According
to Doug McIntyre's book, "The
Official Guide to Dining Car China,"
the New York Central Railroad's "DeWitt Clinton" pattern
is one of the more common patterns in railroad china. This is
hardly surprising, simply due to the sheer number of dining cars
operated by the New York Central. Still, there is something about
the color and simplicity of the DeWitt Clinton pattern that is
very appealing. Its design is elegant, unostentatious, and a particularly
apt reflection of the New York Central's conservative but classy
passenger operations.
To the best of my understanding, there were only
two companies that manufactured china in this pattern for the
New York Central: Onandaga Pottery Company (Syracuse China) and
Buffalo China. Furthermore, it appears that neither company made
all of the pieces in this pattern. Both companies made some pieces,
while many other pieces were made by one or the other, but not
both.
Following
is a listing of all of the various pieces of DeWitt Clinton china
that I have been able to discover, along with the manufacturer,
if known. This list is based on pieces I have seen in mailing
lists, auction brochures and web sites, as well as items in my
own collection or the collections of friends and acquaintances.
I have tried to use the names that are most commonly associated
with the various pieces. Upper
right. A
nine-inch dinner plate in the DeWitt Clinton pattern.
Lower right. Closeup
of same.
| Description |
Buffalo
China
|
Syracuse
China
|
No
Mfr's Stamp
|
| 11-1/4"
diameter x 6" deep Soup Toureen with Lid |
|
(X) |
X |
| 16"
x 11-3/4" Oval Platter (Turkey Plate) |
|
X |
|
| 12-1/2"
x 8-1/2" Oval Platter |
X |
 |
|
| 9-1/2"
x 6-1/2" Oval Platter |
|
X |
|
| 9-5/8" x 6-1/2" Oval Platter |
X |
|
|
| 11-1/2"
x 7-1/2" Rectangular Platter |
X |
X |
|
| 8-3/4"
x 5-3/4" Rectangular Platter |
X |
X |
|
| 9-1/2"
x 4-1/2" Celery Dish |
X |
|
|
| 6"
x 4-1/2" Rectangular sauce Dish |
X |
|
|
| 5-5/8"
x 4-3/4" Rectangular sauce Dish |
|
X |
|
| 5"
Veggie Dish with Econo-Rim |
|
X |
|
| 10-3/8" Dinner Plate |
|
X |
|
| 9"
Dinner Plate |
X |
|
|
| 9"
Soup Plate |
X |
X |
|
| 7-1/2"
Dessert Plate (a.k.a. Bread Plate, Salad Plate) |
X |
X |
|
| 6"
diameter Saucer |
X |
X |
|
| Coffee
Cup – tapered shape |
X |
X |
|
| Coffee
Cup - straight sided |
|
X |
|
| 4-1/2"
diameter Demi Saucer |
X |
X |
|
| Demi
Cup |
X |
(X) |
X |
| Footed
Mug (a.k.a. Handled Double Egg Cup) |
|
|
X |
| 6"
x 5" Ice Cream Shell |
X |
|
|
| Gravy
Boat |
X |
(X) |
X |
| 3-3/4"
Handled Creamer |
(X) |
X |
X |
| 4-1/2"
Handled Creamer |
X |
X |
|
| Double
Egg Cup |
X |
|
|
| Single
Egg Cup |
(X) |
(X) |
X |
| 5-1/2"
Double Handled Soup Cup |
|
X |
|
| 3-3/4"
diameter Bouillon Cup |
X |
X |
|
| 4-3/8"
diameter x 1-3/8" ht Ramekin |
|
X |
|
| 4-1/2" diameter x 1-1/4" ht Ramekin |
X |
|
|
| 5-3/4"
diameter Hot Food Cover |
|
|
X |
| 6"
Cereal Bowl (a.k.a. Salad Bowl) |
X |
X |
|
| 6"
Cereal Bowl (a.k.a. Salad Bowl) with Econo-Rim |
|
X |
|
| 7-1/2"
diameter x 3-3/4" ht Compote |
|
X |
|
| 10"
Dinner Plate (1981 Mohawk & Hudson Chapter of NRHS piece) |
|
X |
|
| 4-3/4"
Veggie Dish (1981 Mohawk & Hudson Chapter of NRHS piece) |
|
X |
|
| 9"
Dinner Plate (1981 Mohawk & Hudson Chapter of NRHS piece
- no loco in center of plate) |
|
X |
|
| 6-1/2"
diameter Plate (1981 Mohawk & Hudson Chapter of NRHS piece) |
|
X |
|
| 5-3/4"
diameter Saucer (1981 Mohawk & Hudson Chapter of NRHS
piece) |
|
X |
|
| Coffee
Cup (1981 Mohawk & Hudson Chapter of NRHS piece) |
|
X |
|
Notes
This
web page is an adaptation of an article "Collecting - What
are the limits?" that appeared in the Fall, 2003 Express.
It includes markings that have been reported after the article
was published. New markings will be added as they are reported.
The
X's in parenthesis represent my best guess as to the manufacturer
when the piece is not marked. For example, I have two single eggcups
in my collection. Neither is marked as to whom the manufacturer
is, hence the 'X' in the "No Mfr's Stamp" column. Based
on the differences in the color of the china and the decals, as
well as the overall shape and thickness of the pieces themselves,
I believe that one was made by Buffalo China and the other by
Syracuse China.
I
have been told by a reliable source that a full-sized water pitcher
was made, but I have not seen any evidence to support that claim.
If anyone has any additions or corrections to this list I would
love to hear from you. Email me at Mark.W.Rossiter@usa.xerox.com
