Identification
Photo reference
4 uploaded photos
Overview
Clear factory base marks confirm both makers (Kaysons Import Corp. and W.B.S.) and pattern names ('Golden Rhapsody' and 'Wheat'). The Kaysons mark includes an explicit 1961 copyright date, providing high confidence for the 1960s Mid-Century era.
Story
Produced in Japan during the post-WWII economic recovery, these wares were heavily exported to the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. Kaysons Import Corp. (often distributed through grocery store promotions or catalog sales) and W.B.S. capitalized on the mid-century American appetite for affordable, elegant fine china with metallic accents. The market for mid-century Japanese export china is saturated, with supply generally outpacing demand.
Maker / Origin
Kaysons Import Corp. / W.B.S.
Condition & Value
The visible photos confirm the presence of the items, but the exact condition of the delicate metallic (gold and platinum/silver) trim is unverified. Mid-century export porcelain is highly susceptible to trim rubbing from dishwasher use or stacking.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
The market for mid-century Japanese export china is saturated, with supply generally outpacing demand. Buyers are typically looking for replacement pieces to complete inherited sets rather than buying entire services. Consequently, individual plates, serving pieces, and small cohesive lots (like a set of 4 teacups) often sell faster and for a higher per-piece premium than massive complete sets, which are difficult and expensive to ship.
▲ Confirmed mid-century Japanese export marks (Kaysons 1961 and W.B.S.) establish authentic period lineage.
▲ Clean, minimalist mid-century aesthetic with metallic accents remains popular for vintage table settings.
▲ Secondary market demand for replacement pieces supports a baseline of $3-$5 per standard plate or cup.
▼ Unverified exact piece count — a smaller-than-expected lot size will drop the overall lot value proportionally.
▼ Unverified condition of metallic trim — rubbing or fading from dishwasher wear makes pieces nearly unsellable to replacement buyers.
▼ Unverified structural condition — any hidden chips, flea bites, or hairlines will reduce individual piece values to zero.
Best Venue
Inventory the exact number of pieces by pattern and form (e.g., dinner plates, salad plates, teacups). If serving pieces (teapots, platters, butter dishes) are present, list them individually on eBay or Etsy, as they command a premium. Group standard plates and cups into small lots of 4 to maximize shipping efficiency and appeal to replacement buyers.
Upside Potential
If the lot contains a high concentration of rare serving pieces (such as covered tureens, pristine teapots, or butter dishes) rather than just standard plates and cups, the collection could exceed the high estimate, as these individual pieces frequently trade in the $25-$40 range each.
Also found — market-range context
Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.