Thanks for asking.
What a nice pattern! I'm so glad you've managed to upload photos. I
can easily see the difference between the pattern I discovered and
your own.
After checking through over 300 Shenango patterns I couldn't find an
exact match at this time, however, I've discovered a number of
websites you'll be able to browse, and hopefully locate items in your
pattern whenever they -do- come onto the market.
Let's first try decipher as much as we possibly can from the decal on
the back. Shenango is obviously the manufacturer. The line is Rim Rol,
made from Wel Roc, a Shenango proprietary formula pottery ceramic. The
91?? probably refers to the width of the plate, 9 and some fraction of
an inch. The most common 9+ diameter is 9 1/4". T-14 is apparently a
date mark, though I've located several opinions of the dates used. One
source claims that T-14 refers to a period of 1912-1920, but the
majority of sources claim that T-14 was used for dinnerware
manufactured in 1956, some sources even specify January - June of
1956. It seems that the decal has only a partial pattern name still
visible. I have not been able to locate a name match among known
patterns.
Shenango was one of the premier manufacturers of restaurant china. The
Rim Rol line was restaurantware. Because of this, though many pieces
have have been manufactured, most have simply disappeared as they've
worn out. In restaurant use, pieces simply are not saved and treasured
in the same manner of china at home. The china was certainly available
for individual use and purchase, but the marketing effort was solely
to the restaurant trade. The primary usage and distribution makes it
more difficult to locate and obtain these restaurant patterns.
The website with the most comprehensive history of Shenango china has
closed, so we're limited to cached copies from Google and the Internet
Archive. I'll hit the high points, but suggest that you visit the
original page to read the detailed history.
History of Shenango China
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The company that would be known as Shenango began life as the New
Castle China Company, buying and occupying the New Castle
(Pennsylvania) Shovel Works plant in 1901, converting it to a
commercial pottery. The Shenango China Company was also incorporated
in 1901. Shenango's 150 employees manufactured hotel ware and
dinnerware.
In 1912 Shenango purchased the New Castle China Company and merged
operations. The potteries chose New Castle not because of nearby clay
deposits, but because of the soft coal which was used to fire the
beehive Rims (kilns) of that era. From 1909 until 1935, the entire
production of Shenango Pottery was devoted to commercial china
(hotels, restaurants, and institutions).
From 1936 to 1958, in addition to their commercial china, Shenango
Pottery Company also made china for the Theodore Haviland Company of
France. They also formed a partnership with Rosenthal China of
Germany, incorporating the acclaimed shapes and designs under the
brand of Castleton.
Shenango changed hands several times, due to buyouts, mergers, and
acquisitions. The Sobiloff Brothers acquired majority interest in
Shenango by 1959. Sobiloff purchased Mayer China of Pennsylvania and
Wallace China on the West Coast. Shenango was purchased by Interspace
in 1968, and sold, in turn, to Anchor Hocking in 1979.
"More changes soon were to come. In 1987, Anchor Hocking sold Shenango
China to the Newell Company of Freeport, Illinois. Six months later
they sold the plant to Canadian Pacific, the parent company of
Syracuse China. Syracuse closed the plant and reorganized. Former
employees had to reapply for their positions. Many were not hired
back.
In 1989, Canadian Pacific decided to divest itself of its china
manufacturers, selling Shenango, Mayer, and Syracuse to the
Pfaltzgraff Company of York, PA. The Mayer operation was moved to the
Shenango plant. Plans were made for further expansion, but the
economic downturn and changes in demand resulted in consolidation and
the eventual closing of the Shenango plant."
History of Shenango China (Google Cache)
http://216.239.53.104/search?q=cache:e3e2pUFaNuAJ:www.ilovehistory.com/Collections/Shenango_China/History_of_Shenango_China/history_of_shenango_china.html+shenango+china+history&hl=en
Internet Archive (Wayback Machine) - History of Shenango China
http://web.archive.org/web/20030402021521/http://www.ilovehistory.com/Collections/Shenango_China/History_of_Shenango_China/history_of_shenango_china.html
China Images
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You've done wonderfully at uploading images of your plate to assist
the pattern search. I am going to suggest that if possible, you take a
couple more shots, taking care to hold the camera still, and perhaps
try the shot with the camera lens an additional 6 - 12 inches from the
plate. If you don't have a tripod and remote shutter release, try the
auto timer, with the camera balanced on books or other stacked objects
so that it's even the center of the plate (prop it upright, or use a
plate stand). Place a single color cloth or poster board behind the
plate. Black or white are the best background colors.
