Manufacturer: Scammell China
Name of user: Matador Room, Stockyard Inn, Chicago
Distributor: American China & Glassware Co., Chicago
Date of example: 1953

{"arrow":"false","pagination":"true","speed":"1000","autoplay":"true","autoplay_speed":"2000","loop":"true","slide_to_show_3d":"2","slide_show_ipad_3d":"2","slide_show_tablet_3d":"1","slide_show_mobile_3d":"1","slide_to_scroll_3d":"1","auto_stop":"false","centermode_3d":"true","space_between_3d":"0","depth":20,"modifier":20,"img_rotate":0,"img_stretch":0}

{"animation_fancy":"zoom-in-out","transition_fancy":"fade","fancy_box_loop":"true"}

Notes: The original Stockyard Inn was built in 1912 to replace an earlier hotel on the site that had been destroyed by fire The new inn was also destroyed by a major fire on May 19, 1934; on May 21, 1934, it was announced that the Stockyard Inn would be rebuilt. And rebuilt it was, at the cost of $600,000.

The new Stockyard Inn opened in October 1934. It was part of the 400-acre Chicago Stock Yards and adjoined the new International Amphitheatre, a convention center. The Stockyard Inn served as a gathering place for businessmen, politicians and celebrities. It contained several dining venues.

In November 1953, the new Matador Room opened in the Stockyard Inn. This dining room with Spanish motif was inspired by a visit to Spain by Mr. and Mrs. William Wood Prince. Mr. Prince was president of Union Stock Yard and Transit Co., owner of the Stockyard Inn. Interior decorator Ivo Meucci designed the room to be as authentic as it was comfortable. There was a tiled wine fountain, with bubbly fake wine. Black, yellow and red comprised the color scheme, with table linen in antique yellow.  Showcases displayed matador capes, caps and weapons that the Princes had collected in Spain. Waiters wore bolero jackets, white shirts with black string ties, satin cummerbunds, and trousers with flared cuffs.

The walls were covered in murals by Spanish artist Martinez de Leon, depicting a matador with flowing cape engaging with a bull. These murals inspired the artwork used on menu covers and matchbooks.

The Chicago Stock Yards closed in 1971. The Stockyard Inn was demolished in January 1977.

The matador with red cape trademark was used on the 10 1/2" service plates that Scammell produced for the Matador Room. These coupe-shape plates contain a complete overall gloss black glaze, with the crest illustration in white and red. Some known examples have a black glazed back with white backstamp; others are white with a black backstamp.

The 10 1/2" dinner plates – and the rest of this china service – is decorated with six black lines that decrease in thickness as they move away from the rim. This china is shown in a November 16, 1958, Chicago Tribune article. American China and Glassware, of Chicago, was the distributor.

Sources:
Chicago Tribune, May 21, 1934 – story about rebuilding
National Hotel Reporter, May 22, 1934 – fire
Chicago Tribune, Nov. 11, 1934 – photo of nearly completed Inn, open soon article
Chicago Tribune, Oct. 1, 1953 – information article
Chicago Tribune, Oct. 30, 1953 – opening article
Chicago Tribune, Nov. 8, 1953 – room opens article
Chicago Tribune, Nov. 2, 1954 – Matador Room ad
Chicago Tribune, Nov. 30, 1954 – photo of room with wine fountain
Taylorville Daily Breeze Courier, July 7, 1956 – room information
Chicago Tribune, Dec. 12, 1957 – light fixtures ad
Chicago Tribune, Nov. 16, 1958 – photos of china on table
ChicagoTribune.com – history

Larry Paul: author