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Kensington ware coffee set

Creation: circa 1935
 Collection
Accession: 2700

Abstract

Lurelle Guild (1898-1985) was an architect, industrial designer, and interior designer. The collection contains a three-piece "Mayfair" coffee set designed by Guild, a coffee pot, creamer, and sugar bowl, manufactured by Wear-Ever Aluminum, a subsidiary of the Aluminum Company of America as part of its Kensington Ware line.

Dates

  • Creation: circa 1935

Creator

Extent

5 item(s)

Biographical Note

Lurelle Guild (1898-1985) was an architect, industrial designer, and interior designer.

After graduating from Syracuse University in 1920, where he studied painting as well as some freelance designing, Guild and his wife moved to New York City, and he worked as an illustrator and writer. Guild started his own business in 1924 called Lurelle Guild Associates. With an eight-person staff, the company made models and worked on product development. In 1928, he renamed the business the Guild of Industrial Design. Additionally, he started Dale Decorators, which was a door-to-door decorating service, and was a founding member of the Industrial Designers Society of America.

Guild played an active role in product development and marketing; he designed about a thousand products a year. When he invented a new product, he patented it and then assigned the patent to the manufacturer, charging a fee and then royalties. One of his clients was Alcoa Aluminum, maker of Kensington Ware kitchen utensils. Guild responded to the company's needs and requests for certain types of products and improvements to some already produced. Other clients included Electrolux, International Silver Company, Kensington, Pullman Company, Revlon, and the Scranton Lace Company.

Scope and Contents

A three-piece "Mayfair" coffee set in cast aluminum with cherry handles designed by Lurelle Guild (1898-1985), patented in 1934, and manufactured by Wear-Ever Aluminum Inc., a subsidiary of the Aluminum Company of America as part of its Kensington Ware line. It consists of a coffee pot, creamer, and sugar bowl. There are two companion pieces, a "Mayfair" water pitcher and a cigarette box.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.

Language of Materials

English

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
Kensington ware coffee set
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 2021: Ashley Williams

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400