Cross Publishing Company motto trivets

The Cross “GOD BLESS OUR HOME” motto trivet.

The first two images were  provided by Tom Harmony. His “God Bless Our Home” trivet is cast iron (CI) and 4 5/8″ in diameter with four short paw feet. It’s signed CROSS PUBL. CO. ELIZABETH N.J. and MADE IN USA. 

Counting Tom’s trivet, I know of five different trivets by Cross Publishing Company; there may be more. All known motto trivets produced by this company were religious in theme, suggesting this company was a religious book publisher.

GOD ANSWERS PRAYER ~ CI, 8 1/4″ x 5″ w/three feet. On reverse: CROSS PUBL. CO. ELIZABETH N.J. and © MADE IN USA

GOD IS GREAT GOD IS GOOD AND WE THANK HIM FOR OUR FOOD ~ CI, 5 3/8″ square w/four feet. On reverse: T2 CROSS PUBLISHING CO. ELIZABETH N.J. and © MADE IN USA.

JESUS NEVER FAILS ~ CI, 8″ x 5 7/8″ w/four feet. On reverse: T5 CROSS PUBL. CO. ELIZABETH N.J. and © MADE IN USA. (I’ve also seen this design in bookends with the same signature except for TBE-5.)

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD ~ CI, 9″ x 4 1/2″ w/three feet. On reverse: T4 CROSS PUBL. CO. ELIZABETH N.J. and © MADE IN USA.

Background on the Cross Publishing Company

I contacted the Elizabeth, N.J. Public Library in March 2021. The Supervisor of their Local History & Special Collections department, Aimee Fernandez-Puente, searched the City Directories and found the Cross Publishing Company documented in the 1947 to 1957 editions.

● 1947-1951: The Cross Publishing Company was located at 52-54 Sixth Street. It was identified as a “Printers Books & Commercial” business owned by Benjamin Hubinger.

.● 1953-57: The Cross Publishing Company was located at 407 Elizabeth Avenue and identified as a wholesaler of religious articles. Benjamin Hubinger was identified as the President.

● The company was not mentioned in the Elizabeth City Directories after the 1957 edition.

Does anyone have any additional information or know of any other trivets or products attributed to this company? If so, please Contact Me.

Update May 1, 2022

I found a sixth Cross Publishing Company motto trivet!

BLESS THIS HOUSE OH LORD WE PRAY MAKE IT SAFE BY NIGHT AND DAY ~ CI, 8″ x 6 1/4″ w/three feet. On reverse: CROSS PUBL. CO. ELIZABETH N.J. and © MADE IN USA.

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