Arts & Crafts Ephemera Lot — The FRA (Jan. 1910) + Roycrofters Booklets (c.1910) — Elbert Hubbard | Roycroft Press design, Arts & Crafts Movement

A trio of Roycroft-era pieces for lovers of the Arts & Crafts Movement and Elbert Hubbard. This lot includes the January 1910 issue of The FRA: A Journal of Affirmation and two Roycrofters-printed booklets—The Roycroft Shop: A History and The Age of the Auto.

Expect distinctive Roycroft layouts, orange-and-black ornament, and period advertisements that capture early 20th-century American craft culture.

All details are photo-verified; pieces are as found and ready for your shelf or studio wall.

Quick Specs

• Item Type: Vintage ephemera lot (magazine + 2 pamphlets)
• Size: The FRA 14 × 9 in; Roycroft Shop 8 × 6 in; Age of the Auto 8 × 6 in
• Material: Paper wraps (letterpress/relief printed)
• Color: Cream/tan with black & orange printing
• Origin or Maker: The Roycrofters, East Aurora, Erie County, NY (per covers)
• Year or Era: c 1900s
• GENRE: Arts & Crafts / Printing History / American Essays
• Language / Pages: English; pages not fully counted (magazine + two booklets)

Design & Features

1. The FRA — Vol. VI, No. 4, January 1910 (visible on cover); “Not for Mummies—A Journal of Affirmation”; rich ad section; orange/black Roycroft ornaments.
2. The Roycroft Shop: A History — Illustrated Arts & Crafts cover; interior hinge wear shown; title page missing (see photos).
3. The Age of the Auto (by Elbert Hubbard / Fra Elbertus) — Roycrofters booklet; decorative initials; note inside states this is a careful reproduction of the original 1910 booklet (see photo).

Condition Grade: Fair to Good 

Notes:

1. The FRA (1910): Edge wear, chipping/tears to wraps, small splits at fold; interior toned; ads and contents complete as shown.
2. Roycroft Shop: Surface stains to front wrap; spine/hinge separation (see closeup); title page missing; general soiling/toning.
3. Age of the Auto: Clean wraps with mild toning; light shelf wear; interior note indicates later reproduction of 1910 text.

See all photos for detail—sold as pictured.

Condition Grade Key
Near Fine: minimal wear; tight; clean.
Very Good: light wear; clean text; minor flaws.
Good: noticeable wear; sound reading copy; some marks.
Fair: heavy wear; complete but worn; priced accordingly.

Provenance & Notes

Estate find; no bookplates or library marks observed. Owner-supplied year 1910 for all; interior note in Age of the Auto indicates that copy is a later reproduction of the original 1910 booklet. Identifiers not visible.

About the Author Elbert Hubbard

Elbert Hubbard (Roycrofters founder) helped define American Arts & Crafts printing and design in East Aurora, NY, producing influential essays, magazines, and finely made ephemera.

Bring authentic Roycroft design into your library or studio with this display-worthy trio.

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Disclaimer 

The vintage items I share with you have been previously owned and loved and may show some wear. Please use the pictures as a guide.

While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item. 

Care & Handling: Handle with clean, dry hands. Store flat or upright out of direct sunlight, around 68°F and 40–50% RH. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings.

Please note: If you have any questions or need more photos, ask.

About Reading Vintage

At Reading Vintage, I curate one-of-a-kind treasures for book lovers, decorators, and collectors—including vintage books, retro bookends, and charming collectible pieces.