Renewing A Pledge VIII Centuries Old

The story of the Insignia adopted by the Millwork Institute of California has a wealth of historical background which is rarely iound in present day emblems or seals used in connection with modern business. This fact not only lends it considerably more value than any modern device which could be fabricated, but also gives to the members of the Institute a foundation of tradition and ideals upon which confidence and good will of the Institute can be based.

It is a heritage which has been handed down through the agesone that has been accepted in no light vein-and one that will be cherished and continued so long as the Institute shall exist.

An explanation of the various parts of the insignia will serve to show the significance of each contributing device, and will serve also tb establish clearly the meaning of the whole and the value it will assume.

The central shield portrays on a field of Golden Orange the black devices of a lateral adze and a square. Some 800 years ago in the town of Bruges in Flanders these were used as the designation of the Guild of Charpentier, a society composed of the woodworkers of the town, for mutual benefit and the promotion of skill in woodworking.

Now in studying over the period of the world when the Guilds flourished, it is found that these societies were formed in every part of Europe and that they were composed of the most skilled craftsmen of the times. Strict requirements for admission were imposed and years of preparation were necessary before the apprentice could apply for admission.

Strange as it may seem, the foremost artists were members of the Guilds and to be a member was regarded as a signal honor- one -to be sought consistently and once attained to be respected by the member as much as the layman. Bv this is meant the member was obliged at all times to maintain fhe high character of his work in order to remain a member of the Guild. (In the Guild of Masters of Wood and Stone in Florence, Italy, 'such names ai Leonardo de Vinci and Benvenuto Cellini-artiiis whose masterpieces are among the world's finest-appear as members.)

In France and Flanders during this peiiod the art of wood carving was .very highly. developed-the foremost wood carvers beine classil fied as..Cha-rpentiers (literally Carpenters), and being memlbers of the Uulld ot that name.

The signs adopted by the Guilds to designate their societies and to identify their work, therefore, were considered by them as a p_ledge to everyone that work-no matter of what nature-bearing the sign of the Guild was the highest quality that could be had.

With the adoption of the ancient Guild sign of the Charpentier of Bruges, the Millwork Institute of California assumes that pledge of quality, accepts the heritage of the Guild with its traditions of skill and honor and carries on that pledge for the builders of today.

Below the shield on a ribbon of Blue appears the one Latin word "Perite." The literal meaning of this is "Skillfully," but the root frop which the word is derived has. the more speiific meaning of "Skill through accurate knowledge and experience." This single word gives in as brief form as possible the attributes of the work produced by the members of the Millwork Institute of California.

The shield and the ribbon bearing the inscription are mounted on a panel showing the grain of wood and absolutely identifying to the mind of those who do not at first grasp the significance of the adze and square, that the Seal applies to wood.

The inscription surrounding this Seal consists merely of the name "Millwork Institute of California" and the product which it features, "Architectural Woodwork.

The name applied to the product of the members of the Millwork Institute of California-Architectural Woodwork-is the final statement of quality. It conveys to the average mind the idea of a skill and exactness not to be found in the ordinary woodwork or carper-rtering. The word architectural was chosen to impart this meaning to the lay mind. It suggests immediately something substantial which has been created through study and according to definite knowledge on the subject.

The colors selected for the Seal are Blue and Golden-Orange. Even.these have their significance. The Blue means sincerity or faithfulness-the Golden-Orange, courage. The fact that these are the colors of the State of California adds yet another significance to them.

And so we come to the Seal as a whole: A Golden-Orange shield q'ith the insignia of the Guild of Charpentier-the lateral adze, a tool used by skilled workers; the square to designate accuracy. Below it on a Blue ribbon, denoting sincerity, the Motto "PeriteSkillfully, with a skill gained through accurate knowledge and experience." As a background the grained wood panel forming the direct association with the material used bv the members of the Millu'ork Institute of California. Surrounding all the name "Milln'ork Institute of California," and the product which shall mean to t''e public the highest ouality obtainable-"Architectural Woodwork." 'l'hus comes into being the renewed pledge eight centures old to tell to the public pictorially the story of the Millwork Institute of Catifornia-An Educationaf Oreanization of Independent and Compeling Operators. Devoted to Elevating the Status of the Industry, en'l Pledged to Deliver to the Consumer the Highest Quality of Product at the Most Economical Cost.

Texas Leads as California Door Consumer

According to Mr. C. Storvell Smith. secretary of the Cali- r.rnia Sugar & White Pine Manufacturers Association, Texas q'as the larqest consumer of California pine doors in tl'e year 1924. Texas 'ivas likewise the leading state in this regard during 1923.

According to Mr. Smith's figures, California ranked se'cond to Texas as a consumer of her own doors, with Oklahoma coming third.