The piano lamp is back in place, bringing a warm glow to the living room. It had been removed as part of a massive structural engineering project begun in January of 2011 but was returned to its rightful place today.

Member and friend Michael Lehr purchased it from someone who originally bought it 20-30 years ago in New Jersey. “It might be the one from The Farms, but I am not sure.”Michael says, “I knew when I purchased it, there were only two or three known examples. If I didn’t arrange for The Farms to have this one, they would probably never get one.” So he donated it to The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms nearly nine years ago.

The chandelier had been neglected over the decades and was missing its canopy and chain, and was also missing any lighting components (oil font). The patina was in poor condition with corrosion on copper as well as an overall dullness. The iron hooks and banding were rusty. The material used for the panels had been replaced with a paper material that did not allow any light through the cut-outs. There were not very many lengths of the small decorative chain hanging around the fixture. And of course, it was a bit out of shape and no longer really round. The chandelier was sent to Aurora Studios in the fall of 2002 for a complete restoration. The good news was that the patina could be restored. Often, original patinas are either long gone (sometimes polished) or irreversibly damaged. Dawn Hopkins and Michael Adams of Aurora Studios were able to remove the corrosion, enhance the original patina and restore the iron work. The main problem was the missing canopy. Because the fixture hung from around log, the curve appeared to be accommodated with what they referred to as a “can” with a more typical Gustav canopy attached to it. They visited the Farms and did some profile measurements to properly fit the canopy to the log and then fabricated a canopy with a similar “can” shape.

They had one rather fuzzy photograph of the original piano fixture for reference. Fortunately, there were other references to use to fabricate the proper chain the fixture hung from and the small decorative chain around the perimeter of the fixture. They replicated the original Gustav hardware that attaches the chain to the canopy and also made new panels of mica to finish the main body of the fixture.

There was one more delay in the Farms receiving the fixture. It languished at the studio for some time waiting for an original oil font to be found. Although there were many people looking for one, it did not materialize. The decision was made for the studio to fabricate a hammered wiring assembly that would mimic a font with the glass hurricane. At last, when the lamp was ready, Board member Dave Rudd picked it up from the studio and then drove more than four hours to personally assure its safe delivery to the Museum, where it was installed in the winter of 2009.

During the recent structural repairs on the staircase and foundation the lamp was removed and carefully stored in the collection room. After nine months it has now been reinstalled in its place of honor over the piano where it graces the living room with its cozy glow.

If you’d like to learn more about it, be sure to be here on Sunday, October 16, when Dawn Hopkins and Michael Adams will be here to answer questions and demonstrate their craft as part of Catch the Spark weekend.

Piano Lamp is Back in Place is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms

View of North Cottage interior

In addition to enjoying the lovely brunch, you will have the opportunity to mingle with other like minded-souls who appreciate the simple beauty of the Craftsman bungalow style.  Wander through at your own pace exploring one of the first structures built at Craftsman Farms.  Enjoy the charming furnishings, including the Wiley collection.  This grouping of nine period pieces was donated by Stephen Wiley in 2009 and includes Stickley settle #208, Stickley Morris chair #369; Stickley stool #300; Stickley library table #615; Stickley bookcase #718; two Stickley 1/2 v-back arm chairs #354; an L&JG table #599; and an L&JG table #558.

View of North Cottage interior

The cottage has recently undergone an interior refurbishment as well as a complete restoration of the red slate roof, copper gutters and downspouts, rafter tails, and reinstallation of the original Ludowici roof ridge tiles.  Fundraising is now underway to restore the original windows, which are currently stored for their protection. 

Due to the need to protect the cottage from wear and tear, only a limited number of tickets are available.

Purchase tickets here:

Non-Members $35.00 Members $25.00

A Unique Opportunity: Brunch in the North Cottage! is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms

L & J G Stickley's Corporate Historian Mike Danial

L. & J. G. Stickley’s corporate historian, Mike Danial, will speak at our Forging Ahead Forum on October 15.  Using turn-of-the-century marketing strategies, sales techniques and advertising campaigns as a springboard for discussion, Mike will consider Arts and Crafts as a business from the Stickley brothers to today.

Mike’s firsthand knowledge of his topic is extensive.  He began his career at the L. & J. G. Stickley Furniture Co. in 1974.  In his 37 years at Stickley, he has seen the company grow from 26 employees in 1974 to approximately 1500 employees today.  Mike’s great-uncle, Vinchenzo Mellache worked for Leopold Stickley in the 1940′s-1959.  Mike has worked in every department including Rough Mill, Fine Mill, Sanding, Cabinet Room, and Finishing Department.  He even managed the Customer Service Department. In 1988 he became the project director of the Mission Oak Collection which now accounts for approximately 70% of company sales.   

