Advertising Miniatures -Part 4

part 1  part 2  part 3

by Mary Dessoie

Butter Pats Elicit Happy Memories

Dedicated collector Damien says, "As an avid gatherer of miniatures, I adore all kinds of butter pats – from 19^th century Haviland to modern-day airline individual butters used in First or Business Classes. However, the advertising pats hold a special appeal for me. They remind me of happy days gone by when I went to the local diner with Pa. Each piece of china was attractively marked with the name of the establishment and Pa let me sip milk from the tiny individual creamers. The matching butter pats served two purposes: they were used for individual servings of butter and others were also placed under the creamers and thereby known as ‘drip trays.’ The waitresses would move about at lightning speed and sling the china along the counter top. However, I never witnessed a single breakage. Restaurant ware china is so sturdy."

Recommended Reading

Restaurant China, Volumes 1 and 2

by Barbara J. Conroy published by Collector Books

The Butter Pat Patter Association Seeks New Members

Mary Dessoie founded the Butter Pat Patter Association for beginner and advanced collectors of butter pats from the Victorian through Edwardian eras and 19^th-century to current-day transportation and restaurant ware pats. Butter pats are miniature plates that were introduced during the mid-1800's for individual servings of butter. A subscription to The Patter newsletter costs $22 and includes a mint-condition Royal Doulton British Airways First-Class Cabin china butter pat. The butter pat bears both the Royal Doulton and British Airways names. (What a great advertising pat!) Royal Doulton, located in the Staffordshire area of England, is known throughout the world as one of the leading manufacturers of fine china. British Airways is a prestigious international airline. In addition, subscribers will receive ten issues of The Patter.

Joining a club is the ideal way to learn more about your collection or gain knowledge to get you started on the exciting adventure of collecting butter pats. An added benefit of belonging to a club is the opportunity to make new friends across the country!

Sample copies of The Patter are available by sending $4.00 and a LSSAE (59 cents) to Mary Dessoie, 265 Eagle Bend Drive, Bigfork, MT 59911-6235. For those persons who would like to start their subscriptions immediately and receive their Royal Doulton British Airways pat by return mail, please send your check or money order, in the amount of $22, payable to Mary Dessoie. For on-line information about butter pats go to google and type in "Butter Pat Patter Association."