Edward Vladimir Frater

Hi, my name is Hugh and I’m Edward Vladimir Fraters son. I understand that my father has been very active on this forum for a number of years so I thought it appropriate to post up this message.

Edward has been advancing in age and has lived with cancer for over 12 years. His advancing age and medical problems resulted in his admission to hospital 2 weeks ago.

Unfortunately it is with sadness that I have to say that Edward passed away today in his sleep.

I know that my father might have been a little abrupt in some of his posts on the forum, and I can only apologise if he has rubbed anyone up the wrong way.

I have a number of photos from Edwards time as a craftsman and jewellery maker that I’d like to share, so I hope I can continue to post those up to the forum.

Cheers, Hugh

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I always enjoyed his posts…Rob

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That is sad news, he was a wealth of information, he will be missed, my condolences to his family and friends.
Jim

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Hello Hugh,

Thank you so much for reaching out. Your father was a great contributor to this forum and will be missed. His area of expertise and life experiences were very unique and interesting and he was very generous in sharing with us.

my condolences to you and your family.

Julie

I always read Ted’s posts. His willingness to share his knowledge is greatly appreciated.

Don Meixner

Dear Hugh,
I am so sorry for your loss. I am glad you will share some of his photo legacy here with us.
take care, Janine

Thanks everyone for your kind words. We sadly lost my mother on the same day after a short time in hospital so it’s a little overwhelming at the moment. My mother had tolerated Ted’s crazy ways for 50 years (I think).

Although I don’t practice the jewellery making that my father did, I have lived under the same roof as him for my 39yrs and have a deep understanding of the tools and techniques that he used. If anyone has any queries about how he worked with his machines, or about dropstamping and die work please just ask. I don’t however know much about his very early enamelled work or the techniques required to work with fired enamels.

I plan to store as much of his irreplaceable tools and the dropstamping dies as I can so that they are preserved for a future generation.

If the mods are ok with it, I’d like to continue posting content under this account.

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You might want to contact Kevin Potter of Potter USA. He would be able to help share the drop stamping dies and in this way continue your dads legacy and art.

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Hi,
That is a great suggestion! I have always thought of Kevin Potter as a preservationist of the old ways and tools…he seems to save them from a life of neglect, storage, and at worst scrap disposal, and i feel that he provides a loving place for them to resume their glorious purpose!

julie

Thank you for the suggestion to contact Kevin Potter. I did not know of him until now. I don’t work in this industry so I don’t have the connections that you folks can recommend so I do appreciate your input.

I have more dies than I can find a home for, along with at least 3 drop stamps, two of which are the portable ones that Dad build. So to find a home for at least some of this equipment would be great.

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I remember Vlad as being sometimes without filters, but felt it always came from a place of good intent. He was a source of much knowledge and I enjoyed reading his posts. It was sad to hear of his passing.

Another option to conserve your father’s legacy tools would be to contact Jeff Herman. He doesn’t do drop stamping but is a restoration specialist and does have a large collection of heritage and usual tools, that he uses so he may be interested.

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Hugh,
I’m sorry for your loss. May his memory be a blessing.

Hugh, I am so sorry for the loss of both your parents.

I would like to thank everybody for their kind words at this time, it is appreciated. I’m a little overwhelmed with the task at hand at the moment but I will endeavour to start sharing some pictures of Edwards work over the years.

Thanks for taking this task on for your dad and your mom. They probably rests easier knowing that you are trying to do the right thing with his tools and shop. At the age of 73, I struggle with the same concern and hope that my boys are as up to the task as you seem to be. You have been given a couple of good names to start with. There are also some online groups that deal with used jewelry tools. Your dad’s tools were kind of unique and special so, if you can, let them sit for a while and let time do its thing. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress…Rob

I’m so sorry to hear this. I corresponded with Edward at the end of April this year since he was interested in some of the silversmithing tools I had for sale. At 76, in Central London and now without a workshop, I too am looking to divest myself of my horde of equipment.

Always interested in getting more tools, right till the end - that was my dad…

I hope you get a chance to find new homes for your equipment and tools.

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The early days of dad’s exhibition space on the Bayswater road in London. Selling bracelets, rings and enamelled pendants:

Some enamel work that he did for Andrew Grima:

His exhibition marquee, around 1988, before he started working with the dropstamp and minting:

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