Hello All,

Here is a massive organically-shaped tray made by Benedict that was similarly duplicated by various companies (Benedict`s was not likely the first version - see below). The Benedict version is 26 inches long by 11 1/2 inches wide. The following images give various views of the tray, including what I suspect is the 'later' mark, i.e., the bee mark, with a No. 120.

Most of these trays were similar in size and shape by all of the companies. One can see some specific differences when one examines the images that follow. Here is a list of the companies in the likely order of production:

1) Art Fittings Limited, London - Marked as such and numbered as No. 77 in pencil (the same number as a similar tray in the Stickley Bros. Catalogue B of Hand-Beaten Copper). Apparently Gustav Stickley knew of Albert Stickley's association with this company and Gus displayed some of Art Fittings Limited's hammered copper in 1903 in the Craftsman Building (including the wonderful milkweed pod tray Gus eventually manufactured). Info from Don Marek's excellent book, Grand Rapids Art Metalwork. There is apparently an image in an old Art Fittings Limited catalogue but I cannot seem to locate a locally-available copy. Does anyone have one?

2) Stickley Bros. Hand-Beaten Russian Copper -- Marked as No. 77 and 23 inches long by 12 inches wide. As noted above, Albert Stickley was marketing wares from Art Fittings Limited, London. See catalogue images and image from Don Marek's book below.

3) Gustav Stickley Craftsman Workshops -- Marked as the No.354 Serving Tray and 24 inches long 10 inches wide. An image from one of Gus' catalogues is below.

4) Onondaga Metal Shops -- A tray very similar to the Benedict tray I have pictured below. This should be of no surprise, as OMS was purchased by Benedict who began copying the works of OMS and stamping as Benedict. I am uncertain of the model number. Does anyone know is OMS trays were marked with a number? An image of the OMS version is below.

5) Benedict Studios -- Marked with the Benedict maker's mark and model NO. 120. As mentioned above, Benedict purchased OMS and made trays (and other objects) that appear to be pretty much identical. There is much discussion about Benedict using thinner copper for the same pieces produced by OMS. However, I would need to see further proof of this, as I have seen some OMS work with comparatively thin copper.

Any comments or insight on this topic would be greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,

Copperoak

Benedict tray end detail.

An oblique view of the Benedict tray.

Detail of middle roll in Benedict tray.

Whole view of back of Benedict tray.

The whole view of the Benedict Tray back.

A view of the whole reverse side of the Benedict tray.

Benedict tray maker's mark and model No. 120. Note the upside down 1.

Stickley Bros. Quaint 1908 Catalgoue.

Hand-Beaten Russian Copper -- Marked as No. 77 and 23 inches long by 12 inches wide. As noted above, Albert Stickley was marketing wares from Art Fittings Limited, London.

Note the price of $15.00 -- that was a lot of money in 1908 (e.g. Roycroft 7 inch cylinder vases [a la Walter Jennings] were $5.00).

Stickley Bros. Catalogue B

Hand-Beaten Russian Copper -- Marked as No. 77 and 23 inches long by 12 inches wide.

Stickley Bros. Hand-Beaten Russian Copper -- Marked as No. 77 and 23 inches long by 12 inches wide. However, Don Marek in Grand Rapids Art Metalwork that this tray was marked as 404 - was this another Art Fitting Limited, London Number?

Gustav Stickley Craftsman Workshops 1905 Hand-wrought Metal Catalogue

Marked as the No.354 Serving Tray and 24 inches long 10 inches wide.

One more of the Benedict Studios No. 120 Organic tray -- some call it the 'Pulled Taffy' tray.

Re-examining the catalogues I have and Don Marek`s book, it`s become apparent that perhaps Gus Stickley (1903, 1905) carried or manufactured this massive organic tray based on Art Fittings Limited, London, before Stickley Bros (~1908). One would need to examine all of the early catalogues. If anyone has further information, please post it. Thanks.

Best Regards,

Copperoak

This is superb documentation. It is wonderful to see the images and it is obvious that there was a connection between all the firms cited in your survey. I have never seen a catalog of Art Fittings Limited. Jason Lamanna of the Benedict site might be able to give us further information.

Thanks for taking the time to post this extensive research.

It appears that Winterthur has a copy of a 1905 catalog of Art Fittings Limited's work.

Best,
Fred

I forgot to add an image of the Ondondaga Metal Shops version of this tray. It appears pretty much identical to the Benedict Studios version, which makes sense given that Benedict purchased OMS and copied their designs. I will eventually post these images on Flikr where I can also update and refine the text.

Best Regards,

Copperoak

Hi Fred,

Your appreciation is appreciated! This is lot's of work but a labour of love. It's nice to have an outlet in this forum, as there are few other avenues in which to discuss these, at least to us, interesting topics -- it's just not a good ice-breaker at parties or chatting over the fence, is it?

Back to the topic at hand, it would be wonderful to get more images of this tray from the various companies -- does anyone else have an example of this tray? I don't believe that these trays are all that common. I've only seen one in the auction catalogues and none on ebay. This is interesting, as the tray must have been a relatively good seller given that at least five companies were manufacturing and/or marketing this tray. The Benedict Studios tray that I have discussed here came from the estate of a doctor in Portland, Oregon. There were a number of other copper pieces from the same sale. Was Benedict marketing on the west coast or did this tray migrate from the east? I'd be happy to buy the definitive book on Benedict/OMS whenever it comes out (Jason?).

Re the Art Fittings Limited Catalogue, perhaps someone can find a copy and scan a few pages to post here.

Best Regards,

Copperoak

Greetings All,

A very knowledgeable collector acquaintance of mine has what I call a Baby Organic tray that we agree is likely from Benedict Studios. It is 9 1/2 inches long by 6 1/4 inches. He's allowed me to post the image below and two that follow. I think there's no doubt of the association of this tray with the ones posted above.

Best Regards,

Copperoak

A more detailed view.

And the unmarked back.