Today, Mike serves as Stickley’s corporate historian and travels throughout the country lecturing on Stickley Furniture and the American Arts and Crafts movement.  He is also the restoration specialist for the firm’s corporate museum.  When not lecturing, Mike is the author of “Ask Sadie!” the Stickley Answer Desk for the corporate level learning and information systems  He holds a degree in Business Management from New Hampshire College and a degree in Wood Technology from SUNY Morrisville.

The Forging Ahead Forum is a full-day symposium taking place as part of Catch the Spark Weekend, October 15 and 16.

Mike Danial to Present “Marketing the Arts & Crafts of Stickley” is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms

The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms is hosting a Fall Members’ Reception and Book Launch for the new edition of Gustav Stickley’s Craftsman Farms: A Pictorial History, on Saturday, October 24, 4:00 p.m.

This edition was funded by a special project grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission. The book was edited by the noted Stickley scholar, David Cathers, and contains historic photographs, plus commentary reprinted from Stickley’s own magazine, The Craftsman. Numerous experts on Gustav Stickley and the Arts and Crafts movement have contributed original essays. This edition also features an entirely new essay by Mark Alan Hewitt which sets the history of Craftsman Farms in the context of New Jersey history and a new essay by Dr. Robert Winter which sets the history of the Farms in the broader context of U.S. history.

The reception will also feature a special lecture by Pat Bartinique who will speak on The Story in a New Voice: Music and the Arts and Crafts Movement. Light refreshments will be served and tours of the Log House will be available.

Museum Members are free with RSVP. Non-members ticket price is $12. Please call 973-540-0311 for reservations or further information

Stickley Museum Hosts Book Launch Reception and Lecture is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms

We thought our readers would be interested in the new exhibition, A Spirit of Simplicity: American Arts and Crafts from the Two Red Roses Foundation, which opens at the Flagler Museum on October 6 and runs through January 3.  It was co-curated by Martin Eidelberg, Professor Emeritus at Rutgers University, and Tracy Kamerer, Chief Curator at the Flagler Museum.  The exhibition features nearly 150 objects illustrating the range of American Arts and Crafts style, including furniture, wood block prints, stained glass, decorative tiles, pottery, and metalwork.

Of Note is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms

We are making room for new holiday merchandise in the Museum Shop by holding our largest clearance sale in years. This is your chance to scoop up some favorites at up to 50% off! Sale items include tiles, books, gifts, pottery, note cards, baseball caps, teddy bears, copperware, and much more. Stop in soon because the early bird gets the biggest selection!

This sale runs through September 30 and is in-store only and not in our web shop. Items will return to full-price on October 1. Don’t miss your chance!

Museum Shop Clearance Sale Has Favorites at 50% off! is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms

Can’t make it to the October 3^rd gala and auction?  Or attending but want to plan your auction strategy in advance? Check out the Stickley Museum auction to browse and bid online!

Check back often. New items are added approximately twice a week. All proceeds benefit the restoration and educational programs of The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms.

Our October Auction Is Online Now! is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms

As many of you know, The Craftsman Farms Foundation will be celebrating its 20^th anniversary with a black tie fundraising gala, entitled the Celebration Ball,  at the Mountain Lakes Club on Saturday, October 3.  The Honorary Co-Chairs include CFF founding member and US Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen; NJ Senator Richard Codey; and California philanthropist, Max Palevsky.  The event will include a live auction led by David Rago, and dancing to the music of Elite Syncopation.

The Museum will produce a commemorative souvenir program in conjunction with the celebration which will contain historic photographic and essays of the past two decades of restoration and preservation of this National Historic Landmark.  The program will be distributed to all attendees, mailed to supporters, and will be included in the Museum’s archives.  A proclamation from the NJ legislature, plus letters of congratulations from Governor Corzine and other dignitaries will also appear in the program.

Would you like to be included in this historic document?  If so, you can submit a booster ad (Click for details on sizes and costs, and an order form) with your congratulations on this occasion of the 20^th anniversary, or with a tribute to an individual who had an impact on saving or revitalizing Craftsman Farms or the Museum, or with a reminiscence, or a special thought you have about this historic occasion.  We would be happy to lay out and design your text, or you may submit a finished design in digital format.  Please let us know if you’d like sample wording or if we can answer any questions for you.

Hope you will be a part of this joyous celebration!

