This side dish from the New York Central is in the long-loved DeWitt Clinton pattern, which was used in onboard dining cars from the mid-1920s until 1950. Made by Syracuse China, it is correctly bottom marked. The addition of the "Design Patented" mark is a plus! The rectangular shape with a scalloped rim was originally made to serve a side dish of vegetables to an individual diner, but it could have been used for whatever the kitchen crew needed.

The tiny engine "cameo" decoration is sharp and clear, depicting the "DeWitt Clinton," the first working steam locomotive built for service in New York state, named in honor of New York's sixth governor.

CONDITION: If you need one of these for your collection -- HERE IT IS, very near mint ! The best examples we have had of DeWitt Clinton for very a long time. This dish is great with only a couple of lightest surface marks, strong glaze and beautifully applied decoration with no glaze runs.

This dish was bottom marked NEW YORK CENTRAL LINES, which dates it to before 1935. The OPCO/Syracuse I-9 date code translates to September 1928.

COLLECTOR NOTES: (1) "DeWitt Clinton" railroad china has been reproduced, and the reproductions were made by Syracuse China. The large plates are clearly marked as reproductions, but smaller pieces are not! Thankfully it is easy to identify them: at the side locomotive decoration will say 1831-1981 below the locomotive, not 1831 , and the Syracuse China bottom marking is a much newer style. (2) Also, a second "DeWitt Clinton" pattern was made by Syracuse China for the DeWitt Clinton Hotel in Albany, New York. This hotel version has a multi-color decoration that includes an exotic bird and fantasy-shape florals.