researched this collector plate series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3618\" data-start=\"3563\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3618\" data-start=\"3563\"\u003eRead the complete Research \u0026amp; Provenance Guide here:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3672\" data-start=\"3620\"\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/mrsbonescuriocupboard.com\/blogs\/mrs-bones-research-library\/the-romantic-age-of-steam-collector-plate-series\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3672\" data-start=\"3620\"\u003eThe Romantic Age of Steam Collector Plate Series\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3713\" data-start=\"3674\"\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/mrsbonescuriocupboard.com\/blogs\/mrs-bones-research-library\/the-romantic-age-of-steam-collector-plate-series\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3713\" data-start=\"3674\"\u003eResearch Library No. MBRL-2026-0007\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Edwin M. Knowles China Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43861764603978,"sku":"MB-072726-003","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0701\/6942\/8042\/files\/TheEmpireBuilderFront.png?v=1785187890","url":"https:\/\/mrsbonescuriocupboard.com\/products\/edwin-m-knowles-the-empire-builder-romantic-age-of-steam-collector-plate","provider":"Mrs. Bones Curio Cupboard","version":"1.0","type":"link"}