Commissioned DAR china

[briantrainman]

While on my trip to deliver the mugs to the Memory Lane Railway Museum, I decided to look up my cousin in Deep Brook. We spent a pleasant evening in conversation and at some point I told him of the reason for my trip and my involvement with the DAR DPI. "Just a minute'" says he and leaves the room leaving me guessing as to the reason for his sudden departure. He returned several minutes later and placed several small bits of newspaper before me on the coffee table and without a word, settles back into his chair. Curious as to the significance of these yellowed bits of history, I read the following.(Click on photo to enlarge)

[briantrainman]

This was interesting for two reasons. (1) That a small general store would take the time and effort to commision such an item and have it manufactured in England and shipped back to Canada for sale with no guarantee that it would sell is a testament to one mans vision that apparently was spot on. (2) Ditmars is my cousins last name and he resides in a home in Deep Brook that has been in the family for generations. As I sat reading the newspaper clippings, Ed got up and left the room again. This time he returned with several pieces of chinaware that had been passed down in the family since the days of the old General Store. This consisted of two saucers, one tea cup and a small plate. The following pictures show the items and the manufacturers mark that is on the bottom of each item. As far as the chinaware mentioned in the article my cousin has no idea as to their whereabouts or who or where Mrs. Vroom is. ( Click on photos to enlarge. )

[downeastrailfan]

Interesting stuff!