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The Popular Morris Chair

The popular Arts & Crafts wooden frame recliner known as either a “Morris” chair or a “Craftsman” chair (Stickley’s version) was actually known as an “adjustable-back chair” in William Morris’ shop.

 

According to Linda Parry, author of William Morris, “Warington Taylor sketched the model for this chair in a letter to Phillip Webb in 1866, having seen it in the workshop of Ephraim Colman, a carpenter in Herstmonceux, Sussex.”

 

The chair became very popular. The design was copied, and the silhouette further simplified in America at various A&C furniture manufacturers, Gustav Stickley and the Roycroft included. The Roycroft also made a double seat version.

 

The photo is of the Roycroft double Morris chair. Source: Head, Heart and Hand by Marie Via and Marjorie B. Searl.

 

In the 1950s the Morris chair was revived and restyled using a frame made of square metal tubing  with a faux wood grain finish and loose cushions upholstered in red vinyl. This modernized Morris chair reminds me of the Virginia Slims ad phrase (of the 1960s), “You’ve come a long way, baby.”

 

- Sue

The little printer that could

Miniature things are so cute, aren't they? 

In the Roycroft Copper Shop there is a tiny printing press on top of a cabinet. I had always thought it was just for decoration but it is a real working printing press. It was used to make prints of small items such as business cards, luggage tags and product labels.

 

Come for a visit to the Cooper Shop and look for it in the front room. We are located at 31 Grove St., East Aurora, NY. The Gallery is open 7 days a week: 10:00am – 5:00pm. 

Julie 

Roycroft made chandelier... sold!

I was recently watching a great antique auction - dreaming that I could buy something. (OK truth be told - I was tracking an eBay auction - not as glamorous but still exciting)

Up to bid was a Roycroft chandelier made for the Grove Park Inn. Here in East Aurora's Roycroft Copper Shop we have it's twin hanging up in the front room.

Here is "ours" :

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Here is the one that sold on eBay from North Carolina:

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The winning bid for the light was - get this - $8,000. WOW!

I was definitely dreaming when I thought I could buy it. If you would like to come and visit the Copper Shop and look up at the Chandelier and dream, be our guest. We love people who dream.

Julie

Roycroft Campus Furniture Inventory

Do you know what makes some original Roycroft Campus furniture more special then others?

The original furniture that was made for use on the Campus and not sold to the public, have an inventory code stamped on them.

Here is an example of a bookcase in the Copper Shop. It has R 084. This meant it was the eighty fourth piece made for the Roycroft Inn. Different buildings have different letter codes.

If you have an original Roycroft piece for furniture, does it have a code on it? The book, Head, Heart and Hand: Elbert Hubbard and the Roycrofters has a list of the codes on page 66.

If you have an original inventory piece, send us a photo. We would love to see it.

Julie

Shopping Stories

Takes One to Know One

     By now you know I'm quite the antique shopper! I always have my eye out for that special something. The Roycroft Campus is the perfect place for people like me.

     Steeped in history, there is the Roycroft Antiques and the fantastic Copper Shop Gallery. On the Roycroft Summer Festival weekend it had even more shopping opportunities! There were booths of Roycroft Renaissance Artists and antiques dealers across the whole Campus!

     I'm not the only one with an eye for treasures!

      Our Roycroft Campus Corporation President, Doug Swift, indulged in opportunity as well! We spotted him examining a vintage chair from a booth right outside the Copper Shop. He stroked his beard, chatted quickly with the dealer and the chair was his! A look of pride on his face, he briskly carried his treasure away!

     The Roycroft Campus is the place to find that perfect thing that makes your heart race. Stop in the Copper Shop Gallery, open 9-5 everyday. You never know what treasure is waiting for you!

Going to Atlantique City Antiques and Collectibles Show? Include the Roycroft on your East Coast Excursion!

The last weekend in March is a big one for collectors!

     The Atlantique City Show will be on March 29-30th in Atlantic City, NJ. This is the world's largest indoor antique show!  The New York Times writes,"The prime weekend for antiques enthusiasts...presented by many of the country's leading dealers...encompasses the breadth of collecting on a grand scale."

     I'll be at the Brimfield show this summer but until then, this is the place to be. Arts and Crafts collecting is still hot and Roycroft is no exception. All things old are worth a look, but our readers will have their eyes tuned for that Roycroft orb!

     For all sorts of treasures with that coveted orb mark, stop by the Roycroft Campus. Those of you driving towards New Jersey will find the detour to East Aurora, NY well worth the trip. Tour intact buildings, shop for antiques and artisan made gifts, and dine at the Roycroft Inn. An antique lovers paradise!

-Amanda