from:  RGBG789@aol.com

I AM TRYING TO LOCATE ANY COMPANY THAT PRODUCES THE SAME TYPE OF
METAL TRAY WHICH FABCRAFT, INC. USE TO MAKE. I HAVE A NEW JERSEY TERCENTENARY TRAY AND I WANT TO PURCHASE SIMILAR TRAYS.

ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
R. G.

I had an interesting phone call yesterday from Mr. Richard Kraus, son of founder Frederick Kraus and retired owner of Kraus Associates - the local Frenchtown company which produced the Fabcraft Trays and Guildcraft Containers. (I was admonished by Richard with the words of his father, founder of the company, to never call them 'tins')

Here's the story:
Fabcraft and Guildcraft were trade names of Kraus Associates.

Kraus Associates was located in the 6th Street building later sold to Bluefish Clothing, then to current owner, Amaryllis Designs. Many Frenchtown residents worked for Kraus Assoc. over the years, but they did more than make Fabcraft Trays.

Most of the Fabcraft trays were made as commemorative sales premiums and promotional products. They are now surfacing on eBay and collectibles sites - and people are trying to learn more about their history and current value. As a result, we have received numerous inquiries about them and created this page.

The Guildcraft Containers were custom made for Sunshine Biscuit and other companies who wanted an attractive, special container for their products. So many were made, with so many designs and styles, that a woman 'down south' has collected them for years and is preparing to write a book about them. (More about that when we learn more.)
 
I will be meeting Mr. Kraus in person and will hopefully come back wtih some photos and examples of Fabcraft and Guildcraft products. 

Bookmark this page and come back for more as the story unfolds....

Alan 
webmaster, Frenchtown.com
 

Apparently the pressed-steel Coke and Pepsi trays still exist and have "Fabcraft, Frenchtown, NJ" stamped on them.

At this time, (Sept, 2000), all I know is that people write and ask me about the company, and someone in town did make some reference to it when I began asking around.

As I learn more, I will post the information here.

Nov 7, 2000: Still no helpful news, but I did speak to someone who who knows someone who cleaned out the old factory when it was shut down 10-20 years ago. Sorry to be so fuzzy about it, but so was my source ;)

Word is that there are still some folks in town who used to work at FabCraft. As soon as I can interview with them, I will report what I learn.

Jan 12, 2002 - I just saw some Fabcraft trays on eBay, and bid on and won an assortment of 4 for $3.57 as the sole bidder. The tray with the image of JFK went for $16.50 with one other bidder. There's another online now - bidding started at $2.50 The "Buy Now" option is $5.00. Visit http://eBay.com to see what's new.

If YOU know more, or have any photos you would like to share, please contact the webmaster to share any information you may have.

Thank you
Alan Runfeldt
webmaster, Frenchtown.com

I am looking for a company in Frenchtown named Fabcraft.  They produced stamped metal advertising plates for various companies including the White Rock Beverage Co. Do you know if this company still exists? If so, how can I contact them? Your help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks 

Do you know anything about the company called “Farcraft Inc”. They produced a Pepsi Cola tray that I am trying to date.

Thank You,

I recently purchased 3 small oval trays.
Each one is very colorful, with SANTAS of different eras.
I would like to try and date them.
Each one has "fabcraft Inc. Frenchtown N J. Made in U.S.A."  printed on the edge. 

Sorry, no photos at present.

Hope someone in town has a good memory !!!

Thanks  Nancy V

Hi Alan,
I'm surfing for info on FabCraft; found your Frenchtown site, and quickly realized I have more info than you!

I'll tell you what I know:

There are trays and tins under the names FabCraft and GuildCraft that were produced in the factory at 3 Sixth Street that later became the home of BlueFish Clothing. I believe the same building was a carriage manufacturer before that???
The owner of the FabCraft factory was a Mr. Kraus, Krausse (sp?), Fred (?).
I have trays dated 1966 & 1986. (Worlds Fair, National Monuments, Soda Pop & Beer.)

Hope this is helpful.
Regards,
Don