California-based Gladding, McBean and Co. began producing Franciscan dinnerware in the 1930s. Their introduction of Franciscan Apple in 1940 heralded a new product line featuring heavily sculpted, embossed dinnerware hand-decorated in brilliant colors. Desert Rose, introduced a year later, became the top selling dinnerware pattern in the world. Many additional patterns were produced through 1984, when the Franciscan plant in Glendale, California was closed. This comprehensive guide focuses solely on Franciscan hand-decorated embossed dinnerware manufactured in the United States and includes Apple, Desert Rose (and its three variations), Wild Flowers, Ivy, Fruit, California Poppy, October, Forget-Me-Not, Strawberry Fair, Strawberry Time, Fresh Fruit, Bountiful, Rosette, and Bouquet. Over 430 color photos illustrate these highly collectible pieces while the captions provide values, sizes, and other information for each pattern. An extensive company history and detailed shape listings are included. This is the complete reference for collectors of Franciscan hand-painted embossed dinnerware. AUTHOR: James F. Elliot-Bishop began collecting Franciscan Ware in 1981 and has many years of experience buying and selling collectible California pottery. He produced the Fransciscan Newsletter from 1992 to 2000 and maintains a web site for collectors at www.gmcb.com. James is also the author of Franciscan, Catalina, and Other Gladding, McBean Wares.