Melamine Dinner Set
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Vintage Melamine
First introduced in the 1930s, melamine dishware gained its first widespread use in the military during WWII. The Navy bought it to replace enameled metal plates that were apt to corrode after rough use. From there it's use spread to institutions such as hospitals where it's ability to withstand repeated use (or abuse) made it a cost-effective means of serving meals.
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After the war, various melamine manufacturers, such as American Cyanamid, Branchell and Northern Plastic, contacted well-known designers such as Russel Wright, Joan Luntz and Kaye LaMoyne to create elegant designs that are in high demand today by collectors. It was promoted as an easy-care modern alternative to heavy, traditional breakable china. Each manufacturer had various lines, each of which had a distinctive style or pattern and came in specific colors.
If you collect vintage melamine (also referred to by many as "melmac", though Melmac is actually a brand name), you can find a wide variety of individual pieces and sets on eBay. Thrift stores, yard sales and flea markets are all good sources of low-priced melamine. Expect some knife marks and possibly some staining. You can try removing stains with a baking soda & water paste. Use a soft cloth and be sure to rub very lightly. This may not work on plates that have a printed decal on the surface, however.
If you decide to buy vintage melamine from an auction site such as eBay, make sure you carefull read the seller's description. Don't hestitate to contact them with any questions. For hard-to-find pieces you can end up paying a relatively high price, so make sure you're getting good quality for your money.
The best way to care for vintage melamine is to hand wash it with liquid dish detergent and warm water. If you display your melamine vs. serving food on it, you can seal it any dulled pieces with an acrylic spray. Some of the pieces with printed patterns have been known to bubble and crack over time (I have a plate in this condition as well as a burlap-insulated mug with a big bubble inside from when I absent-mindedly used it to to heat up water for tea in my microwave oven).
