Manufacturer: Carr China
User: Joe's Restaurant
Pattern name: Underglaze print pattern #6001, Yosemite
Distributor: L. Barth & Son, New York
Date of platter: 1916-1925
Notes: From a two-part history of Joe's in Brownstoner.com: "A restaurant with a simple name like 'Joe's' hardly seems to be the kind of place where the average diner could rub elbows with the movers and shakers, but that was part of the charm of Joe's. One part of its vast dining room could be hosting a First Communion breakfast, while the banquettes in the back were occupied by some of Brooklyn's most powerful politicians and power brokers.
"A small time mobster, out of prison to testify at a trial of one of the Murder Inc. gang could find himself and his two police handlers a table away from Branch Rickey, the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Awestruck, and still in handcuffs, he would ask Rickey for an autograph for the boys back on the cell block.
"This actually happened, and is one of the tales of Joe's at 330 Fulton Street, on the corner of Pierrepont Street in Brooklyn Heights. …"
The first Joe's was opened in 1909 by Joseph Balzarini and Joseph Sartori on the Bowery at Coney Island – both men originally from Italy.
Next they opened their second location at Fulton and Pierrepont streets in Brooklyn. This was followed by a third location on Nevins Street, near Flatbush Avenue. And eventually ad additional partner joined the mix as well, Fred Magiolo.
Whether by fires or owner's death or taking one of the buildings through eminent domain, by 1959 the first Joe's on Fulton Street had been razed. It is not known when all of the restaurants ceased to be in business.
The date of 1916-1925 for this platter is based on the year that Carr China began production in 1916, and also the year that L. Barth & Son was bought out by Albert Pick in 1926. The pattern is a simple spiral of ribbon intertwined with flowers, all in green. "Joe's" in a script font is a match for many of the matchbooks, menus and ads found for the restaurants.
Sources:
Brownstoner.com – Part 1
Brownstoner.com – Part 2
Brooklyn Daily Eagle – Oct. 24, 1941, ad
Contributors:
Susan Phillips, ID and platter photos
Charles H. Sovine, Joe's ad
Postcard: MGK_MAN's Postcards and Stuff