Greetings All,

Those who collect hammered copper have likely seen pieces from a company that went under Craftsman Studios and Craftsmen Inc, originally from Laguna Beach, California. The 'supposed early' examples stamped with CS are more or less the best examples over their production and desireable to collectors (at least IMHO). Early mark pieces have nice hand-hammering, hand-chasing, interesting forms, and uses of green, brass, copper patinas, in addition to hand colouring chased bits. 'Apparently later' pieces exhibited far less hand-hammering, hand-chasing, and appear almost wholly die-stamped -- these are less collectible.

Very little is known about Craftsman Studios-Craftsmen Inc. The company may or may not have operated only out of Laguna Beach. There may have been an eastern U.S. connection. One or more members apparently left to form Gregorian Copper. Another member, Harry McIntosh, left in the late 1940's to form Vermont Copper Crafters (more on this in another forum). We do know that this company in its many permuations produced a prodigious amount of copper. While most of it pales in comparison to Roycroft, Stickley, OMS, and Benedict hammered copper, there are few 'relatively' outstanding examples. With so much out there, and with prices going up, who knows how much more collectible Craftsman Studios-Craftsmen Inc. will become in the future?

When I first started collecting copper is was Craftsman Studios-Craftsmen Inc. that I graviated to. When you don't know anything about metal collecting this stuff seems pretty good and it's affordable! After a while my tastes changed to Roycroft, Stickley, OMS, and Benedict hammered copper. However, I still appreciate my pieces of Craftsman Studios-Craftsmen Inc. copper. I am seeking to learn more about this company and so have started this forum to discuss the various versions of the makers marks used.

Here I discuss a variety of these makers marks stamped onto the base of hammered copper items fashioned in the Arts and Crafts style by Craftsman Studios -- Craftsmen Inc. I am basing this essay on personal experience and a measly personal collection of around 10 pieces from this company. Still, it is possible to say some things in order to stimulate further discussion on this topic. I will attach a number of example marks below this message.

At this point it is difficult to determine any progression or evolution in development or time based on these marks (from what I have seen). Identical pieces with quite different marks are identical in design and execution. Also, different pieces with identical marks vary widely in quality of design and detail of execution.

However, here is a very rough proposed order of evolution based partially on the level of information in the stamp and its general design(except for the first mark) as exemplified by eight different marks as follows. See also Flikr for the same explanation with the images: http://www.flickr.com/photos/67689005@N00/

Mark # 1. CS Combined
What can be said with relative certainly is that the combined CS mark is likely the earliest known mark. Pieces with this mark generally have the greatest detail in execution, most hand hammering and chasing, and possibly the most unique patinas and addition of extra colours. Bookends, desk sets, tall candlesticks are among the common types found.

Mark # 2. Craftsman Studios Hand Made At Laguna Beach, Calif.
The second possible mark is Craftsman Studios Hand At Laguna Beach, Calif. mark. This mark has the same information as Mark#3, but is comparatively more stylized and therefore surmised to be the earlier version (or it could just be a variant from the exact same period!)

Pieces with this mark often had the origin of the copper stamped somewhere on the bottom. The operation was in Laguna Beach, California, apparently an artistic commune type place in the teens an twenties.

All manner of pieces with this mark show up including low candlesticks, trays of all shapes and sizes, bowls and vases of all sizes and shapes, but no desk sets(?).

Mark # 3. Craftsman Studios Hand Made At Laguna Beach, Calif.
The third possible mark is Craftsman Studios Hand At Laguna Beach, Calif. mark. This mark has the same information as Mark#2, but is comparatively less stylized, with the Calif. moved to a lower line. Is it later or just a variant from the exact same period?)

Pieces with this mark often had the origin of the copper stamped somewhere on the bottom.

All manner of pieces with this mark including low candlesticks, trays of all shapes and sizes, bowls and vases of all sizes and shapes, but no desk sets(?).

Mark # 4. Craftsman Studios Hand Made.
The fourth mark is similar to Mark #3, but without Laguna Beach, Calif. Did Craftsman Studios move manufacturing to another facility, or add another facility to increase production and hence have to remove reference to Laguna Beach?

All manner of products were produced with this mark. Most items have a comparatively reduced quality of hammering and without any real chasing. Some forms even appear almost 100% die stamped.

Mark # 5. Craftsman Studios in Anvil
Mark five is a simplified version of an Anvil with Craftsman Studios impressed inside. There is no reference to Hand Made or Laguna Beach. In this example from a simple pitcher there is no model number.

I’ve only seen this mark once but there are likely many pieces that were stamped with it.

Mark # 6. Craftsman Studios on a paper label
Mark six has Craftsman Studios printed in black on an oval paper label. The example I have from the bottom of one of those scrunched and folded bowls that Craftsman Studios made all manner of forms of only has a partial label. There is no apparent model number on the bowl bottom.

