513 S. Main Street - Princeton IL 61356 - (815) 875-1944

Come visit our store! Hours are 10-4 Tuesday- Saturday.

Hoffman's Patterns of the Past - Home to the Sea of China.

Welcome, please enjoy our online showcase.

*Please note that we do NOT currently buy vintage/used china.

Founded in 1944 by Joseph Allen Murphey, Jr., Hoffman's Patterns of the Past is located in Princeton, Illinois, on historic Main Street.

Each month, our customers replace broken or missing pieces, or add to their collection. Please call us with any questions regarding your fine china, flatware and collectibles.

Sea of ChinaHoffman’s Patterns of the Past has been home to the “Sea of China” since 1944, the year the J. A. Murphey family bought the business that had existed since the mid 1800s. After World War II, Allen Murphey realized tabletop was changing and started offering the service of finding replacement pieces for the discontinued patterns.

Buying straight from the manufacturer, Patterns of the Past has the largest selection of new “store stock” patterns. Allen's daughter Jyl and the Hoffman's staff help thousands of customers each month replace their broken or missing pieces of china.

Via phone calls, e-mails or customers visiting our 8,000 square-foot store, we offer a virtual tour of the past. We invite you to come for a visit--Hoffman’s Patterns of the Past is a must-see experience! Located southwest of Chicago on Interstate 80 at Exit 56, we welcome groups large or small. Call if you have questions or need information about any of our products.

Patterns of the Past also offers appraisals and has one of the largest gift shops in central Illinois, stocking over 75 of the major collectibles.


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