The Cosmopolitan Hotel was built around 1892. In addition to its history and surviving photographs, examples of the hotel’s chinaware have also survived and can still be found today. The Cosmopolitan had at least two restaurants: the more elegant Bourbon Restaurant and the Royal Street Café.
At least two patterns of Cosmopolitan chinaware are known. The first example shown here is a small cream or syrup pitcher bearing the Cosmopolitan name. Made by Greenwood China, it almost certainly dates from before 1920.
The second piece is even more interesting. This elaborate gravy boat carries the Cosmopolitan name as well as the intertwined initials “JV.” These are believed to be the initials of Joseph Voegtle, an early proprietor of the Cosmopolitan Hotel before 1910. Made by Bauscher, the gravy boat probably dates from sometime before 1910. The Cosmopolitan later changed hands and was renamed the Hotel Astor.
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