Salem plates, miniature, from a "direct factory representative "measures 3 1/2

[linda jo]

There are 8- 3 1/2 inch plates featuring classic auto 's from 1877-1903. Stamped in gold, on the back, they all read "Frank W. Stoville, direct factory representative. "I was curious if they were models, displays, or possibly a reward of some type, perhaps for performance,and what their value might be.
thanks
Linda Jo

[talesofthesevenseas]

These look like commemorative plates to me, produced sixty years after the latest date given, so probably 1960s or 1970s?

[mart]

Most likely these were given to his customers !! There is a Salem Mfg. in Bellville NJ !!  Not unusual for larger companies to do this !! They could be ordered through the company and were given to his customers so they had the company name, factory rep name, for future orders !!

[Rauville]

They look like a style from Salem China located in Salem Ohio...maybe around the company's 60th anniversary in 1958.
http://www.salemohiohistory.com/HistoryMakers/salem-china.aspx

Compare with this set:
http://www.acorpe.com/id298.htm

[mart]

Could be but why the name and title !!  Or this guy may have worked for them !!