Jewel Tea

The Jewel Tea Company was started in the late 1800's in the Chicago area by Frank Skiff.  His brother-in-law Frank Ross joined the business after the turn of the century,  In those days, coffee, tea, and other goods were sold door to door out of wagons.  Regular customers were rewarded for their business with premiums, such as china.

The famous "Jewel Tea Dishes" were manufactured by the Hall China Company.  The official pattern name is Autumn Leaf, although many collectors refer to it as "Jewel" or "Jewel Tea."  Even though the pattern is most associated with the Jewel Tea Company, it did not become exclusive for their premiums until 1933.

The Jewel Tea Company evolved into the Jewel-Osco chain of grocery stores, which today operates in the Chicago-area.  They discontinued their in home shopping in 1981.  Hall discontinued the Autumn Leaf line in 1975, although it still makes exclusive pieces in this pattern for the National Autumn Leaf Collectors Club.

The Autumn Leaf pattern remains popular today with collectors.  Many of them remember their mothers or grandmothers getting the dishes from the Jewel salesperson when he made his rounds.  The simplicity of the pattern and the pretty colors appeal to many collectors, as well.

From time to time, YesterNook vendors have pieces of Autumn Leaf for sale.  It never lasts very long!  It's just one more example of the many wonderful things you can find in our store!