Blue and White Platter

Description:

I purchased this blue and white platter at an estate auction in Milan, Illinois, in 1995.  The border seems to be transfer printed, as there is an overlap that can be seen at the left side and the bottom of the design.  The foot rim of the plate is unglazed.  The plate seems to be hand-painted under the glaze.  There are a few light scratches in the center of the platter, but it doesn't appear to have been used much.  It is 10" x 12".

Generator

Description:

I can't figure out what this is - and maybe it's a worthless piece of junk - but it intrigued me just the same. It was labeled as a magnet but it is actually a hand-cranked generator that I can connect wires to and it still produces a current. I just can’t figure out where it comes from and what it was meant to provide power to. It is obviously very old. It has connectors where wires can be attached and the front and back which appear to be brass.