Definitions

Fake Commercial China Pattern -
A fictitious pattern that was NEVER used in a foodservice establishment or on a transportation line. Most seem to be a deliberate attempt to deceive unaware collectors. Some were initially fairly simple stock patterns (lined, banded, gold or colored border, or the like) to which overglaze decals have been added.

Unauthorized Reproduction (thus illegal... i.e., fraud) Commercial China Pattern -
A pattern that was used in a dining establishment or by a transportation line and is reproduced without the permission of the owner(s) of the pattern. Naturally these are not marked reproduction on the back. However, a piece can be distinguished from the original if it is dated or date coded after the foodservice concern discontinued operations. It is highly unlikely that any reputable china manufacturer would ever risk breaking the law in this fashion, thus one can assume it is the work of individuals.

Authorized and/or Legal Reproduction Commercial China Pattern -
A pattern that was used in a foodservice establishment or on a transportation line and is reproduced either with the permission of the owner(s) of the pattern or the copyrights and patents have been thoroughly searched for possible infringement and legal advice obtained. These are often backstamped "reproduction" or something that makes it obvious that the pattern is not original, such as a recent date or date code.

Commemorative Commercial China Pattern -
A pattern that was NEVER used in a foodservice establishment or on a transportation line and is produced to commemorate an event, particularly an anniversary. It is generally marked as such.

WARNING!

It is not possible to serve meals in a foodservice establishment on overglaze decaled china and expect it to remain in good condition. Utensils almost immediately scratch the decoration and harsh abrasive detergent wears the decal off bit by bit. Be extremely leery of any restaurant or transportation china with overglaze decoration in the well (center) of a plate, platter, bowl, or the like. Gold, platinum, and very bright colored decals which must be fired overglaze (necessary because metallics and bright colors burn out if fired to the extremely high underglaze decal firing temperatures), are sometimes legitimately applied to wide or medium rims, since rims are not affected by dining utensils. Buffalo China and perhaps other manufacturers currently decorate in that fashion. Examples of such patterns: Applebees' soup plates decorated in bright red apples, as well as a recent Disney restaurant china pattern (Mickey Mouse in black, bright red, and bright yellow).

There are three situations in which overglaze decals might be found in the center of a plate, platter, bowl or the like:

1. On service plates which are removed before the meal is served or occasionally used as an underplate below an appetizer, soup, or salad plate.

2. Against the advice of the manufacturer, a foodservice establishment insists on that type of decoration, though it's highly unlikely.

3. The overglaze decals are applied by a decorator, rather than the original commercial china manufacturer. In some cases, decorators may be less concerned about decal wear and lead safety. Check to see if there is a second backstamp. If there is a second mark and it is overglaze, the decal was applied by a decorator. 

What We Can Do

1. Acquire the ability to recognize and be on the lookout for overglaze decals in the center of a plate, platter, bowl or the like, as well as overglaze backstamps.

2. Become familiar with foodservice establishment and transportation company dates of operation, then check usage period of manufacture's backstamps and interpret date code (if any) to see if piece was produced after foodservice establishment or transportation company operations ceased.

3. The list of railroad pattern fakes and reproductions is very long. Railroad china references should be studied. Also consult experts at railroad shows.
   

Please note: most of the preceding information is available in Restaurant China - Volume 1 or Volume 2. However, detailed information on fake and reproduced commercial china patterns is beyond the scope of either book.

Known Fake Patterns

Bob's Big Boy full color overglaze decal centered on TEPCO china. Big Boy is holding a bitten hamburger in his left hand. Wording includes "Home of the Big Boy Hamburgers" and "Bob's Big Boy."

Pfaltzgraff airline backstamped casseroles (airline name is generally recessed: Pfaltzgraff decorated airline casserole overruns (entree dishes with airline name on the bottom) in the center with overglaze decals (often child-like theme). After the decoration was applied these were never used or meant to be used by an airline....... they were sold at a Pfaltzgraff outlets for 25 cents each, I'm told. Often dealers, even when informed of the situation, try to sell these for $35.00 to 40.00. BUYER BEWARE!

Air Canada "Gold Scallops" pattern shown in Restaurant China - Volume 1 on page 50, has been offered on eBay with a deep yellow rose overglaze decal in the center. The rose decal was applied and fired on an authentic Air Canada backstamped plate, though neither by the manufacturer nor for Air Canada.

Many railroad patterns, with overglaze logo decals, though lines or bands may be underglaze as shown in the photograph below. Generally there is no manufacturer mark on the bottom of these fakes. In addition creamers, egg cups, and mustards decorated in this fashion are common. Also after-dinner cups and saucers and teapots.

