Mountaineer Craftsmen

[aj_houser]

Ok so I have found some information on this group from the Great Depression.  It was apparently and group of craftsmen in West Virginia that organized into a coop to better market their goods.  THe issue is I find lots of reference to their furniture making, but  have not read a thing about their metal work.  I have a plate with their trademark on it, but I can not find anything similar on line.  It is obviously hand made.  You can see the hammer marks.  But does anyone have any more info about this outfit outside of their wood working?  Not even sure what kind of metal this is, yes I did the magnet test and it does not even attempt to stick to it.  So is it silver? I am at a lose.

[talesofthesevenseas]

A found a little info on their Co-Op:

http://www.arthurdaleheritage.org/history/a-cooperative-community/

I would suggest contacting the local historical society in Arthurdale for more info. I bet they would be a great source. Their contact info is on the bottom of this page:
http://www.arthurdaleheritage.org/

[aj_houser]

Update, what are the odds of this being pewter?  I did find a picture from the 1930's of a set of pewter dinner ware produced by one gentleman.  BUT, I can only find reference to 10 sets having been made.  Now I am sure with my luck there were several zeros missing in that number, but still I think I may be getting closer.

[regularjoe2]

Nice little piece of depression-era Americana , aj_houser .

Certainly does not appear to be plated metal .

Sight unseen , I'll guess that your item is hand-worked pewter .

West Virginia + depression era + silver = not so probable .
West Virginia + depression era + pewter = very possible .

I was not aware that there were metal items produced from this group - thanks !

[aj_houser]

Yeah thats my guess its pewter, and I to can find nothing but the one reference to any type of metal work from this group.  I have sent an email to the museum for this community.  I may have actually stumbled upon a quite interesting piece of american history.

[cogar]

I think your plate is pewter because I Googled and found all kind of pictures and info, to wit:

The Arthurdale Unit of the Mountaineer Craftsman Cooperative began in 1935, as a collective of manufacturing concerns which exemplified the trade skills of the homesteaders of Arthurdale. They manufactured furniture, pewter, anealed copper, and woven goods. The cooperative in Arthurdale was an outgrowth of the efforts of the American Friends Service Committee.

http://www.arthurdaleheritage.org/history/a-cooperative-community/mcca-furniture/

[aj_houser]

Got an email response from the Museum.  They are going to have to do some mor research into it for me.  THe trademark is right, and yes they did make pewter, they just didn't make very many pewter plates.  So there in lies the issue.  THey have one in the museum and are not sure that very many more exist today!

[KC]

You may have the only pewter plate!!!!!  I am betting pewter!