A highly collectible item these days is the old china that the railroad lines used in their dining cars. The various lines had specific patterns of china service. These days, there are reproductions of many of the patterns, however, the china pieces I incorporate in my jewelry art come from the original china patterns. Since most of the china is rather valuable, mine come from broken pieces. Below are examples of some of my favorite china patterns and to the best of my knowledge, a little history with each one.
Union Pacific Railroad China – Pattern: Historical Series -
Made by Syracuse China Co., New York. This pattern was used from 1925 to mid
1950's. The plate had one buffalo and one Union Pacific shield and the rest of
the plate rim was surrounded by five different pictures mirror imaged. The
pictures commemorate the U.P. and the Central Pacific completing the first
coast-to-coast U.S. rail system.
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad China - Known as The Santa Fe Railroad. Mary Coulter of the Santa Fe, who is credited with this patterns invention, from the Mimbreno Series made by Syracuse China, very strictly supervised this pattern. The pattern was to commemorate the ancient Mimbres Indians of New Mexico.
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad China. Known as The Santa Fe Railroad. This piece of china is from the California Poppy series, made by Syracuse China, New York. The china was used from 1895 to 1970.
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad China Known as The Santa Fe Railroad. Made by Bauscher China, Germany Used From 1890 to about 1910. Most pieces had borders of the Griffon.
Western Pacific R.R. This piece of china is from the Feather River Route series, made by Shenango China in the Inca Ware - Tan, New Castle, Pennsylvania. Produced from 1947 - 1949.
St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad known as The Frisco Railroad. This is the Blue Denmark pattern made by Syracuse China, NY. Used in the 1930’s and also a Fred Harvey pattern for the Santa Fe.
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R.R. Pattern: Violets and Daisies. Made by Syracuse China Co., New York. This pattern was first used in 1919 and used through 1970. The pattern shows violet sprays with usually one daisy somewhere in the pattern: Back stamped pieces carry heavy value premium.
San Pedro, Los Angeles Salt Lake R.R. This piece of China is from the Harriman Blue Salt Lake Route, made by Maddocks China, England. Very old, rare and used mid-1890’s through 1910 or 1915.
