Cincinnati Southern Railroad 1884 Rockford Silver Plate Co. 7 Piece Tea Service This seven piece tea service has an interesting story to tell which begins with the inscription on the tray which reads, "Presented to Samuel G Parker by this friends on the C.S.S.R. A slight token on esteem, April 1884" The tray measures 31 1/2" x 15 1/4". The consignor has done a great deal of research on Samuel Parker and has learned that Parker at one time was likely an organizing member of local unions for the CSRR and may have been black balled for his activity. Later news paper articles state that Family lore says he was a railroad worker who was blackballed for his union activities. Later public documents show that in 1900 Parker was a railroad clerk and his 1913 death certificate says he was a freighter handler. His death by a flood in 1913 prompted two newspaper articles which reveal that at the time of his death Parker was a “Big Four Railroad” worker and that he was a former Yard Master for the Cincinnati Southern Railroad. Whatever the occasion of the presentation of the service to Parker, the event must have been significant to warrant such a gift from co-workers. The condition of the set itself is very nice. All pieces have "Quadruple The Rockford Silver Plate Co." stampings on the underside. The serving pieces all have been stamped with 970 while the tray is stamped 2690. There is one notable dent in the lid of the taller coffee pot. This is the only truly visible condition issue. The tray has some light scratches on the underside from age. All the pieces appear to have a later serial number etched into them on the underside. Possibly for inventory or tracking. This is a wonderful set which captures a personal history in the early years of the Cincinnati Southern. A great set for our railroad china collectors who are looking for a truly one of a kind piece.