Found my first piece of Roycroft after searching for six months. Last week I stumbled across a set of bookends that were dark brown, hand hammered and very simple in design. I took a casual look and about jumped out of my skin. They both had the Roycroft mark. The antique dealer did not have them priced. The dealer on duty called the owner. He said that they looked like sheet metal and not heavy at all. He never mentioned the shop mark. I talked them down to $35.

I got lucky again. This week, I came across a Benedict metal vase--no dings, no scratches but recently cleaned by the kindly antique dealer. (Really nice guy, just didn't know any better.) It is goregous with a flared top and a unusual silver band of swirling, curving lines across the top of the vase. The technique is not what Heintz used--it is not raised but perfectly flat. The bottom is marked Benedict, bee logo, Viking Silver, 1922.

I left finger prints on it (darn) and am studying the thread about Oxidation for copper. It doesn't address the problem of a silver over-lay or plated design. I don't want to turn the silver black--just restore the copper patina.

Any ideas?

Pictures tomorrow--I need natural light and it's dark now.

By the way, I talked him down to $45. He also had a wonderful Heintz ashtray, very elaborate, stamped Marshal Fields or Macy's. He had a really high price on it. But I don't collect ash trays. That one, he didn't polish.

Bev.

Bev,

Congratulations on the Roycroft Bookends. $35 is always a great deal when speaking of earlier Roycoft. I look forward to seeing the images.

The Benedict vase sounds interesting and they produced a whole line of themed items. Mayan, Egyptian, etc. I would do nothing to the patina just wipe it and let it turn dark on it's own. Many times the themed Benedict items were not copper or brass but a pewter like metal that was plated. Many of these items were not hand done. I suggest visiting the Benedict website.

Smart to pass on the ashtray especially if it was high priced. I try not to collect what I do not use. Helps keep the clutter down.

Fred

Bev - great finds! Please post pics!