Manufacturer: Scammell China
Name of user: The Embassy Club, Philadelphia, Penn.
Date of examples:  Circa 1937 – 1954

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Notes: The matchbook cover, shown above, provides the identification for the rampant lion and crown logo used by The Embassy Club at 1418 Spruce Street, Philadelphia. When opened, the matchbook reveals that it was more of a night club than just a restaurant, and this is confirmed by newspaper ads for the club as well.  Described as "Rendezvous of the Smart Set," it provided a live orchestra and a dance floor.

In 1937, want ads began appearing adding more confirmation that Embassy Club was more than a restaurant. For example, this ad in the March 26, 1937, edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer: "HOSTESSES-Young girls, over 21 yrs., must be attractive, refined & good conversationalist for exclusive club, sat. Embassy Club, 1418 Spruce st. betw. 5-6 P.M."

The Feb. 9, 1938, Philadelphia Inquirer ran a story headlined: "Night Clubs Offer Star Attractions," and the first paragraph began: "At the Embassy Club Princess Sui-Sin charms with her exotic dances. Gloria Manners thrills; the Tic-Toc girl, Barbara Johnson, performs with spirit, and there are the sophisticated warbler, Edna Errico; petite Helen Benton, Cliff Hall with his Tom Thumb, and the sepia star, Billy Maples, while Pedro Bianco and his Rhumba Band supply the music."

The earliest found newspaper mention of the Embassy Club was in 1936 in an article in the Oct. 7, 1936, Philadelphia Inquirer about the city's midseason nightclub shows, mentioned "Tonight is the big fall opening at the Embassy Club. A host of celebrities is expected in addition to the unusually large show headed by Jerry Blanchard, mistress of ceremonies, who introduces ravishing Marian Bergeron, the Fuller Sisters, Ann Stevens, the Warwick Sisters and others."

A 1941 menu contains the same lion and crown logo. Latin American dance instruction was available in 1947. The Embassy was still in operation in 1956.

Scammell produced the Trenton China with the lion and crown crest in blue and brown. The decal border with fruit bowls and blue background, that flanks the crest, was used by a number of other customers.

Sources:
Philadelphia Jewish Exponent issues between 1937 and 1954
Philadelphia Inquirer ads and stories

Contributor:
ID and author: Larry Paul