Western Pacific Railroad "Feather River" China Platter

This platter is approximately 9-1/2 inches long x 6-1/2 inches wide. It is in fabulous condition with almost no signs of use. There are a very few light surface marks (must tilt in bright light to see them). The pretty red feather decoration is sharp and clear. There are absolutely NO cracks, chips, flakes, crazing or repairs.

First produced in the late 1940s, this pattern was always made with only the top logo and was never railroad backmarked.

Our platter is correctly bottom marked with Shenango China manufacturer's markings stating that it is Inca Ware. "Inca Ware" is the name given by Shenango to the tan colored version of the medium- to heavy-gauge vitrified china for which it was so popular with commercial and restaurantware clients.

According to "Restaurant China Vol. 2" (Barbara Conroy) this marking dates the piece to between the late 1940s and 1954. It is very probably among the later dates as it appears to be the stamped version of the back mark. There is a blur in the words "New Castle" in the bottom marking (hardly worth mentioning but "it is there.")

"Feather River" china was used aboard the WPRR's name trains. The "California Zephyr" was the best known and most popular, but others included the "Feather River Express," the "Exposition Flyer," the "Royal Gorge," the "Zephyrette," and the "Scenic Limited."

This would be a beautiful piece to display in any better collection of railway passenger dining car china.

Item ID: 2581