Manufacturers: Jackson China, Shenango China
User: Archie's Lobster House, Roanoke, Virginia
Date of platters: Shenango, 1960; Jackson, 1962

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Notes: From the back of an undated menu (see above) comes this history of Archie's Lobster House:
"Archie's, named for its president and founder, Archie F. Parrish, began on a cold night in May 1947. A total of six people had dinner at Archie's that night. Over the years thousands have enjoyed the food and hospitality that has made Archie's nationally famous.
"The original name, Archie's Tavern, was changed one year after its origin to Archie's Lobster House and the operation moved to the present location on U.S. 11 and 22, 5 miles north of Roanoke, Virginia.
"In the year 1953, a sad and tearful little Cocker Spaniel puppy named Pal became a trademark and symbol of Archie's. He's always crying because 'They've all gone to Archie's' and he is always left at home.
"On October 20, 1960, Archie's Lobster House served the 1,000,000th Maine lobster."

The restaurant closed in 1978 and the building was razed in 1981.

It is not known why in addition to a lobster and Cocker Spaniel, a rooster was also occasionally used as part of the restaurant's signage.

In a more mid-century modern and sleeker take, these platters simply have a non-metallic gold line around the rim and in mid-rim the name Archie's in the same color as the line and in a similar italic font as the earlier design.

Sources:
Roanoke Public Libraries photos, circa 1947 and 1960
Facebook group Save the Signs

For more info:
Archie's Lobster House by Shensngo China

Contributor:
Attorney Anthony L. Draper, Jackson China platter photos