This is a common shard, most likely from a plate or saucer from a Deering Ice Cream Shop. Found on Eastport's shore. Deering Ice Cream was first formed around 135 years ago. Guessing this shard is likely from the 1950-60's.
In 1973 there were 18 Deering Ice Cream Shops in Maine and New Hampshire. Hamburgers rose in price from 55 to 65 cents. At the time (1973) wholesale hamburger went up from 89 cents to $1.15 per pound.
The 107-year-old Deering Ice Cream Corp., which was sold to the above investor group by Andrew Stickney, 42, who had bought the company from his father in 1990. Here is the obit of Andrew's father, in 2011.
Deering plate for sale on ebay. $99!
My absolute favorite ice cream in the world is no longer.... Deering peppermint​ stick ice cream was the most heavenly flavorful ice cream I have ever had. I loved the pink and green 'crunchies'...it was the BEST I have ever tasted. I'm saddened to find that Deering Ice Cream is gone. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have had the pleasure of enjoying it while I could. .. to the person or persons who are responsible for dissolving Deering Ice Cream, . BOOOOOOOO ... You're mean!
I fondly remember both the restaurants and the ice cream, from family summer vacations in the 60's and 70's in ME and NH. I had more or less forgotten about them until I started reading an article about Howard Johnson's. Howard Johnson's middle name was Deering, which made me curious if there was a family connection, but I can't find any such suggestion. A coincidence, perhaps?
There is a Wikipedia piece on HDJ. It is interesting to see Deering! Stickney was handed down the Deering business from his father of the same name. HDJ did not start his dining business until 1925 per wiki and he bought a ice cream recipe from a local vendor (no name). Maybe he was a cousin to the Deering name? Or Stickney a cousin to HDJ? It would take deeper research. Stickney senior did graduated from Deering High School in Maine. From wiki on the area known as Deering where Stickney named his ice cream: "Deering, Maine (named for Capt. James Deering, horse farmer and early resident of Deering), it was incorporated into Portland as Deering Center on March 9, 1899." Maybe going back to this Captain, there may be a name connection. All in all a great research question, Carl.