For your consideration is a hard to find Keen's English Chop House match striker.
Keen's Chop House opened in 1885 and is open to this day as Keen's Steakhouse at 72 West 36th Street in New York City, the only survivor of the Herald Square Theatre District.
The restaurant was for gentlemen only until 1905 when the famous actress Lily Langtry took Keen's to court for refusing her entry. She won her case and proceeded to order one of their famous mutton chops.
The restaurant also has the largest collection of churchwarden pipes in the world. These clay pipes were too fragile to carry on one's person so travelers usually left theirs at their favorite inn. This practice began in England in the 1700s. Members of the Pipe Club included Teddy Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Babe Ruth and General Douglas MacArthur. Further information can be found at their web site.
The white porcelain striker features Keen's English Chop House in red and black around the base, which is 5 3/4 inches in diameter. It stands 4 inches tall. Impressed on the bottom is Custom Made for Keen's English Chop House. No maker's mark. This matchstrike weighs about 2 pounds!
Great item for any New York City or nightclub collector.
Thanks for looking!