The cobalt blue underglaze decorated Denver and Rio Grande RR pattern which is currently (2001) very common on eBay. (Also see Denver and Rio Grande RR china decorated in orange and black under "authorized reproduction patterns" below.)

Three piece set including butter pat, creamer and mustard with crackled glaze: known sets include Santa Fe, Missouri Pacific Line, New York Central System,  Pennsylvania RR (black P superimposed on RR, as well as 1846-1946 full color commemorative) and others. Also non-railroad sets, such as Chicken in the Rough (backstamped with a Syracuse mark and Z.LL date code [Syracuse has no such date code], Coon Chicken, Sambo's in full color, and more. Tip-offs are: generally no manufacturer's mark (though some manufacturers [e.g., Syracuse] frequently did not backstamp creamers and after dinner cups, due to small area on base), so primarily overglaze decals and crazed glaze (which sellers say indicates age, but the overglaze decal belies that statement). BUYER BEWARE!.

Known Unauthorized Reproduction Patterns

Coon Chicken china with a Shenango-Anchor Hocking backstamp (this mark was stamped on ware from 1979 until 1987) is an unauthorized (thus illegal) reproduction. Proof lies in Coon Chicken's years of operation: until the late 1950s (some say 1957 and others say early 1960s). There are also variations in graphic details. I understand the fakes have a white body, rather than the original tan. However, I wouldn't rely on color, but would certainly check the backstamp on all china decorated with this pattern. Also watch for OPCO backstamps with a P-3 date code.

Known Legal Reproduction Patterns

Copyrights were thoroughly searched before the Till Goodan Western patterns were reproduced and Mr. Goodan's name was removed from the decal. In addition the pieces are made for and backstamped True West and the year 1991, rather Wallace and an old date code. All this makes the pieces clearly a second generation and yet collectible to those who find reproductions acceptable if obvious (the quality is no doubt higher than the originals). Many people are using these place settings today and they will quite likely become very collectible, just as the new Fiesta. (If you believe the new Fiesta is not collectible, check out some of the eBay listings.)

Known Authorized Reproduction Patterns

Atchison, Topeka & the Santa Fe Railroad's "Membreno" pattern, which is backstamped "reproduction".

Baltimore & Ohio RR's "Centenary" pattern with many backstamp variations. The pattern backstamps should be studied before making a large investment so you know what you are buying.

Denver and Rio Grande RR china as originally produced (until 1927) with orange and black decoration. An authorized reproduction of this pattern was manufactured in 1987 and 1988 and is backstamped "reproduction," as well as the year of manufacture.

Roycroft china has been reproduced in three versions ("Collector's Look" with single R, "Renaissance" with double R, and "Centennial" with single R) by Buffalo China for Roycroft. Click here to see photos and details at the Roycroft web site. Watch for Buffalo China marks as early as 1976, as well as current Buffalo backstamps.

Known Commemorative Patterns

Cup and 9-3/4" plate topmarked "Burlington Route 'Way of the Zephyrs' " produced by Sterling China in 1984 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Pioneer Zephyr. Backstamped Sterling China with a 1984 date code. Only 288 of each items was produced. Since this is not railroad dining china, it falls into the second category of railroad related china: the first category was actually used at railroad owner/operated facilities and the second is commemorative and or gift shop items.

Questionable pattern.... initially used in private car fleet ....later produced for gift shop

Though Union Pacific "Winged Streamliner" pattern Boston knob cover teapots have Sterling 1970s date codes, they are not reproductions. The railroad ordered them in two sizes for their private car fleet through distributors in the 1970s and later for UP headquarters (see Restaurant China, Volume 1, page 232 for samples of pattern). In 1997 the Steam Program of Cheyenne, WY, ordered these teapots for the gift shop and as such the latter is a reproduction. These were made by Sterling and Hall.  Hall produced 144 each of their #22 (16 oz) and #23 (24 oz.).

The "Glory of the West" exclusive
railroad pattern is no longer exclusive

Great Northern "Glory of the West" pattern (GN-6) ordered by the RR from Onondaga Pottery (which became Syracuse China in 1966), was recently reproduced by Syracuse China Company. Samples, found and reported in August of 2000, are backstamped "Reproduction for Izaak Walton Inn, Essex, Montana, Originally Made for Great Northern Railway Glory of the West, Onondaga Pottery" with 25-A date code (first quarter of 1996).