Plate with Titanic Austria and initials E. H. 1912

By chadc75, 6 October, 2008
Description

We tried to get some information about this plate on the internet.  The only thing we found is that of a man named Jay Sherman, a homeless man, inherited a plate from his great Aunt Eva Husted.  The plate sold at $10,000.  We looked his plate and the markings on the back are identical to ours the only thing ours has the initials E. H. 1912 and his doesn't.  He received a letter of Authenticity from the makers Pickerhammer Manufacture in Czech Republic stating that his plate was made for the liner Titanic in 1911.  Could ours be the same?  Please help us!

Category
China
Medium
porcelain
Distinguishing marks
Titanic Austria and initials E. H. 1912
Condition
Good
Size and dimensions of this item
7" in diameter
Date Period
1912
History
has the pickerhammer marking and is thought to be during the Titanic era.
For Sale?
No
Photos

Lovejoy

16 years 7 months ago

I've never seen any plates from the Titanic that didn't have the crest of the White Star line emblazoned on it. Here's a site for you http://titanic.marconigraph.com/mgy_china.html

 

Lovejoy 

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chadc75

16 years 7 months ago

You have to understand that this is not a practical eating plate like the White Star Line.  I am familiar with the White Star Line!  This is a small hand painted decrative plate. I can not find any information on why a fine china maker such as Pirkenhammer would have a year before the Titanic sank change there crest and added the the word Titanic. Also, there is documentation from Pirkenhammer that they specifically made these plates for the British liner Titanic.  The only information I can find further is that no one has any idea or how many plates have surfaced with the Titanic seal.  There is no doubt that these were not part of the White Star dinner ware.  This type of plant would never be intended for that purpose.  Thank you!  any more info would be helpful. 
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jim986

16 years 7 months ago

I have two similar 7.5"plates from my parents' collection of porcelains.  Both are hand-painted red roses, signed by "A. SHAVER", but are not dated.  A third signed plate has yellow roses but does not have the "Titanic" designation, only "Austria" beneath the mark.  I guess the plot thickens! I found this site and your post while doing research for potential Ebay sales.
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chadc75

16 years 7 months ago

The two similar plates that you have that are, signed by A. Shaver do they have the "Titanic" designation on them?
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jim986

16 years 7 months ago

Yes, the two plates with red roses have the Titanic designation between the Perkenhammer mark and the word Austria.  My research on the Perkenhammer mark indicates this version was in use betweeen 1873 and 1918.
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jim986

16 years 7 months ago

More info, here is a comment I picked up from an Ebay seller (mno42):

"It is theorized that these plates were intended for Titanic, they would have been for souvnenirs only and available in the barbershop where souvenirs were sold. There are few of these plates that are finished in a quality that would have been worthy of the Titanic and the speculation is that these plates were never finished in time to make it onboard the ship. The other Pirkenhammer plates with the "Titanic" mark were unfinished blanks that were later sold to amateur artists to practice on as the sinking of the ship may have left Pirkenhammer with a large amount of these pieces with no market. The White Star Line certainly could not accept them after the disaster."

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