I just lassoed myself a Westward Ho
Rodeo-Pattern Christmas Plate,
and let me tell ya — I didn't even know
such a gem existed 'til I stumbled clean into it.
That kind of discovery feels like spotting a glint of silver in the
desert sun: unexpected, thrilling, and impossible to ignore.
Now, she didn't come cheap. that dinner
plate'll set you back about $69, plus $12 shipping
from Wyominghome.com
Or $78 straight from TrueWestHome.com
Still, I reckoned it'd be a mighty fine swap
with my vintage Rodeo Pattern Plate
once Christmas rolls around.
The Westward Ho line traces its roots clear back to 1943
dreamed up by famed cowboy artist Til Goodan,
Born Tillman Parker Goodan in 1896,
the man lived the life he later drew—
working ranches, roping calves, braking horses,
running pack mules, riding in local rodeos.
When days work was done, he'd sketch by lamp light.
By 1917 he had gone freelance, turning out commercial art,
western oil paintings, and even Gene Autry Comic Books.
Teaming up with M.C. Wentz, Goodan created
a wide line of western gift ware.
(one glance on Google will show you just how deep his talent ran)
The plates themselves were manufactured by
Wallace China of Los Angeles
(These photos on Etsy say they're from the Wallace China Co. Circa 1933)
commissioned for the M.C. Wentz Company
of Pasadena, California
who wanted to sell sturdy, restaurant barbecue ware.
Goodan designed four patterns in the line—
Boots and Saddles, Pioneer Trails, Long Horn, And Rodeo.
Each one soaked in the romance of the American West.
These weren't dainty plates meant to gather dust in a china cabinet.
They earned their keep in restaurants, hotels,
and ranches across the country
Till's friend, Gene Autry, as well as Roy Rogers, Bing Crosby and Walt Disney— all owned sets of "Rodeoware"
Since 1990 True West has taken the reins,
bringing these patterns back to life, with the help
from Till's daughter, Betty Goodan Andrews.
But the Christmas card pattern is a something special—a true
treasure and a True West original, never before
produced back in the day.
The scene shows a cowboy riding home with a
surprise Christmas pony for his... daughter(?)
equal parts frontier grit and tender-hearted love.
My fascination with the original plate started years ago
when I spotted it in a Tales of the Flowers Blog
post featuring the Frontierland sitting room in
the Disney Dream Suite at Disneyland.
The Flowers family won a night's stay in the Dream Suite in 2012
and Joe photographed every last detail!
The room was designed as if a young Walt Disney
source
had been collecting everything that fired his imagination
objects that would one day inspire his
films and, eventually, the attractions in Disneyland.
The Disney plate bore Till Goodan's signature mark,
which set my wheels turning.
Early "True West" reproductions did not include his mark,
so I reckoned the Disney plate had to be an
original Wallace China piece.
That realization sent me riding straight to eBay,
where I found an early example for $91.00 plus $7.62 tax,
FREE shipping to boot.
Mine still carries the Wallace China mark, with
the Westward Ho - Rodeo stamp
just off to the side.
In 1959 Wallace China was acquired by Shenango China Company,
and later versions dropped the standalone Wallace mark,
centering the Westward Ho stamp instead.
eBay Image
Till Goodan passed on in 1958 and
the Westward Ho line road off into the sunset in 1964
after a 21 year run.
True West does offer few other plates in the Christmas card line.
but given the prices, I reckon my herd's complete.
they do however, carry an extensive collection of
the Rodeo-Pattern dinnerware and serveware, well
worth a look if you're inclined.
True West is proud that their Westward Ho china is
being used in the television series "Yellowstone"
Thanks for stopping by
happy hunting and from my trail to yours—
