Hi, y'all! I've just recently discovered this forum and have so enjoyed 'lurking'. I've been reading old posts and learning a lot! Since you're obviously a very knowledgeable group, I'm hoping someone can help me solve The Great China Mystery. :)

My Haviland has the following backstamps:

* H & Co. -- In green underglaze. Since the initials are underlined, this would indicate it was produced in the period between 1876-1880, right?

* Depose -- This word (also in green underglaze) appears directly underneath the 'underline'. Okay, first question. I haven't seen any references to that on the websites that discuss markings. My high school French was pretty shaky even when I was in h.s. Many years later, the only vestiges that remain are of the "oui" and "merci" variety. lol So does "depose" just mean "for export" or something?

* Decorator's overstamp -- There's the double circle that looks like a Lifesaver mint, with "Haviland & Co." and "Limoges" stamped in. According to the info I've found, this would also date it to the period 1876-1880.

The pictures I've located for pieces made during this time frame all show a stamp that's blue. For a later period, it was changed to red. BUT...mine is gold. So, second question: Is there any particular significance to that?

* Date -- It's dated 1882-1888. Weirdly enough, the charts on markings actually skip over these particular years. So I guess my third question is, why is that? And the fourth is, why an 'inclusive' date? I can understand it being dated 1882...OR 1888...OR any year in between. But why 1882 *dash* 1888? Did they just arbitrarily decide on the front end that that's how long they'd keep the pattern in production? Surely there has to be a more reasonable explanation -- but I've wracked my brain and can't come up with one. (Btw, the dates are not stamped. They're handpainted.)

* Artist (?) -- Signed by T. C. Latreyte. Like the date, it is in black. Question #5: Anybody ever heard of dude? Also, I would definitely describe it as a signature, as opposed to a stamp. Passing your hand over it, you can feel that it's 'raised'. So I would pose Q #6 directly to lindac: Did this guy actually use his paintbrush to 'autograph' my china -- or am I just fantasizing here? :)

* Inexplicable info -- Okay, between the artist's signature and the date, there's another line that I can't quite decipher. It definitely says "28". And that is followed by an upper-case "D". There are 2 lower-case letters after that. The first might be an "l", or maybe a very fat "e". The third character is so faint that maybe it's just a symbol or a squiggle.

If you've stuck with me thus far, let me just add that I wouldn't be on such a 'mission' to identify just one plate or one cup and saucer. The thing is, I have a whole set of it. A very extensive set! It's beyond beautiful, and it has huge sentimental value. If anyone can provide information, I would be most grateful. It would just be so neat to know something about its' history! (And, yes, I've contacted the Haviland Collectors' Society -- twice. No response.)

TIA for any clues...

truegrits