Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2024.FIC.045 |
Object Name |
Embosser |
Title |
Wenczel Tile Company Embosser |
Description |
The embosser is black and half-circular in shape, with the base slightly longer than the rest of the device. On the right side, there are two plates: a gold plate positioned above a silver plate, with a slight gap between them. Both plates display the same Wenzcel Tile logo, with the difference being that the gold plate has the logo engraved, while the silver plate has it embossed. The logo is oval-shaped and contains the inscription, "WENZCEL TILE CO. INCORPORATED 1931. TRENTON, N.J." At the top of the embosser, there is a long lever that curves slightly near the top. When the lever is pressed down, the gold plate pushes onto the silver plate, embossing the item. The embosser has two holes on the bottom: one oval-shaped hole on the left side, which reveals the inside of the embosser, and one circular hole on the right side, partially covered by a silver metal plate. The embosser comes with a piece of paper that features an embossed Wenzcel Tile Company logo, presumably created using the embosser. According to Doc's Crocks and Best Tile, Wenzcel Tile Company was a ceramic tile manufacturer in Trenton, New Jersey, founded in 1931. In 1939 or 1940, the company acquired Trent Tile Company and expanded into making art pottery in addition to tiles. In 1956, Wenzcel partnered with Marcus Tile to form Standard Tile Distributors. The company eventually closed sometime during the late 20th or early 21st century. Citations: Our Story. Best Tile: Porcelain & Ceramic Tile Store. (n.d.). https://besttile.com/our-story#:~:text=How%20did%20we%20begin?,York%2C%20naming%20it%20Best%20Tile. Wenczel Tile Company, Trenton, N.J., Blue and White Spongeware Vase #7875. Doc’s Crocks. (n.d.). https://www.docscrocks.com/product-page/wenczel-tile-company-trenton-n-j-blue-and-white-spongeware-vase-7875#:~:text=Coming%20to%20you%20from%20Doc’s,%2Dboxed%2C%20insured%2C%20and%20FREE |
Date |
Mid-20th Century (Likely) |
Material |
Metal |
Artist |
Unknown |
Height (in) |
10.000 |
Length (in) |
6.000 |
Width (in) |
1.750 |
Condition |
Okay |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Corrosion and paint cracking throughout. Front: There is paint cracking throughout. Some of the gold paint is faded. And finally, there is corrosion on the gold plate. Right Side: There is paint cracking throughout. Also, there is corrosion on the gold plate. Back: There is paint cracking throughout. Some of the gold paint is faded. And finally, there is corrosion on the gold plate. Left Side: There is paint cracking throughout. Top: There is paint cracking throughout. Bottom: There is wear around the edges. |
Inscription Type |
Manufacturer's Mark |
Inscription Location |
Gold-Silver, Top-Bottom, Left-Right |
Inscription Technique |
Etched |
Inscription Text |
"WENZCEL TILE CO." Line 1 "INCORPORATE" Line 2 "1931" Line 3 "TRENTON, N.J." Line 4 |
Classification |
Business & Commerce |
Subjects |
Ceramic Industry Seals (Insignia) Metals |
Search Terms |
Wenzcel Tile Company 20th Century 1931 Trenton New Jersey NJ Embosser Gold Silver Black Standard Tile Distributors Tiles Ceramic Embossed Engraved Seal Wenczel Tile Company Embosser |
Provenance |
Found in collection |