The 'Stock' Exchange
Meek & Beach Co. No. 18 (speculative) White Swans
Meek & Beach Co. No. 18 (speculative) White Swans
Date: 1901 - 1904
Size: 16.5" x 13.5"
Type: Inverted Pie
Scarcity: Scarce
Value: $$$ to $$$$
Condition & Brewer Dependent
Size: 16.5" x 13.5"
Type: Inverted Pie
Scarcity: Scarce
Value: $$$ to $$$$
Condition & Brewer Dependent
Springfield Roller Mill Co.
Springfield, MN
Springfield Roller Mill Co.
Springfield, MN
Apparently this design did not resonate with brewers of the time, as we have yet to find a brewery example—or even anything other than the ones from Springfield Roller Milling Co. of Springfield, MN for their White Swan Flour. Still we are inclined to believe this is, or was intended to be a stock design. The drape rim is a give-away as we’ve only seen it on stock trays, and the design is general enough that it should have appealed to at least a few merchants and small manufacturers who were still a primary target market at this time.
This design likely pre-dates Sahling’s active involvement in the metal division of Meek & Beach art department. In his earlier years he primarily seemed to do art work for paper lithography and there is no entry in his journal that would correspond with this design.
Shape & Rim & Ad Text
Every example we’ve seen of this design have been oval (standard size) with a red “drape” rim. None have had advertising text on the front, only on the reverse side. Since the only examples we’ve seen have been from Springfield Milling for White Swan Flour, we don’t know if this was by design or simply a choice by Springfield Milling.
Hager & Price
Hager includes this design in the main body of his article where he notes that it is “another example of a drape rim” which likely makes it an early design with a stock number lower than 30, but then does not include it in his catalog of stock designs. The only examples we’ve seen with advertising have been for Springfield Roller Milling Co., with even the better examples commanding low 100's.
This design likely pre-dates Sahling’s active involvement in the metal division of Meek & Beach art department. In his earlier years he primarily seemed to do art work for paper lithography and there is no entry in his journal that would correspond with this design.
Shape & Rim & Ad Text
Every example we’ve seen of this design have been oval (standard size) with a red “drape” rim. None have had advertising text on the front, only on the reverse side. Since the only examples we’ve seen have been from Springfield Milling for White Swan Flour, we don’t know if this was by design or simply a choice by Springfield Milling.
Hager & Price
Hager includes this design in the main body of his article where he notes that it is “another example of a drape rim” which likely makes it an early design with a stock number lower than 30, but then does not include it in his catalog of stock designs. The only examples we’ve seen with advertising have been for Springfield Roller Milling Co., with even the better examples commanding low 100's.
Confirmed Brewer used Stock Trays
Non-Beer Related & Non-Tray Uses
Click the Picture to Return to Meek & Beach Stock Catalog Page
General
While this design does not carry any stock number or date (at least in any of the examples we’ve seen), it does bear the hallmarks of early Meek & Beach trays, particularly those produced shortly after the merger of the Tuscarora and Standard companies. Namely, a drape style rim and a thick, segmented yellow band around the image, which seem to have been in use from 1901 to possibly as late as 1904. There are several stock numbers not accounted for in this time period by any of the catalogs or price lists we have access to; it could possibly be No. 15, 18, 19, or anything between 15-29. So for now we will designate it as No. 18.
The image features two swans on what appears to be a slow moving stream with lily pads while the surrounding landscape seems somewhat maintained, almost park-like. We wonder if the intent was to imply a private estate or park, which fits with the upwardly mobile sentiment so often reflected in stock designs of this period. The swan is typically seen as a symbol of wisdom and includes awakening the power of self, balance, grace, inner beauty, innocence, self-esteem, and evolution. In England in particular, it was considered an aristocratic bird and a luxury symbol, there is even a title (that Queen Elizabeth II held) call the Seignuer (French for Lord) of the Swans. All suggesting a “posh” (as our British cousins might say) intention with this design.
While this design does not carry any stock number or date (at least in any of the examples we’ve seen), it does bear the hallmarks of early Meek & Beach trays, particularly those produced shortly after the merger of the Tuscarora and Standard companies. Namely, a drape style rim and a thick, segmented yellow band around the image, which seem to have been in use from 1901 to possibly as late as 1904. There are several stock numbers not accounted for in this time period by any of the catalogs or price lists we have access to; it could possibly be No. 15, 18, 19, or anything between 15-29. So for now we will designate it as No. 18.
The image features two swans on what appears to be a slow moving stream with lily pads while the surrounding landscape seems somewhat maintained, almost park-like. We wonder if the intent was to imply a private estate or park, which fits with the upwardly mobile sentiment so often reflected in stock designs of this period. The swan is typically seen as a symbol of wisdom and includes awakening the power of self, balance, grace, inner beauty, innocence, self-esteem, and evolution. In England in particular, it was considered an aristocratic bird and a luxury symbol, there is even a title (that Queen Elizabeth II held) call the Seignuer (French for Lord) of the Swans. All suggesting a “posh” (as our British cousins might say) intention with this design.
Queen Elizabeth
& Seignuer of the Swans
& Seignuer of the Swans
Springfield Milling Co.
Courtesy of CardCow.com
Courtesy of CardCow.com
