Shenango China Plate Value Guide

This Shenango China plate is a quintessential example of mid-century American restaurant ware, manufactured in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Highly collectible for its industrial durability and vitrified finish, this specific piece features the intriguing S-V China P.F.C. mark, representing the company's legacy before its acquisition by Anchor Hocking.

What Is Shenango China Plate Worth?

The typical price range for Shenango China Plate is $15 - $25 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the vitrified surface, specifically the presence of utensil marks or 'flea bites' on the rim.
• Clarity and completeness of the P.F.C. backstamp, which is essential for provenance and dating.
• Rarity of the specific client mark, as pieces produced for famous hotels or railroads often command higher prices.
• Overall structural integrity, including the absence of chips or hairline fractures common in heavy-use restaurant ware.

How to Identify Shenango China Plate?

• Check the underside for the 'Shenango China' backstamp alongside the 'New Castle, PA' location mark.
• Look for the specific 'S-V China P.F.C.' designation which identifies this particular commercial production line.
• Verify the material is a heavy, vitrified body designed to withstand commercial dishwasher and high-volume use.
• Examine the glaze for a consistent, high-gloss finish characteristic of Shenango's mid-20th-century output.

History of Shenango China Plate

Shenango China, established in New Castle, Pennsylvania in 1901, was a prominent American manufacturer of hotel and restaurant ware. Their products were renowned for their strength and durability, designed to withstand the rigors of commercial use. The mark S-V China P.F.C. indicates production for a specific client or a particular line, though the exact meaning of P.F.C. is not immediately clear without further historical context for this specific mark variation. Shenango China was eventually acquired by Anchor Hocking in the late 1960s, and its operations ceased in 1991, making its earlier pieces sought after by collectors of American commercial pottery.