Table Numbers Display

[Jonathan Granato]

I've noticed pics from SS Queen Elizabeth's dining room where the tables have a table number prominently displayed. I don't see anything like this on the older liners, including Titanic.

How and why did the practice of numbering tables prominently begin?

 

[Bob Godfrey]

I believe that in the 3rd Class dining room the chairs were numbered, if not the tables.

 

[Lee Gilliland]

Then I assume the chair number coordinated with the napkin rings? I have two napkin rings, one from Second Class, one from Third, from the Olympic, both of which have numbers on them.