I’ve only seen this mark/label once, but there must be dozens of examples of this.

Mark # 7. Craftsmen Inc.
The seventh mark is Craftsmen Inc. Hand Made (no Laguna Beach) with an anvil and in a new font. Why the change from Craftsman to Craftsmen? Does this signify a transition from a single owner/operator to multiple owner/operators? Re the loss of Laguna Beach, was the manufacturing facility now somewhere other than Laguna Beach? There have been rumours of an eastern U.S. connection. We do know that the founder of Vermont Copper Crafters was founded by Harry McIntosh, a former worker at Craftsmen Inc. More on this relationship in another article.

All manner of products were produced with this mark. Most items have a comparatively reduced quality of hammering and without any real chasing. Some forms even appear almost 100% die stamped. However, there are exeptions, such as the No. 951 Daisy tray. See Flikr set at <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/67689005@N00/sets/72157616301358624/">www.flickr.com/photos/67689005@N00/sets/72157616301358624/</a>

Mark #8. Craftsman Co. outside of Anvil
The eighth mark is with a completely different font, with Hand Made outside of the Anvil, and without reference to Laguna Beach. This came from a very simply hand-chased little-hammered box.

I am uncertain what items were marked with this other than the box, but perhaps pitchers, candlesticks, vases, etc.

Does this order make sense? Can any other information be added to the mark descriptions? Are there other mark variations that I've missed? I have heard that someone out there is writing a book on Craftsman Studios-Craftsmen Inc. -- does anyone know anything about this?

Any insight or comments on these ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Best Regards,

Copperoak

Mark # 1. CS Combined
What can be said with relative certainly is that the combined CS mark is likely the earliest known mark. Pieces with this mark generally have the greatest detail in execution, most hand hammering and chasing, and possibly the most unique patinas and addition of extra colours. Bookends, desk sets, tall candlesticks are among the common types found.

Mark # 2. Craftsman Studios Hand Made At Laguna Beach, Calif.
The second possible mark is Craftsman Studios Hand At Laguna Beach, Calif. mark. This mark has the same information as Mark#3, but is comparatively more stylized and therefore surmised to be the earlier version (or it could just be a variant from the exact same period!)

Pieces with this mark often had the origin of the copper stamped somewhere on the bottom. The operation was in Laguna Beach, California, apparently an artistic commune type place in the teens an twenties.

All manner of pieces with this mark show up including low candlesticks, trays of all shapes and sizes, bowls and vases of all sizes and shapes, but no desk sets(?).

Mark # 3. Craftsman Studios Hand Made At Laguna Beach, Calif.

The third mark is Craftsman Studios Hand At Laguna Beach, Calif. mark. This mark has the same information as Mark#2, but is comparatively less stylized, with the Calif. moved to a lower line. Is it later or just a variant from the exact same period?)

Pieces with this mark often had the origin of the copper stamped somewhere on the bottom.

All manner of pieces with this mark including low candlesticks, trays of all shapes and sizes, bowls and vases of all sizes and shapes, but no desk sets(?).

Mark # 4. Craftsman Studios Hand Made.
The fourth mark is similar to Mark #3, but without Laguna Beach, Calif. Did Craftsman Studios move manufacturing to another facility, or add another facility to increase production and hence have to remove reference to Laguna Beach?

All manner of products were produced with this mark. Most items have a comparatively reduced quality of hammering and without any real chasing. Some forms even appear almost 100% die stamped.

Mark # 5. Craftsman Studios in Anvil
Mark five is a simplified version of an Anvil with Craftsman Studios impressed inside. There is no reference to Hand Made or Laguna Beach. In this example from a simple pitcher there is no model number.

I’ve only seen this mark once but there are likely many pieces that were stamped with it.

Mark # 6. Craftsman Studios on a paper label
Mark six has Craftsman Studios printed in black on an oval paper label. The example I have from the bottom of one of those scrunched and folded bowls that Craftsman Studios made all manner of forms of only has a partial label. There is no apparent model number on the bowl bottom.

I’ve only seen this mark/label once, but there must be dozens of examples of this.

Mark # 7. Craftsmen Inc.
The seventh mark is Craftsmen Inc. Hand Made (no Laguna Beach) with an anvil and in a new font. Why the change from Craftsman to Craftsmen? Does this signify a transition from a single owner/operator to multiple owner/operators? Re the loss of Laguna Beach, was the manufacturing facility now somewhere other than Laguna Beach? There have been rumours of an eastern U.S. connection. We do know that the founder of Vermont Copper Crafters was founded by Harry McIntosh, a former worker at Craftsmen Inc. More on this relationship in another article.

