A beautiful antique circa 1912 copper pot with iron handle from the Louis Martin’s in New York City, a rare piece of New York City restaurant history! Cafe del'Opera Opened in 1910 and failed after only four months, after which it changed its name to Louis Martin’s. When it opened in 1910 Cafe del'Opera was considered the grandest of not only the Broadway lobster palaces, it was the most lavish and visually-staggering restaurant in New York City. The restaurant was built in the old Saranac Hotel building at the corner of Broadway and 41st Street and encompassed all eight floors of the building! This massive restaurant required a staff of 750. The New York Times reported at the time of opening that the renovation cost upwards of $4 million (a staggering sum 110+ years ago) and there were 200,000 pieces of silverware, 60,000 glasses, 250,000 pieces of linen and 100,000 pieces of china. Unfortunately the restaurant never could make a go of it, and four months later was shuttered, many of the contents were sold off to pay creditors and a much more streamlined version of the restaurant was reopened under the manager’s name, Louis Martin’s.

Excellent antique condition, small signs of age and use in the way of small marks, bumps, and surface scratches, but no large dents or damage. This pot has been newly polished and professionally retinned it so it is ready for use! It is signed on the pot “L. Barth & Son New York 30-32 Cooper Sq.” and “Louis Martin 1912”

Measures 8.5” wide by 6” high, 16.5“ long including handle; weighs 8.2 pounds empty. Thickness around the rim is approximately 3.1-3.3mm. The final image is a menu I found while researching this piece, it’s included for historical context only and does not come with the purchase of the pan.