Hello All,

This is an article on a particularly nice item from Craftsman Studios - Craftsmen Inc. of Laguna Beach: the No. 951 'Daisy' Tray.

With this article is one image of the tray. Please refer to posts after this article for images images discussed here (with apologies, I have still not figured out how to post multiple images on this forum).

First, a little about the company...

CRAFTSMAN STUDIOS – CRAFTSMEN INC.
The Laguna Beach, California-based hammered Arts and Crafts-style copper company, Craftsman Studios, and later Craftsmen Inc., produced a prodigious variety and volume of pieces in the early part of the 20th century. Little is known about the company other than the ubiquitous amount of copper pieces it produced under at least eight different variants of their makers-mark. See my short article on Craftsman Studios -- Craftsmen Inc. maker’s marks on another forum here and a regularly updated article on Flikr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/6...s/72157616255710819/.

While much of the copper pieces produced by Craftsman Studios – Craftsmen Inc. pale in comparison to pieces produced by Roycroft, Stickley (all three companies), Onondaga Metal Shops, Benedict, among many others, a few pieces are worthy of a coveted spot in a collector’s home, in my humble opinion. This may be particularly true for beginner collectors, as Craftsman Studios – Craftsmen Inc. hammered copper is ‘generally’ comparatively more affordable than those of other well-known makers.

THE ‘DAISY’ TRAY
One such example is the 17 inch No. 951 'Daisy' Tray, so named (by me – if someone knows another name please let me know) for the chased daisy in the middle. This piece was produced under at least two different marks: Craftsman Studios, and; Craftsmen Inc. (Marks 4 and 7 in the above article), but identical in quality of execution and design. This particular tray shows up occasionally on eBay where prices have ranged between $125 USD (VG) in 2006 and $775 USD (G) in 2007! It has also showed up a number of occasions in the usual Arts and Crafts auctions (http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/benedict-wmf,-etc.-seven-assorted-copper-pieces:-1-c-41o8r94udv).

The overall size, rich patina, and nice hammering with some chasing of the No. 951 ‘Daisy’ tray make this piece a great buy. Even the hanger on the back is hand cut and hand-hammered, even though it would not normally be visible. Please see the images that go along with this article and make your own judgement.

THE ‘DAISY’ TRAY AND EVOLUTION OF A DESIGN
The Craftsman Studios – Craftsmen Inc. ‘Daisy’ tray is also a good example of the evolution of design in Arts and Crafts objects. Design elements in the Craftsman Studios – Craftsmen Inc. version show up in an apparently much earlier unmarked version that I have provided an example of.

This ruddy-patina 16” tray was advertised as Benedict or other maker on eBay, although I suspect that it may be an example of English Arts and Crafts hammered copper. Note the round and oblong ‘bean’ bumps around the edge of this have been ‘copied’ or emulated on the No. 951 tray. There is even some crimping between the bumps, as in the English version. Although not exact, the overall look of the two trays is very similar, right down to the size. Craftsman Studios – Craftsmen Inc. added their own design twist with the hand-chased daisy in the middle of the tray.

There are two more trays from Vermont Copper Crafters (VCC) Townshend, Vermont which bear resemblance to the No. 951 ‘Daisy’ Tray: No. 604 and No. 600 (image of No. 604 courtesy of A. David Connell and image No. 600 courtesy of Bruce M. McIntosh). No. 604 is similar in size and bears the exact same daisy in the middle as the Craftsman Studios – Craftsmen Inc. No. 951 tray – right down to the number of petals (12) and internal dimpling. No. 600 is also similar in size to the No. 951 but, while relatively plain inside, the outside edge has the longer ‘bean’ bumps evidenced on the No. 951. Note that the scalloping around the edge of VCC No. 604 is reminiscent of that observed on bowls, vases, and other trays designed and manufactured by Craftsman Studios – Craftsmen Inc.

Vermont Copper Crafters was founded in 1946 by Harry and Leonore McIntosh. The company’s original name was "Smith Craft Co." but was changed to "Vermont Copper Crafters" early in 1948. The company ceased trading in 1951 during the copper shortage of the Korean War. Harry McIntosh worked for Craftsman Inc. for a short time before WWII, and the influence on Vermont Copper Crafters pieces is clear. Bruce has McIntosh is the son of Harry and Leonore and has confirmed that Harry designed the pieces, in addition to hammering with his crew. He is purported to have manufactured tray No. 604. See reference to the VCC at http://www.oldcopper.org/Marks%20u-v.htm.

Bruce McIntosh provided me with the images and information (also from Susan Walter from the above web page) on the Vermont Copper Crafters – thanks, Bruce! He has many of the VCC shop and office records, and has written a history of the company. The book has pictures of about 80% of the known items designed and manufactured in the business. Entitled, "A Brief History of the Vermont Copper Crafters," it is available at www.Lulu.com and is currently undergoing a revision by Bruce.

