Overview
An authentic Danish porcelain annual Christmas plate featuring a cobalt underglaze bas-relief scene of dog sledding under the North Star, titled 'Jul i Grønland / Christmas in Greenland'.
Identification
Bing & Grøndahl Christmas Plate 'Christmas in Greenland', 1972
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Story
Bing & Grøndahl (B&G) is a historic Danish porcelain manufacturer, famous for producing the world's first annual Christmas plate in 1895. The 1972 edition, titled 'Jul i Grønland' (Christmas in Greenland), was designed by artist Henry Thelander. It features B&G's signature cobalt blue underglaze technique, a hallmark of Danish porcelain that has been widely collected worldwide. The secondary market for mid-to-late 20th-century collector plates, including those by Bing & Grøndahl and Royal Copenhagen, is currently heavily saturated.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed
Condition & Value
The plate is described as being in excellent vintage condition. For mass-produced collector plates, value is entirely dependent on pristine condition; any chips, cracks, crazing, or surface scratches to the glaze would render the plate virtually unsellable.
Full Research
See what it's actually worth.
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Market Analysis
The secondary market for mid-to-late 20th-century collector plates, including those by Bing & Grøndahl and Royal Copenhagen, is currently heavily saturated. Supply vastly outstrips demand as many estates liquidate large collections simultaneously. Buyers today are typically casual collectors filling specific year gaps in their series or purchasing for nostalgic and decorative purposes, which keeps prices firmly in the $5 to $20 range.
Value Drivers
▲ Exact year and pattern match (1972 Christmas in Greenland) confirms identification and market placement.
▲ Signature Bing & Grøndahl cobalt blue underglaze remains a recognized and appreciated decorative style.
▲ Excellent reported condition preserves the baseline resale value.
Concerns
▼ Extreme market saturation for 1970s collector plates firmly caps the ceiling price.
▼ Shipping costs often exceed the value of the item, deterring online buyers.
▼ Unverified reverse side — a scratch through the factory trademark would indicate a 'factory second', reducing value.
Best Venue
Given the low individual value, listing this as a single item online may not yield a positive return after shipping and platform fees. Consider bundling this plate with other Danish blue porcelain or consecutive years of B&G Christmas plates to create a more attractive lot. If selling individually, a fast-sale price of $8-$10 on local marketplaces avoids shipping risks.
Upside Potential
There is virtually no upside potential for this mass-produced 1972 plate beyond the $20 retail ceiling, unless it is sold as part of a complete, multi-decade collection to a dedicated buyer.