This topmark would have been a challenge to identify without the following obscure story tucked away in the
Nov. 22, 1941, issue of the Danville Bee:

"Appeal Made for Dishes and China

"An appeal is being made for china and silver to be used in the school cafeterias where hot lunches are being provided to 385 undernourished children daily.

"No better way is to be found for aiding the defense program than that of providing nourishing food for the bodies of the future citizens of tomorrow.

"Anyone having any old dishes or silver is asked to call the school and they will be called for.

"The South Martinsville, Joseph Martin and Central grammar school cafeterias and the home economics department of the Spencer Penn school were the recipient this week of a set of china given by J. Rucker Clift of this city. The gift will greatly facilitate the providing of lunches to the children."

Although the story refers to J. Rucker Clift "of this city" – ostensibly meaning Danville, Virginia – the 1940 census places him in Martinsville – a distance of about 30 miles away. And we imagine that once Clift made the first donation in 1941, he kept up his philanthropic efforts at least throughout the war, hence the 1945 date on this cup and saucer.

Many thanks to Karen Zeigler for the use of her photos.