Reverse the plate and take a picture of the decal(s). Another way to
reproduce the decals is to use a copier. The copier will usually
produce a very sharp image that can be scanned at high resolution,
then uploaded.
It's perfectly fine to use your techeze.net web space to host your photos.
Shenango For Sale
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I located Shenango items for sale on these websites. Most have a
notification feature. You can request e-mail notification if Shenango
pieces are added to those on sale.
Country Joe's Restaurant and Hotel China
http://countryjoe.bizland.com/rest-1.html
AOL Classifieds (Search on Shenango)
http://classifieds.aol.com/global/1/1001483/1001484/1007064/1000246/S1/00001.htm
AOL Classifieds (Restaurantware)
http://classifieds.aol.com/global/1/1001483/1001484/1007066/S1/00001.htm
Shenango China (Restaurantware)
http://www.restaurantwarecollectors.com/rwcnids/shen/shen.htm
Shenango at Steph's Stuff
http://pages.tias.com/922/InventoryPage/768994/1.html
Annie's Avenue - Collectibles : Pottery : Restaurant Ware
http://www.rubylane.com/shops/anniesavenue/,cs=Collectibles%3aPottery%3aRestaurant%20Ware
Christine Nagy's Depression Glass & More (Search on Shenango)
http://www.trocadero.com/cndg/catalog/Vintage_Arts:Decorative_Art:Ceramics.html
And of course, eBay. Simply search on Shenango.
http://www.ebay.com
Shenango Replacement Pieces
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China Replacement Services will "search" your pattern for you, and
offer you the opportunity to purchase whatever pieces they locate. You
can click through the long list and doublecheck the images to see if
your pattern has been added since my own search. I looked at 57 named
patterns, as well as 235 numbered patterns.
Replacements Ltd.
http://www.replacements.com/china/SHO.htm
Replacements, Ltd. lists over 200 different Shenango china patterns,
with images of each. Replacements, Ltd. has over 800 suppliers from
across the country, including jewelry stores, department stores,
estate sales and auctions. Their FAQ states: "We are constantly
looking for inventory in all the patterns that we carry and have the
most efficient, successful search service in the world."
Replacements, Ltd. - Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.replacements.com/faq.htm
With free registration (by phone or online) Replacements, Ltd. will
work with you to identify your pattern, and then work to locate
matching pieces, or multiple items. You'll have an opportunity to
describe your pattern, and upload your images as well.
Online Registration Form
http://www.replacements.com/registration/form.htm
Replacements, Ltd. also offers helpful Pattern Identification information.
Pattern Identification
http://www.replacements.com/identify.htm
Most of the China Replacement websites are affiliate sites of
Replacement, Ltd. I believe you'll be better served by dealing with
the original, rather than the copies.
Dinner in the Diner is another well organized China Replacement
service. Dinner in the Diner offers an uncomplicated Browse feature,
so that you can compare many Shenango patterns quickly and easily.
Dinner in the Diner Catalog
http://www.cabinclass.com/dinnerinthediner/pages/catalogue/mfg_main/sgo_list.htm
"If you do not see your pattern listed....
Remember, this list is incomplete! We are constantly searching for and
adding new patterns to stock. The best way to insure that we will be
looking for your pattern is to register with us. Registration is FREE,
and there is never any obligation to purchase!"
Dinner in the Diner Pattern Registration
http://www.cabinclass.com/dinnerinthediner/pages/forms/form_reg_01.htm
Search Strategy
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I used the following Google Search Terms to locate information about
Shenango China. You may duplicate my searches by typing the terms as
shown (quotes and all) into the Google Search Box.
shenango china patterns
"shenango china" "rim rol"
shenango restaurantware
shenango china green
shenango china blue
shenango china scalloped
I hope you find this information useful in your quest for matching
your childhood dinnerware. If you have questions about the information
or links I've provided, please, feel free to ask for clarification.
Best regards,
---larre |
