Currier & Ives dinnerware mystery solved, sort of

While growing up, we had a set of dishes that were given to my mother by my great aunt.  I have those dishes now.

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Currier & Ives Dinner Plate, “The Old Grist Mill”

The pattern on them is a blue and white Currier & Ives pattern from the 1950’s, which would be about right.  Mom said that my great-aunt gave them to her when she replaced her dishes, so they were likely purchased in the 1950’s.  The set was given to Mom in the 1960’s.

What’s the mystery?

In the set, only the bowls are marked with the Currier & Ives mark.  The other pieces, although they match general theme of the bowls, do not have a mark.  The marked dishes say they were made by Royal, in the USA.

I’ve been searching for pieces to replace those we’ve broken over the years to build a full set.  I found the missing pieces on Ebay, some with the stamp and some without – all purporting to be Currier and Ives.  Replacement pieces, both with and without the mark, are being sold for about the some amount of money.  So, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.  Is the set of dishes I have really a full set or did my great-aunt buy pieces from different companies to make a set?

That brings me to the mystery.  Why were some pieces in this set marked and some were not?  Before I spend the money to replace pieces, I’d like to get a firm answer.  Is it worth replacing them with pieces that don’t have the mark?

I did a little research and found that the Royal China Company in Sebring, Ohio, made the dishes.  A printer developed the under glazed stamping machine in 1948, which is the process the mark on my bowls indicated was used.  Royal China is the company that manufactured dishes with the well-known “Blue Willow” pattern.  Unfortunately Royal China went out of business in 1986, so contacting them isn’t possible.

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Currier & Ives marking on the bowls

On the Royal China Club website, they had this to say about the markings: “Not all Royal China items have backstamps.  As a matter of fact, on most items it is more common to have no backstamp than to have one.  Some pieces never carried any backstamps, some always carried backstamps, but most are known to exist with and without backstamps.  Not having a backstamp does not mean the item is a “reproduction” or in any way not “original”.  Value of items without backstamps is therefore not any less.  Royal China produced their dinnerware over a span of 35 years.  Often the dinnerware was sold to a reseller (Sears, Marshall Burns, Montgomery Ward, etc.) and because it was being resold the items did not carry backstamps.”

That makes sense to me, but I’ve reached out to a Currier & Ives collectors organization in hopes they can confirm what the Royal China Club is saying.

During this search, I also found that each piece in the set has a themed scene on them.

  • Dinner Plates, “The Old Grist Mill”
  • Salad Plates, “Birthplace of Washington”
  • Bowls, “Early Winter”
  • Teacups, “Star of the Road”
  • Saucers, “Low Water in the Mississippi”

All of the other pieces have different scenes on them.

Conclusion?  This is what my “sleuthing” is telling me.  My great-aunt purchased a set of Currier & Ives dinnerware from a re-seller, such as Sears, in the 1950’s.  The set didn’t include soup bowls and she ordered those directly from a Royal China outlet. That sounds like something Aunt Marvel would have done.  It also explains why the color of the bowls is a little brighter than the rest of the set.

Bottom line?  All of the pieces are genuine Currier & Ives.  I’ll probably pick up a few of the missing pieces to complete the set.

This little investigation has been pretty interesting, if you’re into this kind of thing.

I have another set of china dinnerware boxed up in the garage.  I think they’re from the late 1800’s to early 1900’s.  I should probably dig those out and see what secrets I find there!

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26 thoughts on “Currier & Ives dinnerware mystery solved, sort of

    1. No, I’m not using them daily yet. Is there an issue with glazed dishes from that period or with Royal? I’m not sure how to test for lead in a dish either.

  1. Hello, I have a set that has been in my family since early 60’s. Everyone grew up pretty darn healthy. And I used them with my 3 children with no health issues. Good in dishwasher and microwave, no problems.
    Jenifer B,

  2. I too have inherited a huge collection of Currier & Ives Early Winter collection that was handed down to my mother from her great aunt. I have not counted the exact number of pieces however they do include a casserole dish, glasses, cups, bowls, plates, saucers as well as little bowls I assume is for condiments or desserts. This weekend there is an event called Replacements ltd yardsale in North Carolina. I am going and eager to see if they have any Currier & Ives blue and white pieces. I want to use them this Thanksgiving but scared to death that some will get broken.

