RoycroftCampusCorporation

The Roycroft Mark

    The original Roycroft mark:  a cross and orb, was first found by Harry Taber (of the Pendennis Press) in a book of printers’ marks published by Scribners circa 1894. It was an early Venetian printer’s mark that Harry adopted and added the “R” for “Roycroft.” 

     Of course once Elbert Hubbard owned the name and mark, he added his own characteristic flourishes to the story, saying Roycroft meant “royal craft” or, “fit for a king.” He also said he had taken the mark from a book printed in Venice in 1472 and explained “the circle stands for eternity; the upright device means progenity; the bar across  the circle symbols prohibition; and the double cross is a Dagonic device.” 

     Hubbard copyrighted his version of the mark in 1906 for use on “Chairs, Settees, Bookcases, Tables, Cabinets, Music-Cabinets, Desks, Couches, Sideboards, Stools, Beds, Dressers, Cradles, Stands, Taborets, Pillows, Picture Frames.” It was very unusual at this time for a mark to be placed prominently on printed works or objects such as furniture. But Elbert saw the commercial benefit of displaying the mark and used it everywhere.

     As you may have noticed, the Roycroft mark is very similar to the Nabisco Brand trademark, being developed and advertised by that company around the same time. Nabisco wanted Roycroft to cease using the mark, but they came to an agreement, with Elbert often quoted as saying, “if you agree not to print books, we agree not to make biscuits.”

- Sue

 

What is the Roycroft?

The original Roycroft Campus was described by Felix Shay in 1908 as “one-third business establishment, one-third university, and one-third horse ranch, with just a touch of the monastic.” Harry Kemp, a tramp poet, told of “an atmosphere of good-natured greeting and raillery, that sped from table to table. And when (Hubbard) strode in, with his bold, swinging gait, there was cheering and clapping. Guests and workers joined together in the same dining hall, with no distinctive division.” *

 

I would say that today’s Roycroft Campus is a similar happy amalgam of identities. Restoration, education, artisan gift shop, entertainment, good food, and good people all sheltered by handsome architecture make for an inviting and unforgettable Campus. 

 

Come see it for yourself.

 

• Sue

 

*Quotes found in the book, Art & Glory: The Story of Elbert Hubbard by Freeman Champney.  

The Fra & FLW?

I am always trying to find hard evidence that Frank Lloyd Wright and Elbert Hubbard actually met. Not hearsay, not conjecture, and definitely evidence other than that provided by Fra Elbertus - as his penchant for embroidering and embellishing leaves his “statements” hazy “truths,” at best. So, while re-reading the book “John D. Larkin, A Business Pioneer” by Daniel I. Larkin, I was pleased to find noted that Elbert’s sister, Frances, also known to many as “Frank,” and wife of John D. Larkin, did entertain FLW at her home, Glencaim Hall, in Canada. 

 

Frances (Frank) Larkin had installed a Japanese Garden at Glencaim Hall, complete with a tea house, in the summer of 1905. In October of that year, Wright and “his wife, just back from Japan, came to Glencaim, and the architect announced the tea house and garden a great success much to Frank’s delight” (page 123). Of course, FLW and the Larkins would have met and socialized since Wright was the architect for the new Larkin Soap Company Administration building in Buffalo, New York.  

 

However, this incident does not mean that FLW met Frank Larkin’s brother, Elbert. Chances are, at this time, Elbert was still “in the dog house,” as his divorce from Bertha and marriage to his mistress was still relatively recent - December 1903 and January 1904, respectively. Mr. & Mrs. Larkin were quite displeased with Elbert for this and other reasons, so he would not have been at that soiree with FLW in the Japanese garden.   

 

I’ll keep looking for the FLW - EH connection...

 

- Sue

 

Myth Busting - Hubbard Did Not Meet William Morris

Many Roycroft followers believe Elbert Hubbard met William Morris - often referred to as the Father of the Arts & Crafts Movement - on Elbert’s first trip to Europe in 1894. This is not surprising as Hubbard himself was the one that started the myth. But conflicting stories are always the first clue that this was likely a marketing ploy of Hubbard's.

Paul McKenna, in his book “A History & Bibliography of the Roycroft Printing Shop” (1996), puts this myth to rest as he relates what “Bert” (Elbert Hubbard II) wrote (in “Impressions”) about his visit to Kelmscott Press with his father in 1896: they visited Morris’ residence and Hammersmith shop on Tuesday, June 30, 1896. They had a tour, and saw sheets of a work in progress (Chaucer), but did not meet Morris as he was ill and not receiving guests.

Further evidence that Morris and Hubbard did not meet is in May Morris’ insistent denial of any such meeting. William Whitla, a William Morris scholar, was the keynote speaker at the 2007 Roycroft Campus Arts & Crafts Conference, and related May Morris’ vehement denial that Hubbard ever met her father. She referred to Elbert as that “obnoxious imitator”. 

There is no doubt, however, that Elbert was sufficiently impressed with Kelmscott that he was inspired to continue in his writing profession with a goal to create an American version of Morris’ enterprise. In this, he succeeded, and the buildings stand today; inspiring us to restore them and continue the Roycroft Renaissance. See the Power House building being rebuilt on the RCC FaceBook page!

- Sue

Roycroft Myth Busting, "It is that snooty art place"

Often, friends of the Roycroft encounter people less familiar with the American Arts & Crafts Movement who only have vague notions of the place and its history. 

Here is one highly inaccurate perception/myth about the Roycroft and it pains me to have to write this: "It is that snooty art place."

         Correction to this mis-conception: "Snooty" is the last word I would use for the artists and craftsmen that teach classes and sell their wares in the Copper Shop. The RCC staff, artists and artisans that teach classes and/or show their work are very open and interested in talking with visitors. They have a passion for the American Arts and Crafts Movement and its philosophy of art inspired by nature that is accessible to everyone. You will find many people who are interested in history here, but just ask them a question and you will find them happy to share their passion with you. So much of what was done on this campus 100 years ago is very relevant today. 

          Roycroft Campus walking tours are a pleasant, informal way to learn more about this Arts and Crafts Campus of the early 1900‘s which was known for hand illuminated, hand bound books, oak furniture and hammered copper decorative objects. Tours are $10 per person and are given Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons (June-October) at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Please call 716-655-0261 for a reservation.

         Read more about the Roycroft using the subject list to the right of this blog, or go to the Roycroft Campus Copper Shop to purchase books and the WNED film about the man and the place. And please, don't call us "snooty".

      - Sue

Roycroft Myth Busting, "It was a Commune"

Often, friends of the Roycroft encounter people less familiar with the American Arts & Crafts Movement who only have vague notions of the place and its history. 

Here is one local myth: It was a commune.

Correction to this mis-conception:  The enterprise never was a commune. It was a printing business which also manufactured furniture and decorative art objects in the Arts and Crafts style. People came from all over to work here, as well as local young people that grew up on farms outside of East Aurora, NY. Employees enjoyed many perks: lectures and performances from visiting guests, a library to borrow books from, a bank in the Copper Shop, and a Roycroft band and baseball team. All of this was highly unusual in a small, rural town of the early 1900’s so the rumor persisted that it was a “commune” because many didn’t understand  it. 

Read more about the Roycroft using the subject list to the right of this blog, or go to the Roycroft Campus Copper Shop to purchase books and the WNED film about the man and the place.

      - Sue