Possible tale of double serendipity

[Duer 157099]

So I have this plate, a hand painted signed porcelain plate, and on the back, all it says is:

"To Elinor, April 13, 1964, Mable Edwards"

So I google to see what I can learn. Not much luck with just the artist's name, so I add the "Elinor" to the search, and turn up an interesting little story here:

http://home.earthlink.net/~velderkin/everydayliving/nudgedawake.htm

(go read it, I'll wait til you get back - it will make my story more coherent)

dum de dum... oh, you're back? OK, so, I'm thinking well, it's likely not the same "Elinor" since in that link, it was the person's middle name. Only, after going to IMDB.com, learn that this actress indeed does/has gone by her middle name, sometimes with that spelling. Still, a long shot, because there's no indication that the Mable in that story was a painter. So, that's about the end of the road but I decide to check one last thing, which is the date - perhaps that is Elinor's birthday or something? So, over to Wikipedia to learn that Elinor Donahue was born April 19, 1937.

Still not a perfect match and could just be a huge coincidence, but still... especially given the nature of the story at the link...

Oh, and I acquired this dish many years ago, when I was living in the SoCal/L.A. area, so the locale fit.

[NMDemDist2]

1. I think I'd contact the blogger and have him send it on to the Scott Edwards person

what a cool story!

[Duer 157099]

2. I tried, but the email bounced

Too bad "Scott Edwards" is such a common name, google can't even help.

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. Post a pic of the plate?

:party:

[Duer 157099]

4. Sure - it's actually very pretty

[Whoa_Nelly]

5. Pretty!

I believe you are correct re: story you found, Elinor and Mabel

Elinor has a book (Memories and Cookbook combo)

Anyway, maybe you can contact her and ask about the plate via the publisher.

The book:
http://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Elinor-Donahue-Favorite-Hollywood/dp/188895292X

The back cover with info:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/188895292X/ref=sib_dp_pop_bc?ie=UTF8&p=S07O#reader-link

[Duer 157099]

6. I'm getting that book - did you see there's a chapter titled:

"The Beautiful Plate My Teacher Gave Me That Somehow Got Misplaced" ???

I grew up in that area around MGM studios in Culver City, I love reading books where I know the streets and stores and restaurants they talk about! First I need to see if my library has it, but if not, I'll buy it.

You are a great research partner, you find the things I don't think to look for :thumbsup: Thank you! :D

[grasswire]

7. gosh, what a story!!

You are in love with the research just as much as I am. I just love finding the thread and following it to see where it goes. I've had that kind of fun with old autograph books and family papers.

Wouldn't it be cool to have a TV show where someone tracks down the original owner of a family heirloom each episode?

[suninvited]

8. That is an incredible story !!

How exciting to think it might have been Elinor's plate. I wonder if there is any way you could get an email address on Elinor and email her directly to ask about the plate.

[grasswire]

9. her husband is Lou Genevrino

Maybe you can find a contact in this:

Elinor Donahue was born on April 19, 1937. Elinor has four sons: Brian, Peter, James and Chris Ackerman. She also has two step-children: Susan Peterson and Stephen Ackerman. She was married to her former spouse Harry Ackerman from 1961 until his death in 1991. She had another husband, a man named Richard Smith, whom she divorced. Her current husband, Lou Genevrino, has been married to her since 1999.

http://everything2.com/e2node/Elinor%2520Donahue

[Whoa_Nelly]

10. Good catch, grasswire! And here are the Zabasearch results! Bingo!

ELINOR D GENEVRINO Born 1937 More Info about ELINOR D GENEVRINO Record Created: 07/2003
78533 SUNRISE MOUNTAIN VW Satellite Photo & Map Google Elinor D Genevrino
PALM DESERT, CA 92211 White Pages Business Listings

Same address AND a phone number!

L GENEVRINO More Info about L GENEVRINO Record Created: Unknown
78533 SUNRISE MOUNTAIN VW Satellite Photo & Map Google L Genevrino
PALM DESERT, CA 92211 [phone]

LOUIS G GENEVRINO Born 1939 More Info about LOUIS G GENEVRINO Record Created: 01/2002
78533 SUNRISE MOUNTAIN VW Satellite Photo & Map Google Louis G Genevrino
PALM DESERT, CA 92211 White Pages Business Listings

http://www.zabasearch.com/query1_zaba.php?sname=LOU%20GENEVRINO&state=ALL&ref=&se=&doby=&city=&name_style=1&tm=

[Duer 157099]

11. Yikes! You people scare me! (in a good way)

What, no email addy? C'mon, you're just not trying!

So now I want to hear suggestions for how to approach this without looking/sounding like a deranged stalker.

Remember that we don't even know if our Mable was a painter! And that painting doesn't look very amateurish to me - and it's signed on the topside too, lest anyone think she just had the bottom marked for the gift.

Now what?

[Whoa_Nelly]

12. I would just send a polite letter of inquiry along with photos of the plate

Saying something like trying to intrude, but bought this recently, etc.

And that you used zabasearch.com to locate the address, and hope that you ahve the correct person.

You can do it! :toast: