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I questions about a dishware set my mom purchased yesterday at a tag sale. It is all white, octagonal, and stamped with green on the back "Independence Ironstone by Castleton China 1778." The set, 60+ pieces, includes everything from dinner plates to candlesticks to a soup toureen to platters. Most appear to be in perfect condition. A few do have crazing. I understand dishes with crazing aren't safe to eat off of.

I was wondering if anyone knows about this set, and what your feelings are on using it as everyday dishes for my family. I have two small children, and reading up on crazing I came across the idea of lead being in old dishes, which made me wonder if these dishes have lead in them.

Perhaps this more of a collector set that people show off rather than actually use? I just don't know. Thanks for any advice, or pointing me in the right direction. I haven't been able to find much by Googling.

That's the same set my in-laws used for their daily dishes for 20 yrs in the 80's and 90's. The dishes are old, but not that antiquey old that I would be concerned about lead. It certainly isn't a collector set in my opinion as they were very common.

Thanks! Aside from my lead concern, I am also worried about the crazing, and if dishwasher & microwave use will cause more. Perhaps this isn't a set to be used nowadays.

Plate label

Personally, I don't use any chipped, cracked, and/or crazed dishes. It's a carry-over from a hardworking dad and mother and we ate off dishes that were chipped, cracked, and crazed. I don't have to now.

Since those were made to be dishwasher "safe," they should not have crazed. IMHO They don't say "microwave safe." I wouldn't put them in the MW. Me...I would set aside the crazed dishes and use those that are perfect.

This pattern came out in the early 60's. They made only white at the time, but later had patterns and colors (I had some Yellow). I bought my first white set while stationed in Japan, 1961 to 1963. There were cannisters, coffee and tea pots, vases, and all sorts of other things. I wouldn't worry about lead.

For a china fanatic like me those dishes are practically brand new! You don't have to worry about them!

Navy Wife, so nice to see you again! Hope all is well with you and yours.

Navy wife -- it is good to see you again! I had a set of those as well -- bought in Asia when my husband was in Viet Nam -- late 60s instead of early 60s.

Martha