c1910 Steel Furnace Interior Labor Cabinet Card

This photo can make your stomach turn.  The rarest subject matter in labor, in my opinion – an interior shot of the mill’s furnace. However, our photographer was not a great one – and the center figure is blurred, the photo is a bit dark and the development proper is just sloppy.  I couldn’t however pass up the opportunity to save the subject matter, so despite all of that and a wavy border (poorly cut) and one bubble near the bottom right corner – its a pleasure to own.  Photo measures approx 5″ x 7″ on a 7″ x 9″ mount.  Likely twenty five figures in total, many holding tools – can’t beat it. Not at this price-point anyway!

 

c1930s Walter L. Main Circus Carnival Train Banners 20′

I like to handle only one of a kind things, and I can be certain that these fall right in my niche.  A pair of canvas screenprinted banners (white, with black trimmed red lettering) that measure 26″ high by 120″ long (each) x 2.  Reads: Walter L. Main 3 Ring.  The Walter L. Main circus operated on and off from the 1880s up to the 1940s, I’d pretty much guarantee these are 1930s/early 1940s. These are absolutely classic, railroad car advertising banners to drape outside the show’s cars as they traveled.  Own a little piece of an iconic dustbowl era scene here. Here’s what looks to have happened, they look to have been printed “Erie Litho” (a recognized circus poster printer) as back ups and never used.  They clearly saw water damage to the bottom – perhaps 10″ – years ago. Would frame beautifully, or clean them up and hang as they are.  The top 2/3rds looks to be new old stock, and the bottom 1/3 has some canvas flaking and staining.

 

c1930s Cast Iron Bookends – Labor Steel Workers WPA

Cast iron book ends with beautiful high relief images of men at work in a Steel mill.  Inside the paired image of the two men is “FWS”.  Uncertain if that was the name of a mill – or if those are the artist’s initials and this is a WPA era art project.  Measure 4 1/2″ tall, 6″ wide and 2″ deep at base.