Any comments on Craftsman Studios – Craftsmen Inc., Vermont Copper Crafters, and the evolution of Arts and Crafts pieces would be greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,

Copperoak

This piece was produced under at least two different marks: Craftsman Studios, and; Craftsmen Inc. (Marks 4 and 7 in the above article), but identical in quality of execution and design. This particular tray shows up occasionally on eBay where prices have ranged between $125 USD (VG) in 2006 and $775 USD (G) in 2007! It has also showed up a number of occasions in the usual Arts and Crafts auctions (http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/benedict-wmf,-etc.-seven-assorted-copper-pieces:-1-c-41o8r94udv).

An example of the hammering detail.

More detail.

A rather simple hand-chased daisy that brings a little novelty to the piece.

Back of the tray.

Even the hanger on the back is hand cut and hand-hammered, despite not normally being visible.

This piece was produced under at least two different marks: Craftsman Studios, and; Craftsmen Inc. (Marks 4 and 7 in the above article), but identical in quality of execution and design.

PLEASE DISREGARD THE PREVIOUS IMAGE -- IT'S NOT CORRECT.

This piece was produced under at least two different marks: Craftsman Studios, and; Craftsmen Inc. (Marks 4 and 7 in the above article), but identical in quality of execution and design.

Here's the correct image.

Here's the addition mark on the piece: A plug for Alaska copper! I usually see "Utah Copper" on these pieces, not "-Buy- Alaska Copper".

The Evolution of an Arts and Crafts hammered copper piece.

This ruddy-patina 16” tray was advertised as Benedict or other maker on eBay, although I suspect that it may be an example of English Arts and Crafts hammered copper. Note the round and oblong ‘bean’ bumps around the edge of this have been ‘copied’ or emulated on the No. 951 tray. There is even some crimping between the bumps, as in the English version. Although not exact, the overall look of the two trays is very similar, right down to the size. Craftsman Studios – Craftsmen Inc. added their own design twist with the hand-chased daisy in the middle of the tray.

Now the Craftsmen Inc. version with a daisy.

OK, some more variants of the tray.

There are two more trays from Vermont Copper Crafters (VCC) Townshend, Vermont which bear resemblance to the No. 951 ‘Daisy’ Tray: No. 604 and No. 600 (image of No. 604 courtesy of A. David Connell and image No. 600 courtesy of Bruce M. McIntosh). No. 604 is similar in size and bears the exact same daisy in the middle as the Craftsman Studios – Craftsmen Inc. No. 951 tray – right down to the number of petals (12) and internal dimpling.

Note that the scalloping around the edge of VCC No. 604 is reminiscent of that observed on bowls, vases, and other trays designed and manufactured by Craftsman Studios – Craftsmen Inc.

Vermont Copper Crafters was founded in 1946 by Harry and Leonore McIntosh. The company’s original name was "Smith Craft Co." but was changed to "Vermont Copper Crafters" early in 1948. The company ceased trading in 1951 during the copper shortage of the Korean War. Harry McIntosh worked for Craftsman Inc. for a short time before WWII, and the influence on Vermont Copper Crafters pieces is clear. Bruce has McIntosh is the son of Harry and Leonore and has confirmed that Harry designed the pieces, in addition to hammering with his crew. He is purported to have manufactured tray No. 604. See reference to the VCC at http://www.oldcopper.org/Marks%20u-v.htm.

No. 600 is also similar in size to the No. 951 but, while relatively plain inside, the outside edge has the longer ‘bean’ bumps evidenced on the No. 951.

Image No. 600 courtesy of Bruce M. McIntosh.

Bruce McIntosh provided me with the images and information (also from Susan Walter from the above web page) on the Vermont Copper Crafters – thanks, Bruce! He has many of the VCC shop and office records, and has written a history of the company. The book has pictures of about 80% of the known items designed and manufactured in the business. Entitled, "A Brief History of the Vermont Copper Crafters," it is available at www.Lulu.com and is currently undergoing a revision by Bruce.

One more image of the Craftsman Studios - Craftsmen Inc. No. 951 'Daisy' Trail.

Any comments on Craftsman Studios – Craftsmen Inc., Vermont Copper Crafters, and the evolution of Arts and Crafts pieces would be greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,

Copperoak

Here is another tray along the same lines with the alternating raised 'beans' and circles. It is 6 1/4 inches in diameter and, although unmarked, may be a Gustav Stickley No. 270 tray. Alternatively, it could be a Benedict or other tray. Following this post there are a couple more images and a page from Gustav Stickley's 1905 Hand-wrought metal catologue depicting the No. 270 tray.

Images courtesy of a knowledgeable collector acquaintance of mine.

Best Regards,

Copperoak

The tray reverse.

Top detail.

No. 270 tray from Gus Stickley's 1905 Hand-wrought metal catalogue.