Powers Bros (1 results)

Condition: Very Good -. N.p.: Powers Bros., 1895. Original wooden educational wall fixture (ca. 74x52cm.); complete with spinning scroll in twenty-three frames, each measuring ca. 17x48cm (or ca. 391x48cm. if completely unfurled); the first thirteen frames are printed in negative white over black, the following five are black on a white background, the final five are printed in color on a white background. Below the scroll are eight small compartments of varying sizes for holding chalk, pens and pencils (not present here). Earliest frames of the scroll quite worn with several large losses to the alphabet frames, dark dampstaining throughout. The frame itself remains in sturdy condition and the knobs turn the scroll easily. A Good to Very Good example. Variant of the popular late 19th-century teaching tool, first patented in 1885 though the copyright date repeated on most of the frames of this example are for 1895. The concept of a moveable household blackboard for children was first proposed at an educational Chautauqua assembly in the 1880s. Panels depict the alphabet (both print and cursive), easy arithmetic, flowers, animals, famous figures (Washington, Mikado Mutsuhito), a view of the recently-completed Brooklyn Bridge, and different drawing styles and color treatments and developments. The final panel of the scroll depicts a view of the Chautauqua Institute's Athenaeum Hotel, completed in 1881 and located on Lake Chautauqua in upstate New York. Reference: OCLC no. 52184781 (Penn State only).