Manufacturers: Bauscher China, Black Knight, and Scammell China
User: Savoy-Plaza Hotel – New York, New York
Distributor for Bauscher China: Arthur Schiller
Distributor for Scammell China: Nathan Straus & Sons
Date of examples: 1927
Notes: On Thursday, September 29, 1927, the 33-story 1,000-room Savoy Plaza Hotel opened. With its location on the corner of 5th Avenue and 59th Street in New York City, the higher priced rooms had a view across Central Park. The Savoy-Plaza contained both a 400-seat and a 200-seat dining room, as well as a 275-seat ballroom. It was originally run by the Plaza Operating Company, the same company that operated the Plaza, across the street. In 1957, it became a Hilton Hotel, and around June 1964, a Western International Hotel. The Savoy-Plaza closed June 30, 1965, and was torn down and replaced by the General Motors Building.
The Savoy-Plaza had several china services when it opened. At least three china companies made a service for the Savoy-Plaza that is decorated with a band of cobalt blue background, with laurel leaves and stylized flowers in gold, outlined in red. A coin gold line is around the rim, and some pieces have a coin gold pin line. Scammell Lamberton items were supplied by Nathan Straus & Sons. These are undated, but may have been part of the original china order for the hotel. The Bauscher China service was supplied by Arthur Schiller, and is dated "1930." The Black Knight service is dated "1935" but the distributor is not shown.
For additional info:
Savoy-Plaza Hotel by Shenango China
Savoy-Plaza Hotel 2 by Scammell China
Savoy-Plaza Hotel 4 by Scammell China
Savoy-Plaza Hotel 5 by Scammell China
Contributor:
Author and photos: Larry Paul