Just acquired a rather nice vase. Makers mark -Vetcraft Shops Toronto - triangle enclosing a fist with a hammer. Images attached. Anyone know of this maker?

Second Image - Mark

I am not familiar with the maker. The name seems to indicate that the shop was formed to create jobs for the veterans of either the First or Second World War. The style seems to favor the WWI.

I will contact a historian of Canadian smiths and see if she has any further information.

Nice vase.

Fred

I contacted my friend with your questions and the following is what she responded...

There is still legislation on the books for Vetcraft employees, and I imagine the original shops were set up to employ returned WW1 vets.

It seems there were/are shops in Montreal and Toronto, and perhaps Halifax.

They worked in metals, wood and other materials, and currently seem to be the makers of our Remembrance Day poppies.

A quote from a 1998 article in The Upper Canadian: "hammered metal items
made by a Toronto firm by the name of Vetcraft really stand out.
Strong, interesting forms, heavy gauge metal, beautiful applied patinas and a high level of craftsmanship make these pieces comparable to the better know makers abroad."

She was pleased to be able to see the images you posted. Congratulations on your find.

Fred

Here's another Vetcraft find I just picked up - a great bowl with good weight and rich colour. Sorry for the glare on the makers stamp shot. The stamp is weakly struck with a bit missing but there is no doubt it is Vetcraft. "C 13" I assume is a stock ID of some sort.
{removed broken images}

What a great bowl and example of the work of this Canadian organization. What are the dimensions of the bowl?
I suspect the 13 refers to the diameter of the original disk of copper used to raise the bowl.

Fred

Fred - It's about 10.5 inches wide and 4.5 inches high, so the 13 inch copper disk dimension is just about right.

Hi,
A few years ago I picked up a piece of furniture at a garage sale...and have just gotten around to trying to fix it up a little. I have found on the back a diamond shaped metal label bearing the words Disabled Soldiers Vetcraft Shops. Would this be from the same group that made your vase and bowl....does anyone know?
Fran H Ottawa, Ontario

Fran - If the label looks like one of these then yes it appears you have a Vetcraft piece, by the same group of vets.
{broken image}
It would be great to see a picture of your piece and the label. I wasn't aware that they made furniture as well as doing metalware. I've taken an interest in collecting work from this group, so needless to say if you are interested in selling, and it's a good piece, let me know

edit - a new message has just gone up in the furniture forum regarding a piece of Vetcraft furniture

A vetcraft Doll dresser just went on E-bay for $38 . Pictures attached.

Doll Dresser Tag Image

quote:

Originally posted by aclose:
A vetcraft Doll dresser just went on E-bay for $38 . Pictures attached.

hmmm, not very exciting, especially with the overpaint

It is great to see the images of Vetcraft items. I had no idea they worked in wood as well. It is obvious from the image of the mark that this is the same Vetcraft that worked in Metal.

Fred

Stonecat,
I am sorry that it has taken so long to reply (have been busy moving this summer) My piece does indeed have a similar mark on its label..I will try to send a photo in the near future when I have all of my equipment sorted out. This piece was in deplorable shape when I got it and I have restored it hastily for practical usage. Not knowing what I had, I am sure that I have diminished its value as a collector item.
FranH Ottawa, Ontario

I have a metal "city dairy wagon/with wooden horse" made by vetcraft shops/disabled soldiers on diamond shape metal label on wagon. When would this have been mad? Would anyone know it's worth approx. 24"x 10"

quote:

Originally posted by Brenda:
I have a metal "city dairy wagon/with wooden horse" made by vetcraft shops/disabled soldiers on diamond shape metal label on wagon. When would this have been mad? Would anyone know it's worth approx. 24"x 10"

Sounds pretty interesting and different than what has been identified so far. The little bit of history for this shop is contained above. Given the size you note I would think your piece could be worth several hundred dollars, but if it's a 'one of a kind', who knows, and it will depend on relative quality because there probably really isn't anything to compare it to (unlike the other wares made by this shop). Depending where you are, you might want to contact one of the better auction houses in Canada, like Waddington's in Toronto, for a valuation (I don't know if they have a fee service, or if they only do estimates for consignments, being a big auction house, but no harm in asking). I doubt you'll get a reliable valuation anywhere on the internet. You don't get much info about this shop if you do a Google search - in fact I think the couple of hits you get, point to this forum. It would be great if you could post or attach a picture of your piece.

I see Brenda didn't post a photo of hers but it sounds like the same one that is in the antique toys section of this shop below... You can see a photo of it at the link provided..

CLICK HERE

Thanks for the link - very cool toy. I guess this means there are at least two of these which probably means they made this as more or less a stock item. The paint on the horse looks like it was done with spray and a a stencil, also suggesting an 'assembly line' of sorts. As a result, probably not one-of-a-kind status but still a good collectable.

Yes, this is the dairy wagon that I have!! Thanks for showing this picture and for the information. I wonder how many were made. I'll continue to look into.. Brenda

quote:

Originally posted by spudz:
I see Brenda didn't post a photo of hers but it sounds like the same one that is in the antique toys section of this shop below... You can see a photo of it at the link provided..

CLICK HERE

I just found this great site. I have been tracking down the history of Vetcraft Industries here in Toronto for some time, and have a growing collection. As already noted in this site, the Vetcraft program was operated by the Canadian government to provide training and employment to disabled veterans of the First World War. The Vetcraft Industries workshop in Toronto was active from about 1919 until 1925 and was initially located in a mansion on College Street (formerly occupied for a time by the Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario). The building still exists and is used as the International Students house on the campus of the University of Toronto. Later they moved to a more industrial building on Dundas Avenue West.

According to contemporary newspaper accounts, the workshop produced copper and brass wares, children's toys and basketry. There were between 60 and 80 veterans employed there, most from the First World War, but some there were also some older veterans of earlier conflicts such as the South African War.

There are references to sale of these products at two major department stores on Yonge Street, presumably Eaton's and Simpsons - but I suspect there were other outlets as well.