Try the following:

Astral Press, reprint of "Dover Stamping Co. 1869 Illustrated Catalog" shows
a crumb tray & brush.
Maybe these would help: Harvey Green, The Light of the Home, Strong Museum,
Rochester, NY
Susan Strasser, "Never Done: A History of American Housework"

The Smithsonian staff, American history museum
Henry Francis DuPont Winterthur Museum, Wilmington, Delaware, curatorial
staff

One possible theory is that as dining in 19th cent. America grew to be an
increasingly elaborate affair, for those who could afford it, the crumb tray
became more important.

Nancy Powell

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jean Burks" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, May 10, 2004 6:55 PM
Subject: Can anyone help with Crumb Trays


> We have acquired a wonderful group of base metal and plated crumb trays
> (art nouveau-art deco in style) that were collected in Europe. We have
> been trying to research the origin of the form with no success with
> written literature, on-line searches, auction houses/dealers, or
> collectors' groups. We have found late 19th century American
> catalogues which list crumb trays produced by the dozens for hotel use
> but no information prior to this.
>
> Can anyone help us document the history of crumb trays, approximate
> date/place of origin (European or American) and original usage (upper or
> middle class homes)?
>
> If you have any information or can direct us to knowledgeable sources
> we would be most appreciative if you could contact me off-line.
>
> Many thanks
> Jean Burks
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
> Jean Burks
>
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