How can I buy a vintage railroad/ship/airline stoneware tea set?
June 16, 2013 1:15 PM Subscribe
I'm trying to find and buy a vintage tea set made of china from a railroad/airline/ship. Over the years I've come across a few cups from boats or trains that I liked a lot - I'd like to get an entire tea set (or at least a teapot and teacup), but I seem to be using the wrong nomenclature or searching in the wrong place.
I liked the vintage railroad/boat cups I saw because they seemed designed to be abused (made of heavy stoneware) and often had the logo of the railroad or the oceanliner on them. I thought tea sets must be floating around but I haven't found anything on ebay/ruby lane/etsy/etc. other than the occasional single item for railroad china (none at all for vintage airline or maritime china). At this point - I'm only looking for a set (at least a teapot and two cups). Am I using the wrong nomenclature to look for them? Are they just not all that prevalent?
Thanks for any suggestions!
I liked the vintage railroad/boat cups I saw because they seemed designed to be abused (made of heavy stoneware) and often had the logo of the railroad or the oceanliner on them. I thought tea sets must be floating around but I haven't found anything on ebay/ruby lane/etsy/etc. other than the occasional single item for railroad china (none at all for vintage airline or maritime china). At this point - I'm only looking for a set (at least a teapot and two cups). Am I using the wrong nomenclature to look for them? Are they just not all that prevalent?
Thanks for any suggestions!
The Jordan Pond House Restaurant in Acadia National Park, on Mount Desert Island, Maine serves afternoon tea. When I was there @ 4 years ago, they had these green teapots that are very rugged and retro, and reminded me of a train trip I took in 1969. Here's a better picture. They sold them in the gift shop, but I have several teapots, so I passed. This isn't the one I admired, but it references the green teapot. You could call the gift shop. They also sell sturdy white old diner-style cups & saucers.
Some flickr pictures that show the teapot
Also, here is the recipe for the Jordan House popovers, which were wonderful with tea.
posted by theora55 at 1:53 PM on June 16, 2013
Some flickr pictures that show the teapot
Also, here is the recipe for the Jordan House popovers, which were wonderful with tea.
posted by theora55 at 1:53 PM on June 16, 2013
At Fishs Eddy in New York they seem to call it sturdyware. Usually when I visit the store they have quite a bit of stuff from ships and trains although a cursory search of the website just now didn't turn up much. You might want to sign up for their email list to get some more leads.
posted by bcwinters at 1:58 PM on June 16, 2013
posted by bcwinters at 1:58 PM on June 16, 2013
It's going to be hard to find a full set of actual vintage railroad or ship or hotel or restaurant china. You will pay a premium for a full set because they're so uncommon. Individual pieces are more common because people had them as souvenirs. You're more likely to find a saucer and a cup than a teapot; there were many fewer of those made, and they tended to stay in the custody of the railroad/ship/hotel/restaurant more often.
This may be something you have to assemble piecemeal. Find a teapot (you like), and then track down the more findable matching teacups.
My only other suggestion is that you might have better luck on British antique sites; Americans drink less tea, and many of those cups were served Coffee from decanters that were increasingly not china as time went on.
posted by julen at 2:05 PM on June 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
This may be something you have to assemble piecemeal. Find a teapot (you like), and then track down the more findable matching teacups.
My only other suggestion is that you might have better luck on British antique sites; Americans drink less tea, and many of those cups were served Coffee from decanters that were increasingly not china as time went on.
posted by julen at 2:05 PM on June 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
Check the California State Railway Museum.
Mimbreno dinnerware was designed by Mary Colter for Santa Fe's exclusive Super Chief train. Reproductions are hand-decorated in America, and are microwavable and can be placed in the dish washer.
They seem to have lots of options as far as serving pieces, place settings etc.
posted by jvilter at 4:20 PM on June 16, 2013
Mimbreno dinnerware was designed by Mary Colter for Santa Fe's exclusive Super Chief train. Reproductions are hand-decorated in America, and are microwavable and can be placed in the dish washer.
They seem to have lots of options as far as serving pieces, place settings etc.
posted by jvilter at 4:20 PM on June 16, 2013
Have you checked MidShipCentury.com? They may have something you like in their shop.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 3:44 AM on June 17, 2013
posted by soundofsuburbia at 3:44 AM on June 17, 2013
Last time I was there the Army-Navy store in Provincetown, MA had loads of airline dishware.
Searching Railroad dishes should get you some results. You do realize the stuff is highly collectible. I have never seen a complete set of any original railroad dishware for sale. Repros have been found in Harvard Square, but I can't remember the store name.
posted by Gungho at 7:19 AM on June 17, 2013
Searching Railroad dishes should get you some results. You do realize the stuff is highly collectible. I have never seen a complete set of any original railroad dishware for sale. Repros have been found in Harvard Square, but I can't remember the store name.
posted by Gungho at 7:19 AM on June 17, 2013
Maybe search for china made by Homer Laughlin china. I think they make these cute dishes for Pendleton
posted by vespabelle at 2:37 PM on June 17, 2013
posted by vespabelle at 2:37 PM on June 17, 2013
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posted by BlahLaLa at 1:21 PM on June 16, 2013