Back in 2006 I found a Gus Stickley platter at a local swap meet. It was polished, had scratches and paint drips on it. I had posted pics of it back then and had promised to post the refinished item. Michael Ashford from Evergreen Studios did the patina on the platter and I have here posted the result. I'm happy with the outcome and for what I paid for the piece plus the restoration I was very pleased. In the spring 2007 Rago auction this same platter with original patina sold for $3250. I have invested less than $300. Not too bad. Fred asked for me to post pictures of my collection, I have copper, pottery and furniture so I will break them up to the proper categories.

Hope you all enjoy!

Dano

another view of Gus Platter

Gus Platter hallmark

That is a great tray and it looks great with the new patina.

Thanks for showing it to us.

Best

What are the measurements of the platter? It looks to be longer than the depth of the table that it's on!

Beautiful piece.

Handle to handle it is 23", it is on a sofa table for picturing taking purposes but ordinarily is displayed on a Harvey Ellis reproduction sewing table.

Dano

Dano,

The "Craftsman Furniture Made By Gustav Stickley" catalog shows platter #355 as 20" long--that must be measured without the handles. Or you have one that is a bit longer.

I just bought the same platter on Ebay, but they state the length at 10 3/8", so only half the size. I haven't gotten the shipment yet to verify. Any idea what the model # of this shorter platter is? I can't find a great reference for the complete G. Stickley metalware items.

Thanks!

One just like yours just hit Ebay for $895--damaged!

HOLY SMOKES! That is awesome. I can't believe how great that new patina looks. The only thing I like better than stories like yours, Dano, is when I'm telling them about me!

BeenWatching, I contemplated that smaller platter that you bought; decided I couldn't afford it right now. Let us know how it is. Isn't the Complete Guide to the metalwork of Gustav Stickley a book that's waiting to be written?

Frank and BeenWatching, My platter is actually 20 1/2" long and only 11" wide at the middle but it is undoubtedly a Gus #355 platter. Since these were not massed produced it's easy to assume that the craftsman had variations to their production as we have seen on many other items made at this time. The first one off the table was probably 20" long and 12" wide so thats what they put on description, everything after that was probably close but not right on the money as far as size was concerned.

After looking at my book and seeing the description and price I found it ironic that the price listed for the platter, is exactly what I paid for it at the swap meet.

Dano

Thought folks might like to see what it looked like before Dan had it patinated.

Stickley platter before patina

Best,

If you care to double your money, I'll send you the eight dollars! I can imagine the surge of energy you felt when you realized what you had... that's what keeps me going! Again, that's an outstanding piece, thanks in no small part by that exceptional repatination.

Thanks for the before photos Fred.

Thanks Fred, didnt still have those photos in my file or I would have posted them. As usual your attention to detail has made the forum better.

Frank, thanks for your kind offer but I will hold onto it for the time being. However, my daughter threatens to sell it all at a yard sale when I'm gone, no doubt she's my daughter since I threaten to take her cat to the pound for jumping on my furniture and brushing past my pottery(yikes!) I dont have time for swap meets locally but when I go to Ca. twice a year I always time it with the Rose Bowl swap meet (review written in another category)and when I found this platter and flipped it over and saw the mark and the price tag I nearly broke my shoulder going for my wallet! I know you understand the feeling, it is what keeps us all going, it's not so much what something cost but the idea of finding it, price helps of course but even more to me is that this piece survived two world wars and was never turned in for scrap! Keep searching, it's what makes this not just fun but a enriching thing to do as well.

Dano

Dano, I get what you mean by the enriching comment. I love the idea of being surrounded by objects that were made by craftspeople many years ago. That these things we love survived so long, were designed, created, retailed, possessed, and sometimes thrown in a basement by people long gone fires my imagination.

I have a five year old daughter who has not damaged anything to date. At this time, she appreciates it (because, as my wife says, I've brainwashed her). But I'm waiting for the day when she asks why we have this brown, used furniture.