Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/736

 594 The Architectural Review ami American Builders' Journal. [Mar., street, Philadelphia, occupying build- ings on both sides of the street. These extensive works contain the most use- ful and latest improved machinery for completing all styles and patterns. Much of it is of their own invention, for which they have secured patents. This firm has a large lumber yard attached, which is generally stocked with about 1,000,000 feet of well-seasoned walnut and pine lumber. It became a necessity with us to visit this, or some other establishment of the kind, in order to realize, to the fullest extent, the progress made in this par- ticular branch of business ; and we are much indebted to the proprietors and gentlemanly employes, for their kind- ness in answering questions and giving explanations, and the promptness with which they furnished the writer a num- ber of historical incidents connected with the trade. After looking over the attractions that meet the eye at every turn in this vast museum of art, we could scarcely restrain a smile, as our mind reverted to the little Canterbury shop. It is proper to remark, that one of the above firm may be justly styled a pioneer in the great revolution achieved in ornamentation, as he was one of the first to apply machinery to the business, run by motive power. His priority in preparing moulding with a practical machine, and in moulding the wood by a similar process, is conceded. He was one of the few Canterbury operatives already spoken of, and has applied him- self closely to the business ever since. This firm is changing their style of ornamenting, with the view of attaining greater durability, while maintaining the same, if not a more skilful finish. For some time they used what is known in the trade as Composition or Compo, for making ornaments, which were pressed in moulds made of box or apple wood. It is needless to say that these moulds proved to be very expensive implements, because it required an immense number of different patterns to make the vari- ous styles demanded by a great diversity of taste. In fact, every enterprising firm invests several thousand dollars each year, for new moulds ; and, as the fashions change with time, many are thrown entirely out of use each year to give place to others. It was discovered that ornaments made of compo did not retain, for any length of time, their original appearance; for they exhibit, after a few years, evi- dence of decay, and begin to crack and crumble in small pieces, — thus destroy- ing the appearance of the once attrac- tive frame. This defect becomes more apparent on large ornaments. To obvi- ate this great disadvantage, the firm above alluded to, resorted to the use of a material known as Carton Papier, which is moulded in piece moulds made of Plaster Paris. This is an old method revived, but greatly improved, for which Messrs. Hall & Garrison have the pat- ent, and theirs is the only establishment in which it is used. Its utilit}' is en- hanced also, from the fact that the pat- entee is employed by them. These ornaments, improved as they are, will last longer, and prove more durable, than the wood itself. Indeed, it may safety be asserted that ornaments made of carton papier maintain a great superiority over compo, or any other material, known to the trade. It cannot crack, or separate, like the latter, and the mode of making ornaments out of the former, enables the operator to give the design all the relief and finish neces- sary to complete a handsome article. This last method of making ornaments out of carton papier will no doubt be- come generally used in the course of a few years, for we cannot see how it is possible to discover a more suitable ma- terial, or a better method for making the innumerable variety of ornaments now employed, as well as the numer- ous styles that will be designed in the future. At one period, ornaments made of