Blackhawk Hotel - Davenport -1921- Silver Oyster Server

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Here an a very rare 1921 - Art Deco original and vintage hotel silver 7” x 7 ½” wide by 5 3/8” tall combination Oyster Cracker and Condiment Stand for the Hotel Blackhawk that was most likely the one located in Davenport, Iowa. This is an actual piece of original Hotel Silver that saw service in the hotel and is not a souvenir. Historically, the Blackhawk Hotel in Davenport was opened in 1915. During this era, the Miller Hotel Co., or Miller Hotel Group owned by W.F. Miller, operated the hotel. The Miller Hotel Co. also operated the New Hotel Kimball in Davenport, as well as the Hotel Fort Des Moines, Iowa. The Miller Hotel Co. also provided free bus service to and from their hotels to the depots in Davenport and Des Moines. However it appears that by 1929, the Miller Hotel Co. was no longer in operation. Sometime after that, the Hotel’s in Davenport were operated by what was known as the Blackhawk Hotel Company. The hotel continued to operate through most of the 20th Century. However in 2006, the Hotel Blackhawk was closed after it sustained damage in a fire. However, it is scheduled to reopen in December of 2010 and under the operation of the Restoration Saint Louis Co., which plans on the hotel being a combination apartment and luxury hotel. During the era that this tray was made and used, persons arriving in Davenport to stay at the Blackhawk Hotel would have arrived by either the Chicago Burlington & Quincy (Burlington Route), Chicago Milwaukee & St. Paul (Milwaukee Road) or the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific (Rock Island) Railroads. The hotel was named in honor of Native American Indian Leader and Warrior of the Sauk American Indian Tribe, Black Hawk. Blackhawk led his people on the side of the Brithis during the War of 1812. After the War and in 1828, another Indian War broke out, which was referred to as the Black Hawk War. This lasted until Blackhawk was eventually captured in 1832 and subsequently toured many of Eastern American Cities. Black Hawk passed in 1838. This server would have been used in the dining rooms, restaurants, cafes, or for room service at the hotel. It would have also been used in connection with the Black Hawk Hotel china and glassware for table service. It is the heavyweight type Steamship, Restaurant, and Railroad silverplate. Located on the topside of lid of the horseradish pot holder is the hotel’s monogrammed “B” logo. I have seen some other pieces from the hotel that used only the “B” logo; rather, than the actual image of Blackhawk. The tray has a very ornate handle. There are two circular holders, which one was for holding a bottle of Tabasco sauce, and the other was made to have a glass insert that was used to hold horseradish sauce. The handle is very ornate, along with the three feet that are designed to look like pillars. It has an extensive amount of old pitting to the area of the tray where the horseradish glass insert would go. It has some light pitting to the well area. It has the usual light usage scratches, minor indentations, and some light bending in a few areas associated with usage. The hinged lid on the server also has a very old repair of the pin in the hinge, which it is loose and partially works itself out. The underside of the lid also has a fair amount of pitting as well. The outerboarder features the “Laurel” It was made by the International Silver Co., is silver soldered, has the 1921 datemark, has the catalog number of SLO 126, is marked “BLACKHAWK” on the bottom. Overall, this server looks very nice and would even be well suited for actual functional usage! A great addition to your Home Furnishing / Home Decorating, Hotel Tray, or Hotel Silver Collection. The actual item looks much better than what the digital images shows it as. Buyer to prepay item along with $8.99, which includes shipping, packing, and handling in the United States. Payment must be received within Ten (10) days from the end of the auction. No returns on any items. All sales are final and items are sold “as-is”. I cannot be resp... read more

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