All manner of products were produced with this mark. Most items have a comparatively reduced quality of hammering and without any real chasing. Some forms even appear almost 100% die stamped. However, there are exceptions, such as the No. 951 Daisy tray. See Flikr set at <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/67689005@N00/sets/72157616301358624/">www.flickr.com/photos/67689005@N00/sets/72157616301358624/</a>

Mark #8. Craftsman Co. outside of Anvil

The eighth mark is with a completely different font, with Hand Made outside of the Anvil, and without reference to Laguna Beach. This came from a very simply hand-chased little-hammered box.

I am uncertain what items were marked with this other than the box, but perhaps pitchers, candlesticks, vases, etc.

Here is the correct link that will take you right to the Craftsman Studios/Craftsmen Inc. makers mark presentation with the images.

Best Regards,

Copperoak

http://www.flickr.com/photos/6...s/72157616255710819/

This is great to see this compilation of marks. I too have made a similar comparison and I will check to see if I have different examples of the marks. An historian and friend, Glenn Griffin has compiled information on this and other American metalsmiths and hopefully will publish what he has researched.

Thanks for sharing this information.

Best

This appears to be a better example of Mark # 5. This time you can actually see Los Angeles written at the bottom inside the anvil. It appears blurry in my earlier example.

This mark came from a beautifully-hammered and patina'd trapezoidal-round ink well.

I suppose that this adds another piece to the puzzle: Craftsmen Studios must have moved their operation to Los Angeles at some point.

Best Regards,

Copper Oak

quote:

Mark # 5. Craftsman Studios in Anvil
Mark five is a simplified version of an Anvil with Craftsman Studios impressed inside. There is no reference to Hand Made or Laguna Beach. In this example from a simple pitcher there is no model number.

I’ve only seen this mark once but there are likely many pieces that were stamped with it.

These images are great!

The last mark appears on a lamp that just completed on eBay. What is perculiar about the lamp is that it is also marked Old Mission Koppercraft. This may indicate a connection between the two California firms.

Best,

Hi Fred,

Would it be possible to post a link to that ebay transaction or email it to me? Or perhaps an image of the two marks? Thanks.

Copperoak

This is what I have for the completed auction on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...IT&item=130297036554

best,

The study of this firm is a classic example of how the quality of product and the integrity of design and intent seemed to degrade over the years of production.

The same can be said for Roycroft copper.

The hammer marks, that originally were a product fo the creative process, became decorative and often did not reflect how the piece was made. The quality of the hammer marks eventualy degrated to random widely spaced blows by unskilled craftsmen and women. I suspect the embossed designs were machine applied and no longer done by hand with individual tools.

I also supect that the California firm had a deeper tie to New York coppersmiths. I would be interested in others viewpoint on this decline in craftsmanship.

best,

Hi Fred,

Your comments are certainly ring true. The evolution of Roycroft's declining quality is reflected almost perfectly in the series of marks: early to late period. I say almost perfect because there are some exceptions, such as some of the late period marked Kipp-designed copper bud vases that still look great sitting beside similarly marked non-hammered examples of the same thing. In this case old stock with a new mark? Or just different parts of the late mark manufacturing era?

With Craftsman Studios - Craftsmen Inc. there doesn't seem to be any similar progression. With your finding here now of a San Francisco connection it's even more confusing! Old Mission Koppercraft pieces appear to be incredibly well-made, unlike most of the Craftsmen Studios - Craftsmen Inc. pieces. To find a piece with both marks is quite surprising -- see attached. It will be really interesting to parse out this particular relationship.

Thanks

Copperoak

I would propose the option that the Los Angeles location came before that of Laguna Beach.

I believe I have read that that occured in the late 1920s.

Best,

An interesting and plausible theory. It would be great if you could find the source of that information.

Also, how far along is your friend, Glenn Griffin in putting together his book on American metalsmiths? It would be great to get his view on our discussion.

Best Regards,

Copperoak

I have many CS pieces. The "C" surrounding the "S" mark is the early Los Angeles mark followed by the one marked Los Angeles. They moved to Laguna Beach probably in the early 20's/late teens as some design elements remain on early Laguna examples. Laguna's hallmark design changed slightly through the years. The Craftsman Inc. was next followed by the Craftsmen Co. (notice the spelling with a "e" replacing the "a" in men vs. man and came much later as I have seen CraftsMEN bowls with dates of 1957. After the move south the quality and design detailing suffered.
Some CS examples share design elements with OMKK examples and I too believe there my have been an employee or two that migrated to OMKK after the move from LA to Laguna or visa versa.
I have seen and own early CS pieces that rival some Roycroft and OMKK. It is said that many OMKK example were spun and machine hammered where early CS was all hand hammered.

Jeff