United Fruit Company "Banana Boat" STANLEY Vacuum Carafe

Description

The United Fruit Company Steamship Service provided passenger and cargo services under the name of the “Great White Fleet” till 1970. Originally intended for carrying cargo, United Fruit discovered that it could make more profit by adding passengers. Each ship carried bananas and 50-100 passengers. These cargo-liners, known today as the “banana boats”, were instrumental in helping to establish what is popularly known today as the Banana Republics throughout the Caribbean, and Central and South America. They had a huge impact on the beginning of tourism to these areas.
This Stanley Vacuum Carafe was "liberated" from a banana boat by my uncle, and it looks like it was made yesterday even though it is from the 20's or 30's. I conclude this because it is marked on the bottom that it was made in Great Barrington, MA and Stanley moved the plant from Great Barrington in 1933. These tabletop pitchers were used in restaurants, trains and ships. This bottle is engraved with the United Fruit logo and was likely used shipboard in staterooms. This quart size carafe has no dents and the nickel-plated barrel is remarkably bright. The stopper looks to be original. I've used this from time to time and it still keeps my coffee hot. This is an interesting collectible, ~11" tall with stopper.