Reed & Barton S P Railroad Tray

Help with age Use and possible value would be asking a lot.
Tray is 12" x 8 1/2" some dings. Not sure if I should clean this one. Any thoughts?

Mikey

 

I don't see anything resembling a date mark, do you?

Assuming no, it has to be either before 1928 or after 1957. Given "silver soldered" and the rather "early American" styling, I would guess the latter.

 

Thanks Susan. i was guessing at 20's or 30's because of some other items with the same marks that were being sold. too large to be a tip tray and too small for a serving tray. maybe for snacks or drinks? also the deeper well at almost 3/4"?

 

A style-based guess isn't always the best, especially with hotelware or restaurantware which has almost always been pretty "traditional." The 30's are completely out because of the lack of a date mark, of course.

If this was used in the dining car, it could have been used to transport things like salads or desserts, coffee or tea? 2 diners per table, usually, or 4 at the most, I'd think.

 

So you are saying before 1928?
S P lines first started using that mark in 1916

 

It could be before, yes, but how long did they have passenger service?

 

Amtrak took over in May 1971. So that's not a conclusive issue. I couldn't find any other logo for the passenger service than the one on your tray/platter, it could go either way.

 

I found a R&B SP item,same mark as yours and the seller has it dated 1937. Don't know where he got the info.? I am still looking.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1937-Southe...046?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f3e87066e

 

http://www.railroadiana.org/holloware/pgHolloware.php

Holloware items were always marked for the railroads that bought them. Side markings might consist of logos or railroad names; bottom markings might consist of either the name or initials of the railroad and the manufacturer. Dating such pieces can be accomplished in various ways, depending on the manufacturer.

Bottom marks from Reed & Barton and Gorham included tiny ships and swords representing certain years, and International used the last two digits of the year in a box. Photos in various railroad books might show holloware in use, thereby helping to establish a date. The best reference book on railroad holloware with excellent photos and descriptions was written by Everett Maffett. It has been published in original and revised versions and is a valuable addition to the collector's library.

 

"Not sure if I should clean this one. Any thoughts?"

Yes clean it so you can see any dings,deep scratches,etc. Plus it will look nicer.

 

Ditto. Now Mikey, you know the answer to that!

 

In the back of my mind i knew the answer to that. But thought that maybe on some rare occasion i would not have to lol.

 

I did find another logo used by Southern Pacific on and with their Daylight Locomotives from 1937 to around 1958. I think the Daylight locomotives were introduced in 1937???

http://www.railfonts.com/Reference/daylight-readme.pdf
https://namedropping.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/southernpacific1.jpg

That logo was called "winged sun." It was a red ball for the California sun with a wing attached symbolizing fleetness. It was used on their silverware. The following site has pics of some of their silverware with the "winged sun" logo. This doesn't help in dating this tray, but thought I'd throw it into the mix. The info Sue/baker gave is probably the best you can get.

Scroll a good 3/4ths of the way down the page to Southern Pacific and look at the patterns Daylight, Broadway, Modern, Socialite, etc... I didn't see a tray like this one.
http://www.rrcommissary.com/RRsilverware.html

--- Susan

 

Thank you again Susan. I found my tray on that site. half way down under New York. called a meat platter.
Theirs has a date mark for 1928. so this could most likely be 1927?

 

Very interesting info, Susan!

Well, I've finally reached the conclusion that this has to be before 1928 and not after 1957. The item number, the wear on the medallion, using the S P Lines notation instead of something specific to a particular train. It all went into the mix.

 

Glad you found it, Mikey!

 

Well I did have some help.