  3. I collect these as well. Many were passed on to me from my family. I’m just curious where to find a photo or listing of what actually makes a complete set. Any ideas ? Thanks. Lisa

  4. Thank you for this information. Very interesting. I have 5 dinner plates and 5 cups if anyone is interested.

  5. When I was little, if I remember right, my mom had plates that were the green Charles Dickens plates that were Currier and Ives. I thought they had their logo on the back, but when I see those plates on Etsy, it has the “The Old Curiosity Shop” logo. Am I remembering incorrectly that the Currier and Ives logo was on the back? Thanks for any help!

    1. Lori, I have the blue and white Currier and Ives as well as the Green and white Old Curiosity Shop dishes. They are different patterns, but both made by Royal USA.
      They did make a green and a pink Currier and Ives pattern, but I’ve found that they aren’t as easy to find.
      You can look at the different Royal USA patterns on the Replacements, LTD website.

  6. I read your article on the Currier and Ives dishes. Too bad I hadn’t read it sooner. I was in Springfield, MO less than a month ago visiting family and I could have met up with you and given you a large incomplete set. Mine came from the elderly couple I grew up nextdoor to and includes a casserole dish and what looks like pie dishes. I’ve been trying to find them a good home.

  7. I also have a huge collection. Including ashtrays, tea/coffee cups, saucers, plates, bread plates, bowls, soup bowls, cream and sugar holders, double side gravy bowl and salt and pepper shakers. Wish I could add a picture.

  8. I have a good collection of these dishes, and I just love them! Someone once told me they were promo giveaways at a grocery chain like A & P or something in the 50’s. I have not found anything to corroborate that story. Thanks for your sleuthing here on these pretty dishes.

    1. Yes they were a promotional type dish at an A&P in the Deep South of SC. I Have my great grandmother’s dishes. They released a new item every week. I have a set of 8 plates, small bowls, large bowls, coffee cups and saucers, creamer and sugar bowl with lid and a serving platter. Along with salt and pepper shakers.
      I have bought a teapot, butter dish, casserole dish with lid and I’m looking for the tall and short glasses to complete the entire set to give my granddaughter as a wedding gift. I’m not sure if I still missing anything but if anyone has something I haven’t mentioned please let me know. Thank you, Bevy

  9. I just found this little tid-bit online…Of all grocery-store dinnerware ever produced, Royal China Company’s Currier and Ives is, by far, the most prolific. The dishes were produced from late 1949 until 1986 when the company closed. They were produced in the most popular color — blue and white — as well as rose, green, black and brown. There are a multitude of patterns and all are based on famous Currier and Ives prints from a bygone era.

    More than 20 different scenes grace Currier and Ives dinnerware. To name a few, The Old Grist Mill, Washington’s Birthplace, The Rocky Mountains, Winter in the Country, Sleigh Ride, The Old Inn, The Old Farm Gate, On the Mississippi, Maple Sugaring and many, many more.

  10. I have a 4 place set from my grandma.
    My aunt got them from grocery store for her you got a piece a week or something like that. As I was told a couple decades ago. The bottom on mine just has USA
    stamped on the bottom. I think from 60’s

  11. Hi
    I have a question, I have a brown currier and ives pie plate with a horse and buggy and a River on the side with riverboats on it.

    Can you tell me more about it??
    What is its value??

    Thanks
    Fred

  12. This was helpful I just found a bug box from my grandmother’s house. Some marked some not. I know my dad said he had them growing up so they are very old as he would be 82.

  13. Thank you. I have my grandma’s set. She had two different styles of china that she switched out on Holidays. Mom called the Currier set grocery store dishes. Some marked some not. Grandma even has the matching ashtrays even though she didn’t smoke. I have the set stored right now. I will eventually sell them as I’m clearing out my garage but I will always cherish my memories of our family holidays around the table.

  14. I have a beautiful set from my mother. A few more years and they will be 100 year old American China. I also have a Green set.

  15. I have a set of these dishes one set has Jeannette collection on back and I have a full set that only says royal china old grist mill only does not say Jeanette on those which are older and are the Jeanette ones not as old and valuable. I must have over 100 pieces that are only stamped courier and Ives royal china

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