Posted 10 years ago
rniederman
(343 items)
Lately I’ve been looking for vintage images of patent or product models. This is a recent acquisition of a terrific steam engine model. What’s interesting and special is that this isn’t a single CDV like my other images, but a stereoview.
The rear of the image has period writing noting: “Steam Engine Made by T. Pease Edgartown Mass.” There is also the studio stamp of Charles H. Shute & Son Photographers, Edgartown, Mass. The studio was active from 1868 to 1877 which helps date the stereoview.
The perspective of the steam engine in the two images is unusual and, to me, looks like hyperstereo photography to exaggerate the stereo affect. Hyperstereo images are made when a pair of camera lenses is spaced wider than human eyes.
Although there were cameras available during this time that could make hyperstereo images, the crudeness of the perspective (look closely at the table top) leads me to believe that the stereoview images were made by ineptly moving a single lens camera side-to-side instead of using stereo camera. However the stereo affect is present when viewed properly.
Great photo. I thought I would give you some info to ponder.
Pease's first name initial has been interpreted as "Y," "T," and somewhere it is stated that the model is by "Thomas Pease."
Here is an article and photo of a model steam engine titled "Steam Engine Made of Pipestone" that states:
"RECENTLY a model steam engine, made back in 1888 by L.O. Pease, who ... ."
Read the blog comments below the article, in particular the fourth one.
http://blog.modernmechanix.com/steam-engine-made-of-pipestone/
Hi Solver ... thanks for the info. The script on the back of the card could be a "Y" or a "T" or something else entirely. I posted a scan of the inscription so that you and others can render an opinion. I've scoured Google for information about Pease and found a huge lineage of the family in Martha's Vineyard. Otherwise, the pipestone engine article is terrific.
Ah, and rniederman comes thru again! Nice.
It looks like an "L" to me, especially since the capital letters "S" and "L" were very similar in 19th century handwriting. I don't think it's a "Y" since the loop would go below the "imaginary line." And, doesn't appear to look like any 19th century "T" I have seen since it has such a big lower dip. All just my opinion. If it is an "L" I don't understand the extra line in the middle of the main stroke.
L. O. Pease was "Mrs." L. O. Pease. The excerpt in the following book confirms that the model steam engine won an award at the 1893 Columbian Exposition.
"Building on a Borrowed Past: Place and Identity in Pipestone, Minnesota" by Sally J. Southwick. The pages this is excerpted from are referring to the 1893 Columbian Exposition:
"When approximately a hundred thousand Minnesota residents visited the World's Fair, they saw not only the Pipestone County Fair Club's mantel and heart but also award-winning exhibits from individuals in town.
...
Mrs. L. O. Pease garnered a women's award for a miniature engine made of catlinite."
I accessed the above excerpt from a preview of the Southwick book so it may not show up now when you go to the link:
http://books.google.com/books?id=c6vppcUJ4esC&lpg=PA60&dq=%22Mrs.%20L.%20O.%20Pease%22&pg=PA60#v=onepage&q=%22Mrs.%20L.%20O.%20Pease%22&f=false
This is great Rob!!
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Good morning.
May I ask if you would like to sell this stereoscopic photograph or trade it on something else that you may collect? I collect images of models of steam engines and also early live steam engines and objects related to steam.
Thank you.
Hi Romak ... the image is a recent acquisition, not for sale and is included in my collection of 'patent' images. As a note, please understand that CW policy prohibits the buying and selling of items (including offers). Regardless and as a collector, I recognize your passion for 'the hunt.'
Good evening Rniederman. I did not mean to do anything illegal. I just asked if the photograph was for sale or trade. It sure had some kind of monetary value if it was purchased.
As for the photograph, I do not think that this is a "patent" image or, if this is what you mean by "patent", an image of a patent model. In my opinion Pease was not an inventor or the patentee of a unique steam engine or any of the improvements for steam engines. What I see on a photograph is just a model of a horizontal steam engine. It does not show the improved valves or any other unusual mechanics, which suggests me that this is a hobby piece or an exhibition model similar to many models crafted by enthusiasts and engineers in USA and other countries in 1800's. The material it made looks to me like metal and wood. It could be a type of a salesman sample, if Pease was representing a company that specializes in manufacturing steam engines. So far, I did not see this type of a steam engine in US Patent office database, which means Pease never submitted it as a patent model. It is still a nice model, but it sure lucks some ornamental features that were quite common for exhibition pieces, patent models and salesman samples of that era. The model on your photograph is not the one that was made of pipestone, but I think it is even older than that 1888 model, made probably in 1860's-1870's.
Hi Romak ... terrific information. Thank you. (I forgot to mention that in addition to patent images, I also like pictures of models.) BTW ... the dates you speculate are in line with the studio that made the image; it was in business from 1868 to 1877. Otherwise maybe you can give us some insight about Pease's first name. As seen on the back of the image, the first initial is somewhat cryptic. What do you think?
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Great image!
To me it looks like the letter F.
Would look look at this link, I would like your input.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/127475-antique-tt-and-h-wooden-pocket-level
Thanks, David
Hi David ... thanks! I looked at the small bubble level and commented. While TTH is a well known maker of camera optics, I didn't see that label on the item.
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Re: comment #27
It's stamped into the brass next to the vials.
Thanks, David ... I see it now ... very cool because I wasn't aware the TT&H was into that type of thing. Good to learn about this.
Thanks for your input.
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came across your posting while looking through my archives of interest. Just wanted to say.… great post.
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RonM
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