Manufacturer: Syracuse China
User: Hotel Mayfair
Date of plate: 1947
Date of creamer: 1940s

Photograph of the Hotel Mayfair showing the 44-foot sign on the corner.

{"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: Although we have not found a "smoking gun" for this china's identity, based on numerous references that it was used at the Hotel Mayfair in Sioux City, Iowa, we present the following:

The remodeled Hotel Mayfair at Third and Nebraska streets in Sioux City, Iowa, opened its doors on Monday, September 11, 1939. It was a six-story structure with 150 rooms.

An article in the Sioux City Journal states: "The Hotel (formerly the Howard) has been completely remodeled at a reported cost of more than $200,000, plumbing and fixtures, wiring, elevators, stairways, building hardware, an air conditioning and ventilating unit all being new."

William Wachter, the owner and manager, said "the furnishing cost $55,000 and carpeting $15.000."

From the same Journal article: "One of the features of the new hotel of which management is particularly proud is the new ballroom and banquet hall, with a reported capacity of 600.

"Another is the air-conditioned coffee shop with a seating capacity of 88 and a thoroughly modern kitchen. A 44-foot neon sign (on the corner of the building) will be visible for a long distance."

In 1959, Wachter and his wife sold the hotel, and it continued to operate for another 15 years.

An article dated October 23, 1964, in the Sioux City Journal states: "Mayfair Hotel, 306 Nebraska St. will close its doors Nov. 1 after more than 70 years of operation …. originally known as the Howard Hotel, it was built in the early 1890s." Shortly after this, the hotel was demolished.

Tan body plate and creamer with a red highly detailed border design of a Greek key-inspired swag and ornaments treatment. The stacked words "Hotel" "Mayfair" in a distinctive script font are on the side of the creamer and center of the plate. The plate has the Syracuse Econo-Rim edge.

Sources:
Sioux City Journal – September 10, 1939 – opening of the remodeled hotel
Sioux City Journal – June 7, 2009 – Fifty Years Ago: sale of the hotel
Sioux City Journal – October 23, 1964 – closing of the hotel
Cardcow.com – postcard

Contributors:
Susan and Ed Phillips