Posted by cam bortz on July 07, 2003
Rick SacksI recently did work for a renovated theater on Block Island. The theater had begun life as a roller skating rink in 1906, and was converted to a theatre in the 20's. The present owner found an original oilcloth banner "all crumpled up in a ball"(his words) underneath the stage during renovations, it advertises roller skating for 3 cents/hour. The owner said he just stretched it out, sponged off eighty years of grime, and hung it up on the inside wall. The writing, black on white, is clearly legible, no visible flaking or peeling - a remarkable testament to the longevity of white lead and lampblack, and a great looking period piece.
Danny BaronianCam, when I was an apprentice there were still smalt sobs on framed oil cloth. We used to do many framed oil cloth signs, stretching the fabric and stapleingon the back or edges like stretching silk on a screen. The stuff seemed to last.
Kent SmithCam, so what does it cost to skate there now?
And where are the pictures of the banner, along with the work you did on the Island?
Danny
ditto
Denver Chapter of the Letterheads