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[Arthur P. Allen—Fire Proof Lumber]
Company album demonstrating the resilience of Fire-Proof lumber, depicted in a 12-image sequence of “the most unique Fire Test ever made”, 1926
Photo album; silver prints (60) and related ephemera
Each 8 x 10 inches
Most with manuscript captions recto, other annotations throughout.
Most with manuscript captions recto, other annotations throughout.
Further images
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This album was produced to showcase the patented wood-treating and drying processes of Arthur P. Allen. After a three-page introduction and a list of photographic “exhibits” contained within, there are...
This album was produced to showcase the patented wood-treating and drying processes of Arthur P. Allen. After a three-page introduction and a list of photographic “exhibits” contained within, there are a number of compelling images showing different examples of treated and untreated wood (which recall Ruscha’s “New Wood, Old Wood”).
These views are followed by the centerpiece of the album, a series of photos which show “the most unique fire test ever made.” The event in question took place in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1926, and was organized by Allen with a showman’s flair. Allen and company constructed a small frame building with Yellow Pine and Western Cedar shingles. The right side of the building was treated using his patented Fire-Proofing Process and the left side was untreated. The public was called on to attend (an unused printed invitation is included with the album) along with the fire department and an orchestra. The building was then set alight and when the smoke cleared, the right side remained and the left side was nothing but kindling. The attendees were then allowed to use their invitation as a ticket to make a “personal examination” of the cottage.
This demonstration is relayed through a series of sequential photographs, each bearing timestamps and captions in the negative. The majority of these images have been elaborately hand-painted, with bold swaths of red and orange applied to the images by an unknown photo-colorist. The uncanniness of the endeavor (the destruction of half a cottage) coupled with the uniqueness of the presentation turns a utilitarian document into a deeply compelling, proto-modern photographic object.
These views are followed by the centerpiece of the album, a series of photos which show “the most unique fire test ever made.” The event in question took place in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1926, and was organized by Allen with a showman’s flair. Allen and company constructed a small frame building with Yellow Pine and Western Cedar shingles. The right side of the building was treated using his patented Fire-Proofing Process and the left side was untreated. The public was called on to attend (an unused printed invitation is included with the album) along with the fire department and an orchestra. The building was then set alight and when the smoke cleared, the right side remained and the left side was nothing but kindling. The attendees were then allowed to use their invitation as a ticket to make a “personal examination” of the cottage.
This demonstration is relayed through a series of sequential photographs, each bearing timestamps and captions in the negative. The majority of these images have been elaborately hand-painted, with bold swaths of red and orange applied to the images by an unknown photo-colorist. The uncanniness of the endeavor (the destruction of half a cottage) coupled with the uniqueness of the presentation turns a utilitarian document into a deeply compelling, proto-modern photographic object.