Our Club History

The Currier & Ives Dinnerware Collectors Club, established in August of 1996, serves as a unifying force for passionate collectors of Royal China. Its inaugural convention took place at the Pepper Mill Restaurant in Morton, IL, bringing enthusiasts together in celebration of their shared love for these exquisite dinnerware pieces.

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At its core, the club's primary objective is to collect and preserve the rich history and products manufactured by Royal China, a prominent company based in Sebring, Ohio. Through their dedicated efforts, members aim to honor the legacy of this once-thriving company that contributed significantly to the world of dinnerware.

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The club boasts a roster of dedicated members, some of whom have garnered attention through articles and publications that chronicle their passion for Currier & Ives/Royal China collecting. Their commitment to sharing knowledge and insights has unveiled the captivating history of this once-prosperous company. Exploring the various quirks, differences, and variations in Royal China patterns adds an intriguing layer of mystery and fascination to the company's allure.

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Royal China Company, operating from 1934 to 1986, produced an extensive range of dinnerware patterns, surpassing 1400 in number. Among these, the blue and white Currier & Ives pattern emerged as a beloved favorite. Notable patterns such as Memory Lane, Colonial Homestead, Willow Ware, The Old Curiosity Shop, Fair Oaks, and Bucks County are also recognizable to collectors.

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The company crafted the Currier & Ives dinnerware in six colors—blue, pink, green, brown, multi-color, and black (which is actually intended to be gray). Additionally, they offered a wide array of serving pieces, advertising materials, and decorative items to complement their dinnerware line. Royal China distributed its products through retail department stores, catalog mail-order houses, A&P, and various supermarket chains. It's possible that you have encountered and used a piece or two of Royal China dinnerware in your life without fully recognizing its origin.

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The renowned artists Nathaniel Currier and James Merritt Ives, active during the late 1800s, achieved notable success as American printmakers. They specialized in lithograph prints, reproducing paintings in a quick and cost-effective manner. The diverse range of their lithographs captured every facet of American life, including cityscapes, rural scenes, historical events, ships, yachts, rivers, railroads, politics, comedy, and the seasons. It was this embodiment of Americana that made the lithographs a perfect fit for dinnerware. Recognizing their promotional potential, Currier & Ives leveraged lithographs as one of the most effective marketing tools of the time, forging a harmonious connection between these prints and dishware.

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The marriage of Currier & Ives lithographs and dinnerware thus encapsulates a captivating synergy, embodying the spirit of American heritage and providing a testament to the artistic and marketing prowess of both Nathaniel Currier and James Merritt Ives.