Peabody Hotel - Memphis - 1890's - Hotel Silver Shaker Set - From the 1st Hotel For Sale

Offered is a very rare 1890's to early 1900's era silver plate salt, pepper, and paprika shaker frame made for the first and original Peabody Hotel located in Memphis, Tennessee, with matching new old stock cut glass shakers.This frame is from the original Peabody Hotel that was opened in 1869 at Maine and Monroe Street; not the current and second Peabody Hotel that was built in 1925 a block away from the original location.

Anything from the original Peabody Hotel in the area of dining ware items is very scarce and rarely seen.

This is a fully functional and ready to use set as well. Meaning, the actual rare silver plate frame is the original one from the 1890's. However, I have included three unused old original hotel glass and metal hotel - restaurant type shakers (all in mint condition) that fit and look exactly like the originals that were long gone from this set when I had the opportunity to obtain it.

These are authentic vintage "new old stock" shakers that are the cut glass style with a more modern chrome plate cap that never tarnishes. With this set having these new - clean shakers, one could not only enjoy this rarity for this most rare historical sense, but also, use it daily on your kitchen table, in the dining room, or even for entertaining. It's ready to go; all you have to do is fill it with salt, pepper, and paprika (or whatever else you would what to use).

Over the years, I heard that when the new hotel opened in 1925, most of the old dining ware, including the silver plate and china, was discarded, dumped, or given away to charity. This was in anticipation to the hotel ordering all new hotel china, hotel silver, and even new hotel glassware for the grand opening of the new hotel. Everything about the new hotel was then "new"; including the dining ware.

If you collect historic Memphis, Peabody Hotel, or rare restaurant ware - hotel silver items, you might want to consider this set for your collection.

Historically, the original Peabody Hotel was opened in 1869 by Colonel Robert C. Brinkley downtown Memphis at the corner of Main Street and Monroe Street. The original hotel had 75 room, which including private baths (almost unheard of at the time for hotels during the 1860's). The hotel had a grand ballroom for social events, speakers, private parties, and dances, a well appointed saloon, a parlor, several social rooms, and a very attractive lobby that greeted guest when they first walked in. The name of the hotel was to be name the Brinkley Hotel, but after learning that his good dear friend, railroad financier and philanthropist George Peabody had unexpectly died, he immediately changed the name to the Peabody Hotel shortly before its opening.

Shortly after opening the hotel, Colonel Brinkley gifted the Peabody to his daughter, Anna Overton Brinkley and her husband Robert B. Snowden, as a gift when they became married. The Snowden's continued operating the hotel in the most luxurious fashion and it became one of the most popular upscale leading hotels of the South.

The hotel also became a mecca for celebrities, famous musicians, actors, persons of wealth and important politicians from across the United States when they were in Memphis. The hotel was also important to those traveling by train across the South or to the South and wanted fine hotel accommodations while they were making their travels. Some of the hotels most notable guest included United States Presidents William McKinely and Andrew Johnson. Even former Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Nathan Forrest stayed at the hotel. While working as president of a large Memphis insurance company, the former President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, lived at the hotel in 1870.

By the 1890's and into the early 1900's, at the time that is caster set was made and used, the Peabody also had a reputation of having some of the finest dining in the entire city of Memphis. The hotel's well trained professional culinary staff was some of the best. This caster set would have been used in the hotel's dining room, saloon or parlor, or even for private room service. It would have been used in connection with the Peabody Hotel china and glassware for table service. It is also the heavyweight type steamship, restaurant, and railroad silver plate.

During the time that this caster set was made and used, most people arriving in Memphis to stay at the Peabody would have primarily arrived by the Louisville & Nashville, Nashville Chattanooga & St. Louis, Iron Mountain, Southern, or the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Route / Illinois Central Railroads. Additionally, passenger’s didn’t have far to go to the Peabody, as it was located very close to the Memphis Union Station.

Throughout the 19th and into the 20th Century the hotel continued to be patronized heavy and was at time too small. Sometime circa 1905 to 1908, a new 200 room addition was built on the side of the original hotel, which greatly increased capacity. This new addition provided very beneficial to what the hotel could provide to guests. But, as the teens gave way to the "Roaring Twenties" and the hotel's original 1869 structure was showing its age, the decision was made to open an even larger and then new and modern hotel just one block away. In 1923, the original Peabody Hotel closed its doors and the building was demolished. Built on the location of the former hotel was the then new Lowenstein's Department Store.

But all was not lost, as the owners had grand plans for the Hotel Peabody. A brand new 625 room hotel was opened by the Midwest Hotel Companies, which also owned the Gayoso Hotel and the Chisca Hotel that were located in Memphis as well. The new Peabody located a block away on Union Avenue and built on the site of the original Fransioli Hotel. The Peabody was advertised as the finest hotel in the South and still carries that title today!

Since 1940, the hotel became famous for it’s “Peabody Ducks”, which are led through the hotel often and down the elevator to swim in the hotel’s opulent fountains in the lobby area. This amazing tradition still continues today. Additionally, the hotel’s guest register has included many famous persons, important politicians, and high profile celebrities.

This set was made by the Rogers Bros. Silver Co. in Meriden, Connecticut. It has their Phoenix backstamp, is silver soldered, has the catalog number of 0129, and reads in very fancy large cursive script lettering on the bottom "Peabody Hotel".

The silver plate frame does have some silver plate wear, some pitting, and the handle has a slight bend (from years of usage) to it. But overall, it is in wonderful condition; especially, for being over 130+ years old. It has a beautiful outer board mount called "Line and Leaf" that greatly enhances how amazing it looks.

Now the original glass casters were never with this set, and most likely, were long gone years and years ago. Instead of it not having any shakers, I have included three original old casters (never used and in excellent condition) that were unused and are clean and ready to be used functionally without any pitting, corrosion, or breakage, as is all too common with these shakers; especially, with the corrosive nature of salt on metal and silver. So, one can not only enjoy this set for the wonderful aesthetics that it provides, but you can also functionally use it.

This piece is being offered in the original condition in which I was fortunate to have obtained it in. I will leave it up to you if you want to clean it or not. Some collectors prefer the original patina and some like to clean the items themselves with their own method. Either way, the piece look great.

An amazing addition your historic Memphis, home decorating / interior design, vintage kitchen ware, or rare restaurantware - hotel silver collection.

Please note, the photograph of the original hotel is shown for historic reference purposes only and is not included with this listing.

Buyer to pay a standard shipping fee., which I will determine how it will be shipped. No returns on any items.

Items can take up to three (3) days to ship (due to my schedule working here at the animal rescue).

Please ask any questions before committing to purchase.

Thank you for taking the time to view my listings.