Ashland Brewing Co.
Ashland, WI
The 'Stock' Exchange
The Meek Co.: No. 83 Flock of Cranes
The Meek Co.: No. 83 Flock of Cranes
Date: 1907 - 1909
Size: 17.25" x 12.25"
Type: Plate
Scarcity: Extremely Rare
Value: $$$$ to $$$$$
Condition & Brewer Dependent
Size: 17.25" x 12.25"
Type: Plate
Scarcity: Extremely Rare
Value: $$$$ to $$$$$
Condition & Brewer Dependent
General
No. 83 continues the “Japaned” faux lacquerware look introduced with No. 59, (Japanese Storks), although it is less elaborate in terms of design with a simple group of cranes taking flight. The individual cranes are simply rendered (shapes almost) and lack the multi-colored iridescence of the storks on No. 59, although there is just enough color to identify them as red-crowned cranes. It is the second of four “japaned” designs in the catalog from Meek/American Art Works.
Red-crowned cranes, also called the Manchurian crane is a large Asian crane and the rarest type of crane in the world. In some parts of its range, it is known as a symbol of luck, longevity, and fidelity. Although primarily occurring in China, there are resident populations in northern Japan. Given their scarcity and limited range in Japan it is surprising to discover they feature in a considerable amount of traditional Japanese art. The crane also has been used on Japanese currency (particularly the 1000 yen note) and is the international logo of Japan Airlines. This is because it is a symbol of good luck, happiness, hope, peace, and longevity.
No. 83 continues the “Japaned” faux lacquerware look introduced with No. 59, (Japanese Storks), although it is less elaborate in terms of design with a simple group of cranes taking flight. The individual cranes are simply rendered (shapes almost) and lack the multi-colored iridescence of the storks on No. 59, although there is just enough color to identify them as red-crowned cranes. It is the second of four “japaned” designs in the catalog from Meek/American Art Works.
Red-crowned cranes, also called the Manchurian crane is a large Asian crane and the rarest type of crane in the world. In some parts of its range, it is known as a symbol of luck, longevity, and fidelity. Although primarily occurring in China, there are resident populations in northern Japan. Given their scarcity and limited range in Japan it is surprising to discover they feature in a considerable amount of traditional Japanese art. The crane also has been used on Japanese currency (particularly the 1000 yen note) and is the international logo of Japan Airlines. This is because it is a symbol of good luck, happiness, hope, peace, and longevity.
Confirmed Brewer used Stock Trays
Non-Beer Related & Non-Tray Uses
Click the Picture to Return to Meek & Beach Stock Catalog Page
Red-Crowned Crane
Cranes in Japanese Art
This is one of the simpler designs in the Tuscarora/M&B/Meek/American Art Works catalog and one wonders how few printings were required to produce it. Perhaps this simplicity explains it scarcity—since it looked so basic, it didn’t appeal to advertisers because it seemed “cheap” compared to previous designs. For the most part, stock designs were targeted to smaller concerns (both brewers and non-brewers) who couldn’t afford the cost of a custom design, but still wanted something eye-catching and impressive.
Adolph Sahling Workbooks
It is not a design that Sahling lists in his workbook.
This design actually surprised us; we had never encountered one in over 25 years of observing stock trays until one appeared on eBay in 2021. And then a collector revealed another example, also by the same brewery (Ashland) shortly after the auction closed.
Size, Shape and Advertising Placement
To date we’ve only seen two examples of this design, both trays for the same brewery, so we cannot say with confidence that it does not come in any other size/shape or as a sign; however, we suspect that this is the only size/shape produced. We can only confirm that the two we’ve seen are oblongs of the size and dimensions that all oblongs are from Tuscarora through Meek. Advertising text appears in gold on the rim.
Hager & Price
Hager neither discusses this design nor includes it in his catalog; most likely because he never encountered an example. We only captured pricing for the one instance of the tray which was fairly robust (mid-triple figures) given the fair to good condition it was in.
Adolph Sahling Workbooks
It is not a design that Sahling lists in his workbook.
This design actually surprised us; we had never encountered one in over 25 years of observing stock trays until one appeared on eBay in 2021. And then a collector revealed another example, also by the same brewery (Ashland) shortly after the auction closed.
Size, Shape and Advertising Placement
To date we’ve only seen two examples of this design, both trays for the same brewery, so we cannot say with confidence that it does not come in any other size/shape or as a sign; however, we suspect that this is the only size/shape produced. We can only confirm that the two we’ve seen are oblongs of the size and dimensions that all oblongs are from Tuscarora through Meek. Advertising text appears in gold on the rim.
Hager & Price
Hager neither discusses this design nor includes it in his catalog; most likely because he never encountered an example. We only captured pricing for the one instance of the tray which was fairly robust (mid-triple figures) given the fair to good condition it was in.
