We posted a tribute article and showcased many of the engraving artist, James L. Bruce’s work here awhile back.
Then Doug G. sent us in this picture of 1968 James L Bruce mirror that he bought years ago at an Estate Sale. He was wondering if anyone had information on it.
Just another photo of it.
As you can see, his work is excellent and his engraving process is very unique. Doug mentioned that it doesn’t have a title. It depicts a Cowboy on horse roping a calf in a valley in the west
Doug, would like to know if anyone knows if this is one of his first mirrors. If anyone has information on it, please leave a comment below. Or just tell us what you think of it! Thank you all.
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This is an absolutely stunning piece of artistry!
Beauty beyond words
Wow that is gorgeous!
totally awesome ..
I read a book about his work quite a few years back, and this picture was in it. I believe it was called “Taming The West.”. Published around 1970. This picture was inspired by an article that was in the Arizona Gazette, about a farm hand who had to travel to find a calf, that had wondered from the herd. If memory serves right, the article did not have a photo accompaniment, so this was how Mr. Burk picture it in his mind, and he transferred the image to a mirror to reflect the story behind it. Most of his etchings were done with an old diamond ring that was passed onto him by a family member.
My dad was a renown inventor, published in Popular Mechanics, among others. He won the “Golden Hammer Award”. I did some deep searching about what inspired people to do things, This would have been in the 1983 area, after I graduated High School, I didn’t care if they were makers, innovators, rapists, or murderers. Everyone had a story to tell. It was my way of learning personal psychology outside of proper schooling. My dad made me learn that not every tool was made for only one reason, you just had to look outside the box. I read many books. I visited many businesses to see why they did what they do. One thing I learned from my recent boss, who is the smartest man I ever met: “Never do anything because you can. Do it because you can do it better than anyone else!”. He is an engineer with more degrees and licenses than I could list. I am his engineer assistant that never had to go to school, and hold no licenses, because of my upbringing.
Because I too am a maker, I’ve built my own CNC glass engraving machines, we do acid etching, sand and glass blasting among other, I know my limit has yet to be reached. I also know that if you hand me a banded Diamond, there is no way I could ever reproduce what Mr. Burk did from a thought or memory. He is a person who stepped way out side of the box. Not all of his etchings were great, but this one was one that got a lot of praise not just for the content, but also for the artistry that made it awesome. The fact that it was one of the earliest he did on a mirror to reflect the story. Can not be lost!
Sorry, I misspoke in both of the above. They should have read Bruce, not Burk. 🙁
Excellent creation.
From what I understand, Mr. Bruce’s work in the 60’s was his earlier years.
I have one also, just a different scene. I’ll try to figure out how to upload it.
I knew Mr. Bruce personally! He personalized a mirror for me that is in the fashion of the one pictured. I was in his studio often. As far as I remember, his method was to start on the rear of the mirror and pen out the original art, making sure to reverse words! He used a pen/stylus looking tool that was diamond tipped. He would etch into the backing to one depth at first, then deeper as needed to create the mind-blowing illusion of three D. He had other tools that were carbide tipped and other materials. Next, he hand made the frame which is 3-4 inches deep. This houses the two, I think, neon bulbs. After wiring, and adding a switch, secured the back on. Last, added a hanger system. Bruce was very nice, always friendly and ready to answer any questions you had with the gusto of a mentor wanting to pass on his knowledge to a willing student! He looked like an old weather-beaten cowboy, tough as nails, and would chew the head off a rattler. But when he talked, you just listened to a wonderful, talented man wanting to please his friends. Somewhere, I have a set of class tumblers he engraved as a gift for me. Thanks for reading this encounter. I hope this story last for eternity!
I wish I were that privileged to have known the man. Today I walked right next to his gravesite in Calico California and then chanced upon all these comments. How fortunate many of you are to have known him.
While James Bruce was in Calico he was across from my Grandmother’s shop. Wasn’t Reid owned Calico Rock and Gift Shop, if I recall correctly. My Grandmother has a large mirror from 1974. After reading the comment on how well the box it put together, maybe I can’t change the bulbs. Any suggestions?
Above comment auto corrected my Grandmother’s name, Wahnita Reid.
I know someone personally who knows how to change the lightbulbs if you are still interested.