Hotel Robinson - San Diego - 1903 Era - Rare Hotel China Ice Cream Shell For Sale

Hotel Robinson - San Diego, California - 1903 Era - Very Rare - Ornate Hotel China Ice Cream Shell - Most Likely from the Original Order of China for the Hotel's 1903 Opening and Renaming to Robinson from the Original Florence Hotel

There has been some confusion in the past years of this pattern coming from the nearby Julian, California, Hotel Robinson, which is not the case. This pattern is confirmed to have come from the larger Hotel Robinson atop Banker Hill in downtown San Diego, and too, is most likely part of the original order of china for the hotel's 1903 opening.

This pattern is also very scarce and does not surface that much, as the Hotel Robinson only operated under that name for about ten years before reverting back to the Florence Hotel name.

If you collect historic San Diego antiques, high-end restaurant ware, or vintage ice cream type serving items, you might want to consider this rarity for your collection.

Historically, Charles W. Robinson arrived in California sometime circa 1886 and was involved in the construction, and later management, of the famous Hotel del Coronado. His tenure at the Del Coronado lasted until 1903. It was in that year, that he purchased the famous (but much smaller than the Del C.) Florence Hotel. Under his ownership, renovations were conducted and the Florence was renamed the Hotel Robinson. He also had the intention to offer his hotel as a health resort venue to take advantage of the wonderful claimant the city offered, as well as, the height of the hotel atop Florence Hill offered with fresh ocean air.

But going back before it was the Robinson, the hotel was first the Florence Hotel and dated back to its opening on January 24th, 1884. The building had been designed by San Diego architect, William W. Bowers. The hotel took its name from the hilltop that it was built upon; Florence Heights. It was advertised as having indoor plumbing (which was still something new even in 1884), electric lights, and wonderful dining.In 1891, San Diego architect William Sterling Hebbard was commissioned to add additional sections onto the original hotel to accommodate the demand for rooms and the need for more space.

The Hotel Robinson was located atop Florence Heights (with other names as Cortez Hill - Bankers Hill) in the downtown area of San Diego, which the hotel advertised as being 185 feet above sea level. Guest were given one of the most amazing views of the Pacific Ocean Bay, Point Loma, and the lower downtown area of the city from atop the hotel's spacious viewing porch. The hotel also encompassed almost an entire city block; bounded by Third, Fourth, Fir, and Grape Streets.The Hotel Robinson operated on the European Plan.

The Robinson advertised as having 200 rooms all with then modern boiler steam heat. It claimed it had no dampness - chilly winds - no fog, along with, being the "most healthful resort in all of California". The hotel had a fine dining room and cafe, where a well trained culinary staff prepared breakfast, lunch, and dinners for guests, as well as, for persons of the community to enjoy fine dining at. The hotel had streetcar service to its front doors that allowed guests to go to most areas of the city. Besides a nightly rate, the hotel offered guests the ability to stay for the week or even the month. In addition, it offered a sun parlor, roof garden and the purest of drinking water - purified water. The Robinson also had its own orchestra in attendance for wonderful nightly live entertainment. The hotel could accommodate up to 300 guests.

But sometime about 1913 to 1914, it appears that Chas. Robinson sold the hotel with it reverting back for a few years to the Florence Hotel. However by 1919, it had become the Hotel Casa Loma. Mr. Robinson and his wife Nancy L. Hubbard Robinson, had residences both in Los Angeles, along with, a large fine home on Orange Avenue on Coronado Island in San Diego; where he also served as a trustee for the island community. Mr. Robinson's also had other business and hotel interests as well. Mr. Robinson passed in 1922; at the age of only 68.

Even started as far out as 1910, the Hotel Robinson started advertising for the upcomingPanama California exposition, which was in 1915 in San Diego, and was to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal. However by the start of the actual exposition, the hotel had been reverted sometime before back in name to that of the Florence.

But by 1919, it appears the hotel underwent another ownership change again, as well as, name change. This time the hotel was renamed the Hotel Casa Loma. It retained that name for some time. However sometime by the 1940's and prior to the hotel's closing, it may have reverted back to the Hotel Florence name.

Fast forward to today, and some of the original homes that were near the hotel still stand but there are no traces of the once famous hotel. The Hotel Robinson and Florence has long since disappeared into San Diego's lost history being demolished in 1950 only to become a parking lot, which it still is today on this most historic site. Save for a few relics, such as this most rarest ice cream dish, some postcards, and other scarce items, this is all that is left of one of San Diego's most important and luxurious hotels of the past.

During the era that this ice cream shell was made and used, persons arriving in San Diego to stay at the Robinson Hotel would have primarily arrived by either the Coronado Railroad (later to become the San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway Company, that became part of the of Southern Pacific) or the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad.Persons could also arrive in the city at the bay Steamer – Steamship from San Francisco.

Besides its rarity from being from the short lived Hotel Robinson, this pattern is also just simply gorgeous in how it looks; especially, with the highly detailed and most beautiful green, yellow and orange California Poppy flowers shown on the front, along with, the highly detailed Hotel Robinson circular logo in the center.

This ice cream shell would have been used in the hotel’s dining room, parlor, or for private room service to serve serving of ice cream, and other desserts, to guest in the most elegant fashion. It would have been used in connection with the Robinson Hotel silver soldered – silver plate and glassware for table service.

It is the heavyweight type Steamship, Restaurant, and Railroad china.The tray was made by William Guerin & Co. in Limoges, France and should date circa 1903 era.The backstamp reads W.G. & Co.The backstamp also reads “Design Copyrighted – BURLEY & CO. – CHICAGO – FOR Hotel Robinson.”It appears that this pattern was also specially made for the hotel.

The plate features the hotel’s circular logo in the center that has the seal of the State of California that reads “HOTEL ROBINSON – SAN DIEGO”.The outer rim features what appears to in that of California Poppy that shows several poppies and vines in the outer boarder and surround in the circular log.The logo and decoration is all overglazed and original.

The ice cream shell has no cracks, no chips, and is in near mint condition with only very light usage and a couple of small scratches to the front. Please study the photos and feel free to message any questions.

A wonderful addition to your vintage restaurant ware, hotel china, home decorating – home furnishing, or historic San Diego / Julian California antique collection.

Please note that the photographic images of the hotel and the dining room are shown for historical reference purposes only and are "not" included with this listing; only the rare ice cream dish.

Please ask any questions before committing to purchase.

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