The Amazing 72-Year Journey Of A Set Of German China

     I have a fascinating story for you this morning. It starts in Germany in 1879 and goes through to 2022 here in Pacifica. Joe Cassidy, please note! Purdue University plays a big part in the story.

    The story starts in Selb, Bavaria in 1879. A gifted porcelain craftsman named Rosenthal decided to establish a China factory. In the proudest German traditions, he dedicated the company to manufacturing only the highest quality products. The company grew and prospered. Its China became sought by people of good taste and class all over the world. If you look on eBay today, you will find a set of Rosenthal China from the 1930s on offer for $90,000 US. Here is a detailed report on the company for those who are curious:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosenthal_(company)

       When the Nazis came to power in Germany, things got tough for the family that owned Rosenthal China. They were practicing Catholics. But they had a Jewish name and Jewish ancestors. In 1937 they left Germany and went into exile elsewhere. The Nazis seized the China factory. The Rosenthal family did not get their factory back until 1950.

    I swim at a pool early each morning. It is The Jean Brink Pool. It is named in honor of an incredible lady who is now 81 years of age, She swims with me each morning.

     Jean's father was from Indiana. He attended Purdue University. He earned a degree in civil engineering. He accepted a commission as a second lieutenant in the US Army Corps of Engineers. He made the army his career. He rose to the rank of colonel. He married and had a daughter named Jean. She grew up in the privileged world of the child of a senior U.S. Army officer. After World War II, Jean moved with her father to France. She would often go shopping at the military commissary in Paris. She made friends with a fellow shopper, (Mrs.) Mamie Dowd Eisenhower. At that time, she was married to General of the Army Dwight David Eisenhower. She would later go on to serve as First Lady of the US from early 1953 to early 1960.

    Jean moved with her father to Germany. In 1950, he made a purchase of a set of Rosenthal China for the family. The factory had just reopened in Germany.

        When the family was not living overseas, they made their home in West Lafayette, Indiana. They were near Purdue University. Jean's father would go on to command US Army ROTC unit at Purdue University, and Jean decided to have a career as an educator. She earned both a BA and MA degree in education at Purdue University. Jean then moved to Boston and ended up in San Francisco with an eventual move to Pacifica where she has lived for 46 years.

    When Jean's parents passed away, she inherited the Rosenthal China set. A few weeks ago, Jean made a most kind and generous offer to Elena and me. She offered to give us the Rosenthal China set on the condition that we take good care of it and pass it to our daughters later. We agreed. We became the proud owner of a 72-year-old set of beautiful China.