This volume serves as a comprehensive cataloging system for the burgeoning market of limited-edition collector's plates during the mid-1970s. Authors Bartels and McKinven provide a structured framework for identifying, valuing, and authenticating porcelain and ceramic plates produced by various international manufacturers. By establishing a standardized registry, the text aims to bring order to the speculative and rapidly expanding hobby of plate collecting.

Collectors and antique dealers frequently cite this volume as a foundational reference for identifying vintage plate series from the 1970s. Experts note that while the pricing data is now historical, the descriptive cataloging remains a useful resource for provenance research.