Card File

Summary: Documentation, mostly illustrative, of Lenox's alphanumerically coded dinnerware patterns that were produced between roughly 1904 and 1949.

Card File: Arranged chronologically by alphanumeric pattern code.

Hand-drawn, color renditions of dinnerware pattern excerpts on 3 x 5 and 4 x 6 index cards. The patterns, ranging from 1904 until roughly 1947, are depicted mostly as dishes, but also include depictions of patterns on cups and vases. Also among the hand-drawn patterns are photographs of complete dishes affixed to 4 x 6 index cards. Beginning about 1947, the patterns are exclusively on 4 x 6 index cards.

The pattern records dating from 1947 and after exist primarily as photographs affixed to 4 x 6 index cards.

For additional pattern renderings, but in a larger size, see DESIGN DRAWINGS.

Annotated Photographs: Arranged in alphanumeric order by pattern code.

Black-and-white, 4 x 6, annotated photographs of completed china pieces depicting dinnerware patterns. Typical annotations indicate border and decal color and specifications, gold leaf placement, similar patterns, and included patterns (hybrids), as well as the shape number for the item depicted. Among the patterns in this sub-series are photographs of hand-drawn pattern cards and photographs of non-dinnerware items, such as vases.

Filed at the end of the sub-series are special service patterns, including those for the Spanish Legation and the United States Presidential Yacht, both designed in 1949.

For copies of the same images without annotations, consult the PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS/Product Images.

Pattern Control Notebook: Entries arranged in sections according to index at front of volume.

Notebook, including pattern photographs and price lists, of patterns in production as of 1947. The price lists included in the notebook, as well as some of the pattern images, are clippings from Lenox catalogs. Also included in the notebook are scattered letters, reports and data tables.

Among the documents in the notebook are a table of pattern codes and their corresponding year of first use, an "Analysis of Profitable and Unprofitable Items," a letter from the Lenox general sales manager to dealers explaining supply shortfalls, a table of price increases and a report entitled "The Attitude of Retail Jewelry Store Subscribers Toward Pattern Distribution of Dinnerware and Glassware."

Located at the end of the notebook are photographs and price listings for several giftware figurines.