The California-based Wallace issued its first piece of Western-themed china in 1945 and its last in 1964. The backstamp -- a marking on the back or bottom of a piece of china indicating its manufacturer -- features a covered wagon, the name Wallace China and an outline of California with the phrase "Made in California." Later Westward Ho china might have the Shenango logo, as that company purchased Wallace in 1959 and began gradually using its stamp instead of Wallace's.
True West bases its backstamp on Wallace's but adds a rider on a bucking bronco as well as its own name and place of manufacture -- either Comanche or Goldthwaite, Texas, or simply "Made in the U.S.A." The full True West backstamp is too large to place on smaller items, such as salt shakers, and so the horse and rider are omitted.
The Wallace and True West collection differ in pieces offered. True West has a Christmas-themed collection never made by Wallace, while the Wallace collection contains, for example, a 9-inch round serving bowl not issued by True West. The colors in True West patterns do not vary, while vintage Wallace colors vary from piece to piece.