There is a fascination to hold a true antique, a vintage piece of history over 100 years old. This Mackinac Island Grand Hotel plate is the first true antique we’ve sold. It is a ceramic decorative plate about 7 inches in diameter, sold to a great home in Chicago.
The Piece
The front of this piece is a ornate scene showing the front of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island Michigan. The back has several marks. The Adams and the Jonroth marks are of particular interest and tell us a considerable amount about this piece.
Makers William Adam and Sons are potters out of Staffordshire UK, making wears since 1769, and what I can tell are still in operation. They have used many different marks on their pieces over the years and during the turn of the century there were at least 10 different marks being used by the company during that time. I managed to locate a very similar mark used by the company during the 1910s, 20s, and 30s. However a distinct difference is that the “Adams” is above the crown, whereas on this plate is it below the crown. So it seems likely the mark on this piece is perhaps an earlier version being used a bit earlier. Particularly when tied to the associated Jonroth mark. The Jonroth company, out of South Bend, Indiana, were importers of historical or souvenir designs pottery into the USA from 1890- 1909. In 1909 they sold their business to the Wheelock Company also in Indiana. They used the trade name: "Old English Staffordshire Ware" and were known to partner with the Adams factory in Staffordshire. There is a clear provenance that this mark was used by the Jonroth Company between 1890 and 1909, which dates this piece over 100 years old.
The Grand HotelThe Grand Hotel opened on Mackinac Island, Michigan, in 1887, with room rates of $3 - $5 per night and is still in operation. It boasted the longest porch in the world, with no two guest rooms being exactly alike, and quickly become a destination for the famous and not so famous, from around the world. This National Historic Landmark has hosting a Mark Twain lecture and two Hollywood films, just to give you a sense of the place.
One of the most fascinating aspect of this place is that Mackinac Island where the Grand Hotel sits, is an island without automobiles. Flagging down a horse and carriage or hopping on a bicycle are the favored methods to get around. The island sits out in Lake Huron, right off the tip of the fingers of the mitten that is, Michigan.
This item has been SOLD.
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