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Guide to Date Codes and Backstamps for Syracuse China
Guide to Date Codes and Backstamps for Syracuse China
by: Luanne Reilly Oda aka nanalulu
http://www.nanaluluslinensandhandkerchiefs.com
Syracuse China formerly known as Onondaga Pottery was established in 1871. Although they are best known for their restaurantware, hotel china & railroad china, they also produced dinnerware & fine china. In both buying & selling I have seen that there is some confusion about their date codes & backstamps. I hope this brief guide will help you out.
Datecodes
From May 1895 until September of 1903 simple incised numbers were used in sequential order from 1-99 with the #99 being used in July, August & September of 1903.
From October 1903 to December 1911 numbers 1-99 were used again in sequence but are enclosed within a circle. These again are incised.
From January 1912 to June 1919 the numbers 1-90 were used again, this time enclosed within a diamond shape. Again these are incised numbers not printed or stamped numbers.
July 1919 to Dec 1919 # 1-9 incised within a diamond.
Beginning in 1920 the codes were stamped rather than incised. From 1920-1945 Each year is represented by a sequential letter A-Z
Example letter A would indicate 1920, letter P 1935. Along with the letter would be a number 1-12 which would indicate the monthe the china was made. A12 would indicate December of 1920, so on & so on.
Beginning in 1946 the letters doubled
Example 1946 would be AA, March of 1956 would be 3KK. January of 1960 was OO, but beginning in February of 1960 the system changed yet again.
The number for the year was now corresponding to the companies years in exsistence. 1960 was the companies 89th year, so beginning in February of 1960 the date code would be 89, for 1961 #90 & so on. They did not have a corresponding letter for the month until 1962. January would then be letter A through December which was letter L. Example would be 98 E would indicate production in May of 1969.
In 1976 they went on to simplify again by taking off the 10 for the one hundred. 1976 would be 5A-5L.
In 1986 this was simplified even further, having only A-D signifying which quarter china was produced rather than which month. Example 15A would be the first quarter of 1986, 23C would be 3rd quarter of 1994.
You can see where it can be a bit confusing. I hope this helps you out.
Backstamps
There were numerous backstamps used as well.
O.P.Co with a broken line beneath, then the word CHINA was used from 1885-1890
with a solid line between was 1890-1895.
O.P. Co stood for Onondaga Pottery Co.
Syracuse China OP.Co surrounding a hemisphere logo was used 1895-1897
O.P.CO. SYRACUSE CHINA 1897-1926
O.PCO. SYRAUSE –CHINA– with date codes 1920-1946
OLD IVORY backstamps were used 1927-1960
Adobe ware 1932-1972
Econo Rim 1933-1967
Numerous versions of Syracuse China Made in America or USA since then
