Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Fire Kit by David Crisalli
Brass tube waterproof fire kit patterned after 18th century brass telescope tubing.
Holds a couple of strands of charred cotton rope and a few double-ended sulfur spunks (used since the 6th century). The brass can, with a waxed leather washer, keeps everything dry. To use, pinch off a piece of the charred rope and it catches a spark from flint and steel very quickly. Even easier, if the flint rifle or pistol is unloaded, is to put the piece of charred rope in the pan, close the frizzen and snap the lock. Drop the lit char into the cap of the kit and touch one end of a spunk to it. One or two quick puffs of air and the spunk takes light.
The charred rope was also made over an open fire without the use of the usual tin or can with a hole in it.
Bed Hangings
Complied by Abbott Lowell Cummings
Essays by Nina Fletcher Little
New introduction by Jane C. Nylander
Published by Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, Boston, Massachusetts 1994.
This 60 book include the three sections and
contains 62 photos, diagrams, and etchings. Section one is on Fabrics and Documentary Sources by Abbott Lowell Cummings with text, table of materials, list of materials, and illustrations. Section two is Pictorial Sources by Nina Fletcher Little with text and illustrations. The third section is Technical Notes with text and illustrations.
Abbott Lowell Cummings is a noted architectural historian and genealogist, best known for his study of New England architecture.
More information on Cummings can be found at Wikipedia.
Abbott Lowell Cummings is a noted architectural historian and genealogist, best known for his study of New England architecture.
More information on Cummings can be found at Wikipedia.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Hunting Pouch by Gary Elsenbeck
Copy and photos supplied by Gary Elsenbeck.
Great Lakes Headress circa 1790
Materials: Birchbark, satin, eagle feather/feathers, silver brooches, porcupine quills, pottery/ceramic bead/beads, horsehair, hide thong/babiche, cotton tape, wood, cotton thread, sinew, linen thread, dye/dyes, fur
Technique: Bent, stitched, wrapped, sewn, quill-wrapped (flat)
Dimensions: 39 x 36 cm
Collected between 1790 and 1795 by Major Andrew Foster (1768-1806, British Army officer) at Fort Miami or Fort Michilimackinac; inherited by his family; transferred to George Terasaki (New York art dealer) at an unknown date; acquired by MAI through an exchange with Terasaki in 1966.
Had on and Took With Her
As published by Benjamin Towne of Philadelphia between 1775
and 1784
Complied and Edited by Sue Huesken and Karen Mullian
“The following 42 runaway servant advertisements were
gleaned from The Pennsylvania Evening Post, a newspaper published by Benjamin
Towne. This 34 page book includes an introduction, runaway
advertisements, clothing and textile charts, index of women, and additional
reading. The following is an exert from this interesting little book.
[January 6, 1778]
RAN AWAY on the morning of the thirtieth of Dec. last, from
the subscriber, living in Combes’s alley, an apprentice girl named MARGARET
TAGGART, of Irish extraction. Had on when she went away, a black silk bonnet
with white silk lining, a yellow striped linsey short gown, blue quilted
petticoat, yarn stockings, high heeled leather shoes and large brass buckles;
has about four years to serve, and is suppose to be lurking about the barracks.
Whoever apprehends her and brings her home, shall receive ONE SHILLING reward and
no charges.
January 6, 1778.
JONATHAN WILLIS
Friday, December 28, 2012
Jud Brennan Rifle
The rifle is equipped with a 46 1/4 inch, .60 caliber rifled barrel, has extensive engraving on the metal, and well executed relief carving on the stock. Made approximately 12 years ago, with custom handmade lock and silver plated hardware.
