History Of Brewery Trays
British brewery trays, or ‘waiter trays’ as they were originally named, were probably first produced in the 1880s. I have examples of trays from this era, and even one which has 1888 stamped on it. However it may be that trays were first produced in the 1870s, and a Fred Cutler tray from my collection, may be such an example.
69% of British brewery trays in my collection are round, square trays account for 20%, rectangular trays 10%, and 1% are oval.
1870 to 1914
Before the first World War, trays were produced in brass, copper and enamel.
The first heavy tin trays were produced around 1900 and I call these black-backed trays because the back of each tray is coloured black. Trays from this era were round in shape with the odd rare early example being either oval or rectangular.
The early brass and copper trays were produced by a range of manufacturers with no one particular company dominating the scene. Good early examples of brass and copper trays were produced by W.&.A.K. Johnston Ltd, H.J. Turner, and Wm Brownlie Ltd.
After 1900 round enamel trays were produced with these having fairly plain colouring. Two key enamel tray manufacturers during this period were C. E. Wilkins and Prince of Wares.
One of my personal aims is to own 100 good condition turn of the century examples of brass, copper and enamel trays combined, as these are difficult items to find.
Rare early black-backed tray manufacturers included Joseph Causton Ltd, B.A.T. Co Ltd and Hancock Corfield & Waller Ltd.
1915-1918
During the First World War the factories producing trays were converted for the production of munitions.
1919-1939
Between the two world wars the vast majority of brewery trays were heavy black-backed items still mostly round, with a few oval and rectangular examples. Manufacturing during this period was dominated by three companies, Hancock Corfield & Waller Ltd, B.A.T. Co Ltd and Sir Joseph Causton Ltd.
During the 1930s two additional black-backed tray manufacturers were added to the three companies above. They were Reginald Corfield Ltd and Barringer Wallis & Manners Ltd. Reginald Corfield had worked for Hancock Corfield & Waller Ltd but decided to set up in competition in the 1930s, much to the annoyance of his previous employer. Barringer Wallis & Manners Ltd was responsible for producing the first famous Gilroy Guinness black-backed trays amongst others.
This period of mainly black-backed trays is my favourite and one in which I am always happy to pick up an undiscovered tray.
To complete the picture of this era some brass, copper and enamel trays continued to be produced especially during the 1920s.
I would be happy to add any square brass, copper, enamel or black-backed tray produced before 1939 to my collection, as the only one I know is a Worthington example from the 1930s.
1940-1944
During the Second World War the factories producing trays were once again converted for the production of munitions.
1945-1955
I have separated these ten years because the majority of trays produced were made from alloy. Alloy trays are the lightest in weight and they were produced from excess material used in aircraft manufacturing during WW2. The contrast in the weight of trays before and after WW2 is a great clue as to whether a tray is pre or post-war. The main shape of an alloy tray remained round, although a number of rectangular alloy trays were also produced during this period. Surprisingly, and I do not know why but most round alloy trays did not display a manufacturer’s mark.
The latter part of this era saw the introduction of square trays. The earlier square trays were lighter than those produced towards the end of the 1950s and throughout the 1960s.
Three manufacturers dominated production during this period and they were Reginald Corfield Ltd, Hancock Corfield & Waller Ltd and The Metal Box Co Ltd.
Other materials that were used in the production of trays during this period included Bakelite, chrome, aluminium and even plastic.
1955-1970
This final era was dominated by three manufacturers which used one material. The three manufacturers were Reginald Corfield Ltd, Hancock Corfield & Waller Ltd, and The Metal Box Co Ltd, all of whom used tin as its main material. These tin trays were both square and round with some rectangular examples too. The weight of a tin tray manufactured during this period was much heavier than equivalent trays produced in the early to mid-1950s.
Rather bland mono coloured trays made of aluminium and chrome were also produced during this era. The main manufacturers were Mermaid and Samuel Groves Ltd.
To complete the story, smaller round trays were introduced in the late 1950s, and these continued to be manufactured throughout the 1960s.
Final Comments
The collection represents a century of British brewery trays with the rough chronological order of materials used in the manufacture of trays as follows:
- 1870 – 1920 Copper & Brass
- 1900 – 1920 Enamel
- 1900 – 1939 Black backed heavy steel
- 1945 – 1955 Alloy
- 1953 – 1960 Aluminium
- 1953 – 1970 Tin
The manufacturers which produced the largest number of trays in my collection were Reginald Corfield Ltd (33%), Hancock Corfield & Waller (14%) & Metal Box Co (9%).
One of the main reasons for my cut off of 1970 is because in that year both Reginald Corfield Ltd and Hancock Corfield & Waller Ltd ended operations.
I can remember the 1960s fondly and can particularly remember being taken to country pubs by my parents, with Dad inevitably bringing the drinks to the garden on a waiter tray. Waiter trays were used less and less through the 1970s, and were virtually non existent by the end of the 1990s.
I believe this collection captures the history of one of Britain’s unsung advertising items- enjoy!