Your Stories about Dish Night and Other China Premiums

Gas Station Wedding China

When I was getting married in 1969, my parents asked me if I wanted a set of china for twelve. I grew up in a very small town, Lindsborg, Kansas, and my father was good friends with a service station owner, Mr. Champlin. Over a few years, the gasoline company had had a promotion, buy a certain amount of gas and get a piece of china. Buy your gas at that station routinely, and over time you would have a set: plates, saucers, dessert dishes, cups and saucers. The promotion had finished and the owner had a lot of china left over. My parents asked, would I be offended to get a set of this china, and would I like to have it?

It seemed like a good deal to me. The pattern was inoffensive. I received the set and two other relatives bought me a serving dish in the same pattern. I have used the china ever since as everyday dishes.

The dishes were made in Japan by Royalton China Company, but one of the cups was slightly different, and marked St. Regis Fine China.

Karen Borell
January 2023

The Old Victoria Theater in Downtown Toronto

My Mom passed away when I was quite young but my father told me that Mom and Grandma went to the matinee during the Depression at what he called The Old Victoria Theatre in downtown Toronto, Canada and received a piece of china with each nickel admission.

They must have seen a lot of movies because the sets are eight pieces: cup, saucer, dinner plate, salad plate, bread plate, soup bowl, cereal bowl, and dessert nappy. I have eight complete place settings. Unfortunately, the set doesn’t include any completer pieces like gravy boat or serving dishes.

Laura Simmons
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
July 2025