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An Original Roycrofter Remembers His Work

Leon Varley worked at the Roycroft Copper Shop between 1913 and 1921. After only five years he had attained master craftsman status, one of only 3 out of the 35 coppersmiths at the time. According to Leon, “As I recall it, each one of us had certain things to make. I know that my job was, one of them, was that oval service tray with the handles on the end. Up until the time I left there, which was after Mr. Hubbard went down in the Lusitania, I made every oval tray that ever went out of that shop.” *  

After leaving the Roycroft, Mr. Varley later became the East Aurora Tax Assessor and had his office in the basement of the Roycroft Chapel.  

* Leon Varley, aged 88, interviewed by Edward Vidler, Nov. 21, 1978, Aurora Historical Society. From the book “Talk Less, Listen More,” by the Young Yorkers Club.

- Sue

 

Monday Mottos

Be pleasant until ten o’clock in the morning and the rest of the day will take care of itself.

-   Elbert Hubbard

 

From One Hundred & One Epigrams, According to Elbert Hubbard, published by Roycroft Campus Press, East Aurora, NY. For sale at the Roycroft Copper Shop.

Dictionary Definitions by Elbert Hubbard

A Favorite Definition from -

“The Roycroft Dictionary Concocted by Ali Baba and the Bunch on Rainy Days (1914)”

 

Bohemia: A good place in which to camp, but a very poor place in which to settle down.

 

Monday Mottos

Babies are the dice of destiny.

-   Elbert Hubbard

 

From One Hundred & One Epigrams, According to Elbert Hubbard, published by Roycroft Campus Press, East Aurora, NY. For sale at the Roycroft Copper Shop.

A Roycroft Love for Valentines' Day

Elbert Hubbard and his second wife, Alice, wrote countless letters to one another and saved many of them. Elbert’s son “Bert” inherited the letters and allowed author Charles F. Hamilton access to these as well as permission to use many in his book, “As Bees in Honey Drown,” which follows the development of Elbert and Alice's relationship.

 

Many of the earlier letters are dominated by discussions of his manuscripts with passionate thoughts periodically bursting through. The following from Alice to Elbert is such an expression following many paragraphs of manuscript critique: “But I won’t write more tonight for this longing heart wants only you. Take me, press me to your breast and I shall be nourished and assured. O, the greatness of love.”

 

Elbert, as always, used more words to express himself and, in this case, ends up using the moment for self commentary: “I think of you and wonder why I love you. I have been endeavoring to formulate the reason and can only do so negatively. For your charm for me lies not on the features of your loving face, nor in the tall, agile, graceful figure, nor in the varieties of expression that play across your face, nor in your wit and words of wisdom. . ., but it seems to be that there in your soul for me is perfect truth and having no guile yourself you attribute none to me, thus I am benefitted and strengthened.”

 

Find out what the secret codes “1,2,3,4” and 79 meant to the lovers by reading “As Bees in Honey Drown.” The book is sold at the Roycroft Copper Shop. Please purchase it there so you will be directly supporting the restoration of the Roycroft Campus.

 

- Sue

Monday Mottos

Art is the expression of man’s joy in his work.

-   Elbert Hubbard

 

From One Hundred & One Epigrams, According to Elbert Hubbard, published by Roycroft Campus Press, East Aurora, NY. For sale at the Roycroft Copper Shop.

Arts & Crafts Conferences

Soon thousands of Arts & Crafts devotees will be making their way to Asheville, North Carolina for the February Arts & Crafts Conference at the Grove Park Inn.

 

In 1912 the Roycrofters of East Aurora received a large commission for over 700 lighting and 700 furniture pieces for the Grove Park Inn. Fred Seely, one of the developers for the project, was a Roycroft fan, who personally owned Roycroft furniture and lobbied for purchasing all Roycroft furnishings for the Inn. The East Aurora shops could not handle such a large order, so they elected to do the public space furniture only.

 

Today, massive Roycroft grandfather clocks continue to stand guard in the main lobby and enormous Roycroft chandeliers hang overhead.

 

To all A&C fans attending Asheville’s conference: The Roycroft Inn, the Roycroft Campus Corporation and all of East Aurora will be hosting a fall Arts & Crafts Conference in East Aurora October 18-21, 2012. So save the date and come visit this National Historic Landmark Campus of the most successful Arts & Crafts community in the United States. A “Well-Crafted Weekend” awaits.

 

- Sue

Monday Mottos

Art is not a thing: it is a way.

-   Elbert Hubbard

 

From One Hundred & One Epigrams, According to Elbert Hubbard, published by Roycroft Campus Press, East Aurora, NY. For sale at the Roycroft Copper Shop.