In 1968, the Franklin Mint was founded. This company with a classy sounding name created a bunch of collectibles. The most infamous product: the collectible plate, which was sort of a thing in the 70’s and 80’s.
Some of these became highly sought after, with words like “limited edition” meant to promote a sense of scarcity. A quick browsing of eBay these days show that such plates are going for 15%-25% of their original value. (There are some of high value, but are generally tied to a specific artist.) But who knows: collectible plates might be making a comeback. Their inherent kitschiness is just too potent.
Collectible plate companies also dabbled a lot in pop culture touchstones, such as The Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind, and more modern masterpieces. Here lies the true appeal of collectible plates: you wanted to decorate your house with pop cultural favorites, but movie posters were just too college dorm. What would look at home next to the fancy dinner set in your china cabinet, after all?
The set of Star Trek helmsmen, that’s what!
While actually eating off these plates is hardly recommended it would be hard to resist the temptation of eating spaghetti straight off of Riker’s face.