Posted ByGrey Cooper on May 17, 2002 at 12:56:46:
I have located a set of Haviland china which has given me a puzzle. Twelve full place settings, plus lots of serving pieces, all in very good shape. It is definitely "old" (i.e., turn of the century). The pattern looks just like Silver Anniversary, except for these two points:
1. The mark on the back is Theodore Haviland, Limoges, France. The name "Theodore" is underlined, which indicates approx. 1903 manufacture. The problem is, I can't find any record of Theodore Haviland making the Silver Anniversary pattern; all the references I find indicate that Silver Anniversary was made by Haviland and Co.
2. The china has the standard gold band around the edges, but there is no decorator's mark on the back of any of the pieces. I have been told by someone I "think" is an expert that all Silver Anniversary china with the gold trim has a decorator's mark on it, because it was all factory done.
That's my mystery -- how can Silver Anniversary pieces have a Theodore Haviland mark and no decorator's mark. Am I just misinformed? Anyone with information -- in addition to posting to this group, please e-mail me directly at piano1@pdq.net. Thank you!
Grey Cooper
Houston, TX