Manufacturer: Syracuse China
Pattern: St. Elmo
Date of examples: circa 1920s

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Notes: This stock pattern was part of the Syracuse China 23000 Series, available in 14 colors through at least April 1948.

St. Elmo was a popular pattern that was used by many different establishments, but unless the pattern was backstamped or topmarked for a particular customer, it is impossible to tell that it was used there.

An interesting case in point would be the Horn & Hardart automats. So far a topmarked version has not been found, but its use has been documented there, especially recently (2021) with the release of a documentary film about Horn & Hardart produced by Lisa Hurwitz. Throughout the film one can see St. Elmo in use, as well as other better documented patterns.

However, the St. Elmo pattern was topmarked on pieces used by other venues, including the U-Eat-A-Lunch restaurant and the Pines Hotel (see links below).

The St. Elmo pattern US Patent D43976 was issued on May 6, 1913 to inventor John T. Wigley, assignor to the Onondaga Pottery Company.

White body featuring a dark green leaf and medallion swag design beneath ornate double-handled urns. It is seen with both a typical Syracuse backstamp or the charming one from 1921, shown above, that's a miniature version of the pattern itself.

For related info:
Horn & Hardart 3 by Syracuse China
U-Eat-A-Lunch by Syracuse China
Pines Hotel by Syracuse China
The Automat Horn & Hardart Movie (working title prior to release)

Contributors:
Scott Schwochow: creamer photo
Patti Beckelhimer Delano: plate, backstamp photos
Debbie Ensminger Venable: mustard pot