Collector plates sought by local man
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
MARS HILL — A local resident is hoping the public can help him locate collector plates his father handed out a century ago in celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the family business.
CALENDAR PLATES like this one were handed out in 1912 in honor of H. Adelman’s Dry Goods & Clothing store in Mars Hill. 
Milt Adelman, the store owner’s son, is hoping to track down a few to give as gifts to his grandchildren and is offering $100 a plate for anyone wishing to sell theirs.
Milton Adelman, son of Hiram Adelman, is looking for the unique plates which feature various designs and include calendars for the year 1912.
“The plates are marked H. Adelman, Dry Goods & Clothing, Mars Hill. They were printed in various patterns and included calendars, flowers and other images,” said Adelman. “My father had them specially made to mark his 10th anniversary in business.”
Adelman said his father was known for handing out such gifts to his customers in appreciation of their business.
“He gave many novelty items, including mirrors, calendars and tool kits. But this is something special. The plates would be 100 this year,” he said.
To date, Adelman said he’s picked up about five plates — the most recent obtained from a Canadian woman.
“She contacted me and told me about the plate. She brought it over from Canada,” said Adelman, noting this one was in great shape. “My brother, Yale, had one in his office that got broken. He painstakingly worked to glue it back together. Now I have it in my office.”
Adelman, who’s 88, said he’d like to find enough plates in time for Christmas to pass on to his family.
“I have 11 grandchildren. I’d like to give them all one. I have my kids looking online for them but haven’t had a lot of luck tracking them down,” he said.
Hoping to persuade anyone who might have one of the plates to part with it, Adelman is offering $100 per plate as a type of reward.
“I’ll pay the owner or present the money to a charity of their choice,” said Adelman, noting his brother tried something similar in the past with little luck. “He offered $25 per plate. Several people told us they had plates but weren’t willing to part with them at that time.”
Adelman said chances are the original owners have passed on and now any remaining plates are in the possession of their heirs.
“I’m hoping folks will be willing to check the attic, basement or closet for these plates and are willing to part with them. It would mean the world to me to be able to pass these on to my grandchildren,” said Adelman.
Adelman will soon be heading to Florida for the winter but would love to hear from anyone in possession of one of these unique pieces of his family’s history.
“If anyone has one of these plates, please call me at 207-551-8607,” said Adelman.
