FRETWORK IN AMERICAA History of the Art

1876 Sorrento Inlaid Work, By Arthur HopeA Manual of Sorrento and Inlaid Work for Amatures, with Original Designs. By Arthur Hope. Chicago: John Wilkinson, Publisher 1876. Copyright 1876 by John Wilkinson. Knight & Leonard, Printers, Chicago.PrefaceThe author says he began his first rude attempts at scroll-sawing 20 years previous (1856). He did this with a roughly whittled saw-frame fitted with a blade made of watch-spring, its teeth laboriously cut with a common file. Since then (1856) he has seen the growth of the art in America advance, stimulated by the introduction of beautiful articles of fret-cutting from Germany, and inlaid work from France and Italy.Within the last four years (1872-1876) much aided by the invention of the treadle machines, a scroll-sawing fever has swept over the country.

ARTHUR HOPE New York, November, 1876.

AdvertisementsTrump Bros. of Wilmington, Deleware – The Fleetwood Scroll Saw

(A Treadle operated saw on a stand.) Claims 5000 of these saws have been sold.

- The Dexter MachinePatented October 1876(A Treadle saw without frame for wall mtg.)

George W. Read & Co, Nos. 186 thru 200 Lewis Street, New YorkWholesale dealers of fancy woods, Hardwood lumber & veneers.

1880The Fret Sawyers Monthly Home Decorator, Copyrighted 1880, Entered at New York PostOffice as Second Class Matter. Adams & Bishop, Publishers, Box 2456, 46 Beekman St., N.Y.Vol. II. New York, March, 1881. No. 3.40 pages, 5-3/4 x 9-1/8Contents: A mixture of scroll sawing pattern advertisements and articles including some

full size patterns. Also an article and instructions for embroidery. Explanations of Patterns and Hints for Scroll-Sawyers. By William Wild

Advertisements of interestAdams & Bishop 1,700 illustrations of the finest Fret PatternsJas. T. Pratt & Co. 53 Fulton & 42 Cliff Sts, New York, Headquarters for Fleetwood,

Dexter, and other Scroll Saws.Patterns advertisedNo. 55 Cabinet and Writing Desk, Size 52 x 24 x 20.No. 827 Bracket 10 x 14 Farm Scene -- by A.H. Pomeroy, Hartford, Conn.Nos. 10-11, Cabinet, Size 21-1/2 x 23 in.No. 24 Window Box, Size 30 x 13 in.No. 26 Clover Leaf Stand, Size 22 x 29 in.No. 25 Hat Rack, Size 40 x 25 inchesNo. 56 Fire Screen, Size 28 x 45 in.No. 54 Cabinet Etagere, Size 11 x 34 x 48 in.

1880 ca. RUSSELL’S Scroll Saw Designs. Published for Tallman & McFadden, 607 Market St.,

Philadelphia, PA. E.L. Freeman & Co., Printers, Central Falls, R.I.1 large sheet quarter folded to 9-1/2 x 12 (8 Pages, one blank.) Not dated, lists 239 scroll saw patterns

1884-85

A Complete List in Miniature of RUSSELL’S World Renowned SCROLL SAW DESIGNS. Published by Millers Falls Company, No 93 Reade Street, New York. 8 pages containing 303 scroll saw designs, 9-1/4 x 11-3/4

1916Schroeter’s revised and improved Scroll Saw Designs in miniature. Woods and Veneers for Scroll Saw Work, Machines for Scroll Saw Work, Lathes for Wood Turning, Bracket saw frames for Scroll Saw Work, Moulding for Scroll Saw Work, Fancy Hinges and Catches for Scroll Saw Work, ETC.Published By Schroeter Bros. Hardware Co. 717 and 719 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, Mo.

U.S.A. Revised Edition, No. 2-1916. 64 pagesThis Catalog has 213 fretwork patterns, Saws & other hardware for fretsawing.Of Interest: 21 patterns are specifically identified as “Wilds”#251 Wilds “Merry Christmas”#721B Wilds no title but is a Mandolin with birds & floral on a plaque#18 Wilds “Ladies Work Box”#65 Wilds “Glove Box”#56 Wilds “Glove Box”#335 Wilds “Knife Tray”#552B Wilds “Phoebus Towel Rack”#42 Wilds “Ladies Glove Box”#252 Wilds “Handkerchief Box”#259 Wilds “Oak Leaf Glove Box”#253 Wilds “Glove Box#345R Wilds “Wispbroom Holder”#752 Wilds “Card, Tea or Work Table”#57B Wilds “Music Stand”#76B Wilds “Queen Anne Toilet Box”#664B Wilds “Mantle Clock”#607B Wilds “Grandfathers Clock”#553B Wilds “Mantle Clock”#217R Wilds “Cathedrol Clock Case#218R Wilds “Cuckoo Clock Case”#575B Wilds “Chimes of Normandy Clock”

HISTORY OF SPECIAL PATTERNS

Farm Scene Wall Bracket1881 – Pattern #827 advertised by A.H. Pomeroy, Hartford, Conn.

In “The Fret Sawyers Monthly Home Decorator”

Card, Tea or Work Table1916 – Wilds Pattern #752, advertised in Schroeter’s Bros. Hardware Co. Catalog, St. Louis, Mo.1998 – Pattern #1236, Tea Table, advertised in Wildwood Designs, Inc., Richland Center, WI

Chimes of Normandy Clock1916 – Wilds Pattern #575B, advertised in Schroeter’s Bros. Hardware Co. Catalog, St. Louis, Mo.2003 – Pattern #1177, advertised in Wildwood Designs, Inc., Richland Center, WI

Cathedral Clock Case1884-5 Pattern #217, advertised in Russels Scroll Saw Designs, Miller Falls Co, New York1916 – Wilds Pattern #217R, advertised in Schroeter’s Bros. Hardware Co. Catalog, St. Louis, Mo.1998 – Pattern #1430 (Heidelberg Clock), advertised in Wildwood Designs, Inc., Richland Center, WI

Cuckoo Clock Case1884-5 – Pattern #218, advertised in Russels Scroll Saw Designs, Miller Falls Co, New York1916 – Wilds Pattern #218R, advertised in Schroeter’s Bros. Hardware Co. Catalog, St. Louis, Mo.

Corner Cabinet1884-5 – Pattern #27, advertised in Schroeter’s Bros. Hardware Co. Catalog, St. Louis, Mo.1998 – Pattern #1433, advertised in Wildwood Designs, Inc., Richland Center, WI

Swinging In The Lane1916 – Pattern #479, advertised in Schroeter’s Bros. Hardware Co. Catalog, St. Louis, Mo.1998 – Pattern #1186, advertised in Wildwood Designs, Inc., Richland Center, WI

Arsenal Clock1931 – Pattern #187, advertised in H.L. Wild catalog.2003 – Pattern #1171, advertised in Wildwood Designs, Inc., Richland Center, WI

The Grand Columbian Clock1931 – Pattern #224, advertised in H.L. Wild catalog.2003 – Pattern #1178, advertised in Wildwood Designs, Inc., Richland Center, WI