Friday, April 20, 2013
James D. Julia
Salesman Samples
I mentioned the other day that I should keep a log or "idea book" so I can look for new sources of images or keep track of my posts. I should! I had not visited the James D. Julia site for a while, and I got 2 great surprises.
First, all of the images below were from 1 auction (November 30, 2012) are of 1 of my favourite "items". They're not really toys, but what are called salesman samples. Salesman would travel on trains (early 1900's) with these exceptional models to show farmers what the "real machine" would look like. The reason for this is that this was the early 20th century. The truly only way to get across America was by train. Roads were "scarce", except for the large cities, and asphalt was not used too much. And Henry Ford would only start up his company about this time.
My second surprise was that this auction now presented large-sized images. I didn't have to do anything to the images but change their sizes from let's say 22 inches wide @ 72 DPI to 11 inches @ 144 DPI. Also, I just added the usual copyright notice at the bottom, and made the shadows show more detail in Photoshop (Image>> Adjust >> Highlights/Shadows).
Of course, if you want to see more of these items and the rest of the auction, you can go to the web address below and click on it. As you then click on each image, you can further enlarge it!
Salesman Sample Disc Harrow
(L x W x H): 14" x 13 1/2" x 6 1/4" 355mm 343mm x 165mm
A harrow is a farming machine for digging up the soil and cutting weeds and remnants of crops from the season before.
Salesman Sample Hay Tedder
Manufacturer: Dr. J.H. Goodell & Son, Model Makers, Marseilles, Illinois (USA)
Gear Driven as it's pulled along, and having a lever at the wheels for height adjustment.
A tedder was a machine that would "fluff up" or aerate the hay after it was cut.
Doing this allowed the hay to dry faster, lose moisture, and not rot in the field.
L x W: 17" x 15" .432M x .381M
Salesman Sample Seeder with Original Box
Manufacturer: E.A. Havens, Peoria, Illinois (USA)
Nickel-plated machine that would cut trough the soil, and drop seeds at the same time.
L x W x H: 18" x 11 1/2" x 11 1/2" .457M x .292M x .292M
Salesman Sample Gale Chilled Plow
Manufacturer: Gale Manufacturing Company, Albion Michigan, (USA)
Written patent dates on the item from 1874-1876
L x H: 26" x 11" .660M x .280M
This item would be pulled by a team of horses and dig up the soil for planting.
Manufacturer: Gale Manufacturing Company, Albion Michigan, (USA)
Written patent dates on the item from 1874-1876
L x H: 26" x 11" .660M x .280M
This item would be pulled by a team of horses and dig up the soil for planting.
Salesman Sample Hay Bale or Grain Elevator
Marked as Blue Barrow Bantam Seed Burrow
Has a miniature electric motor, so this particular machine
must have been made later than the 1900's
L x W: 66" x 11" 1.677M x .280M
Salesman Sample Hay Loader
Wood Frame with Cast Iron Wheels.
The tines (prongs at the bottom) would rake the cut hay on the ground, and the chain-drive mechanism would move the hay to a waiting wagon.
W x H x Depth: 11" x 12" x 12" .280M x .305M x .305M
Salesman Sample Seeder
Nickel (Plated) and Wood.
This item would break the soil, and then have seeds drop through funnelled tubes.
The 2 handles adjust the height of the 4 spikes used for digging.
H x W: 12" x 12" .305M x .305M
Salesman Sample Hopper Car
Wood and brass construction which is described as "unusual".
A hopper is a wagon for loading and unloading produce (e.g. corn). Underneath the hopper is a
mechanism that allows the bottom to open and close (like the bomb bay doors of a WWII airplane).
The wagon would go above a storage area with an opening and then drop its load there.
L x W x H: 16" x 9" x 6" .403M x .229M x .153M
A Salesman Sample Ladder Wagon
Described as "Unusual" (Probably meant rarer) wagon described as being used by firemen or farmers for reaching extra-tall areas. The ladders are affixed (Attached) to turntables, allowing the ladders to rotate and angle for a full range of movements.
The front and rear wheels are different as 1 set was most likely replaced.
Length: 16" .405M
It's interesting how most of us will never see such machines, or don't even know what these words mean. Of course, if you're an avid reader or even plays Scrabble, you'd most likely know many of these words!
Described as "Unusual" (Probably meant rarer) wagon described as being used by firemen or farmers for reaching extra-tall areas. The ladders are affixed (Attached) to turntables, allowing the ladders to rotate and angle for a full range of movements.
The front and rear wheels are different as 1 set was most likely replaced.
Length: 16" .405M
It's interesting how most of us will never see such machines, or don't even know what these words mean. Of course, if you're an avid reader or even plays Scrabble, you'd most likely know many of these words!
Don't forget that you can also view these images enlarged or as a slide show.
If you really want to see exceptional and intricate detail, that's the way!
Thanks for dropping by,
and as always,
have a great part of the day,
and enjoy the weekend, wherever you may be.
Stacey
No comments:
Post a Comment