Be Part of the History! is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms

We thought our readers would be interested to know that Elaine Hirschl Ellis of Arts & Crafts Tours has just reduced the prices of three 2009  English Arts & Crafts Tours:

Far From the Crowd: Retreats of Royalty, Writers and Artists in Kent, Sussex and the Isle of Wight is scheduled for May 9 – 17,  was originally $5,982 and is now $5,088;

J.W. Waterhouse: A Pre-Raphaelite’s London is scheduled for September 6 – 13, was originally $5,266 and is now $4,420;

MOBIA Benefactor’s Weekend in London is scheduled for October 16 – 20, was originally $4,977 and is now $3,746.

Elaine says they are mindful of the current economic situation and hope that the new prices will make these unique, small group, highly personalized tours more affordable and entice you to join us of one of these exceptional trips.

Full details on all of their wonderful tours are available on their website: www.artsandcraftstours.com; just click on Custom Tours and follow the links.  You may want to contact them directly  at artsandcraftstours@gmail.com to ensure you have the most recent details.

News On The Arts&Crafts Tours is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms

We’re in the living room today, looking at the inlaid piano, although there is also a Stickley piano upstairs in the girls’ bedroom.

Inlaid Piano
Dimensions: 62 1/2″ W x 57″ H x 29″ D
Materials: Oak with inlays of pewter, oak and tinted woods
Works: Serial number 37370. Works manufactured by the Everett Piano Company, Boston
Inlay panels and marquetry band: Made by the firm of George H. Jones, New York City
Date: ca. 1905 – 1906
Unmarked
Designer: Harvey Ellis
Gift by Paul Fiore to The Craftsman Farms Foundation.

Apparently the first piano built by Stickley’s firm was the one photographed for the October 1903 issue of The Craftsman. Certainly designed by Harvey Ellis, it had an elegant rectilinear case of dark fumed oak. The flat surface above the keyboard had a central music rack flanked by inlaid rectangular panels.

These decorative panels consisted of a stylized plant stem rising through an oval motif and terminating in a bright spot of color, a “blossom.” The blossom was placed within a small rectangle bisected by a line of string inlay that formed a larger rectangle; this is a visually satisfying unifying motif, with the two inlaid rectangles repeating the shape of the panels they are set into. The surface below the keyboard was a gridded panel. Its horizontal and vertical lines were echoed in the laths of the music rack as well as in the rectangular decorative channels cut into the front and sides of the case. At the top of the case, there was a shaped and beveled cornice surmounting a line of applied dentil molding.

Stickley took this first piano home to his Columbus Avenue house, and later, when the family left Syracuse to move to New Jersey, it went into the girls’ bedroom at Craftsman Farms. It was inherited by his second daughter, Mildred, and remains with her descendants. This piano has eighty-five keys and two pedals, and its work are by Carl Rhönisch, a German firm that also manufactured works for pianos designed by M. H. Baillie Scott. A replica of this piano case, made in 2003 by Mitchell Andrus is now in the girls’ bedroom.

The piano originally in the log house living room is now lost, though it was similar to other Craftsman pianos now known. They have eighty-eight keys, three pedals, and works made either by Vose & Son, Boston, or, like the present example, by the Everett Piano Company. The cases of these pianos are slightly different from the first piano. Instead of a separate music rack, for instance, they have a gridded panel above the keyboard, and their feet are made of heavier, more substantial boards. These minimum variations aside, the cases remained essentially unchanged for the remaining ten or so years that inlaid Craftsman pianos were made. Including the piano now at Craftsman Farms, there are perhaps six examples of this rare model known today.

Though The Craftsman magazine often published Craftsman interiors that included the firm’s pianos, Stickley’s catalogs rarely showed them. A drawing of a Craftsman piano appeared in the booklet “Chips from the Craftsman Workshops” (1907), and photographs were published in the catalogs “Some Chips from the Craftsman Workshops” (1909) and “Craftsman Furnishings for the Home (1912). The promotional copy in these two catalogs sheds light on the rarity of Craftsman pianos today. According to the 1909 catalog: “We have one of the pianos on exhibition in our New York showrooms and one in Boston, and will gladly furnish by mail any particulars concerning them.” This is evidence that the firm made samples for retail display and did not keep pianos in stock. The 1912 catalog offered the piano without inlay, saying, “we find that many people do not wish to buy a piano as expensive as our original design, and others would prefer the piano case simpler, without the decorative inlay in wood.” The price of the piano without inlay was $450 and the inlaid version – its price not given in either catalog – would have sold for more. $450 amounted to a considerable outlay in an era when many middle class families were living on incomes of about $1,000 to $1,500 a year. With or without inlay, the handsome Craftsman piano was evidently too high-priced for Stickley’s middle-class customers and it is likely that few were made.

The Collection: Living Room is a post from The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms