Bolta tray

[Duer 157099]

This is a frustrating one. No photo yet, will post when I can.

First off, I'll describe it. It's a black plastic (don't think it's bakelite, but has that look) serving tray, and it's covered in leather on the topside (? is that really a good idea?). The leather is embossed in the center with a simple yet very elegant drawing of a horse head in profile. It's cafeteria-tray size.

One the back is stamped "Bolta" inside of a large "G" and a number "408" and "Made in the USA"; plus to the side there's another smaller mark, circular with the number "56" inside.

Google tells me that there are some George Nelson mid century trays manufactured by a company called "Boltabest" - and I'm going to assume this is the same company that underwent a name change. I think the "Bolta" brand might have preceded the Boltabest brand, but that's supposition.

The frustrating this is that it appears that this was signed. I can feel (and see) the indentation along the bottom edge of the leather with what appears to be writing, perhaps a name. Unfortunately, I cannot read it, even after trying the tracing trick. I think the leather is just too worn away in spots.

Here's the kind of funny part of this story, and it relates to the other thread where we were talking about tape and tags and price markings ruining pieces. This had a paper sticky tag on it that had been written with black marker (like Sharpie). The tag came off fine. But the ink had bled through onto the leather

The irony is, that the tag said "AS IS" -- and I had looked to see why they marked it that way, to make sure it wasn't cracked or anything. The leather had water/glass marks (again, good idea to make a serving tray out of leather?) so I figured that was what inspired the as is designation.

So, I know I wasn't supposed to do this, but hey when has that stopped me? I decided to try cleaning it. First saddle soap, which took a good layer of the grime (and patina, of course) off. Then some Murphy's for round two, which took some more dirt off (and much of the stupid tag marking). I applied some mineral oil before sort of wondering if I was mixing up wood and leather, lol - I use mineral oil on wood, and assume it's good for leather too.

Anyway, so that's why there's no photo yet, it's drying but still patchy. Actually it looks better than before, some of the ring marks/spots have faded markedly.

So, any suggestions as to how to go about further identifying this? I sort of tried finding out who the horse-head leather artists of the day were, but that could be a long haul.

I wonder if it was a tray used in the cocktail lounge of a race track? And maybe the writing has the track name on it. Or, the writing could be the name of the horse on the tray.

:shrug:

edit to add photo:

[Duer 157099]

1. Ah, one further clue

Interesting. Aparently the "G" in the Bolta mark stands for "General Tire"

http://cgi.ebay.com/23-Vintage-General-Tire-Bolta-Orange-Juice-Glasses_W0QQitemZ310047182276QQihZ021QQcategoryZ979QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

And another one - there's an existing company called Boltaflex, I think that's the current incarnation:

http://www.omnova.com/products/contractUpholstery/Boltaflex.aspx

[Duer 157099]

2. From Feb 2, 1953 issue of Time:

"Plastic Walls. A plastic wall covering that looks like leather has been put on sale by Bolta Products Sales, Inc. of Lawrence, Mass. Made of semi-flexible Vinylite laminated to a paper backing, Bolta-Wall comes in ten colors, can be washed, resists scuffing and fading. Price: about 50¢ per sq. ft., installed; $19 for a "do-it-yourself" kit of 100 tiles."

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,817896,00.html?promoid=googlep

[Duer 157099]

3. Clue re company history

http://www.standex.com/standex_history.htm

"Standex is the quintessential New England company, with deep local roots, a culture of stability and a commitment to conservative management. Our Company was founded in 1955 by John Bolten, a successful German entrepreneur. Originally, he was in the business of manufacturing plastic combs in Andover, Massachusetts. That business evolved into a vinyl sheeting company, which he operated under the name of Bolta Plastics. Bolten sold Bolta Plastics to General Tire Company, providing the capital for his acquisition of the Standard Publishing Company, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based publisher of religious books and magazines, and Roehlen Engraving, a Rochester, New York-based engraver of embossing plates and rolls for texturization. The two businesses were merged to form Standard International, later renamed Standex International Corporation."

and more:

Vollrath

1976 - Purchase Bolta line from General Tire & Rubber Co.

http://www.vollrathco.com/profile_acquisitions.jsp

[sandnsea]

4. Here's some Bolta bowls

I wonder if the brown plastic-like material is the Bolta, that maybe it's a bit stronger than vinyl?


http://cgi.ebay.com/LOT-OF-6-VINTAGE-SALAD-BOWLS-RESTAURANT-ESTATE-BOLTA_W0QQitemZ190207723350QQihZ009QQcategoryZ13941QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

[eleny]

5. Someone is selling a Bolta serving tray on ebay

It's cork instead of leather.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BOLTA-SERVING-TRAY_W0QQitemZ120278820614QQcmdZViewItem?IMSfp=TL0807021895r6489

[Duer 157099]

6. Yep, I saw those, and the bowls

This is reminding me of the whole Waverly tray thing.