Cutter, Linoleum

Object Name:

Cutter, Linoleum

Object ID:

1998.005.58

Place of Origin:

England/USA

Date:

1930-1969

Description:

Blades, linoleum, ten, in box. Blades metal with one arched mount end and one knife end. Blades numbered, 1 through 6. Nine of them have the maker's marks, "SPEEDBALL", "LINOLEUM / CUTTER", and "U.S.A." The other marked, "M.GRUMBACHER N.Y. / MADE IN ENGLAND", "BLOC / LINO / TOOL" and the U.S. patent no. 2010590. The box is a cardboard match box with an applied label, handwritten, "LINOLEUM / CARVING / TOOLS". Blades: 1.25" to 1.5" long. Box: 0.75" x 2.25" x 1.5".

Material:

Paper
Metal

Provenance:

Used by Jess D. Blackstone (1909-1988), bird carver, Pembroke, NH. Jess was taught bird carving by his father, Arthur M. Blackstone, who was also a linoleum block printer. Arthur and Jess worked together in Melrose, MA, in the 1930s. Jess began a solo career of bird carving c. 1940, when he and Edith moved to New Hampshire (listed as "craftsman" in Concord Directory, 1941-42). He focused on birds of NH. Jess is reported to have been the first bird carver in the League of NH Craftsmen. He continued bird carving into the 1980s.

Credit Line:

Gift of Jane Blackstone

People:

Blackstone, Jess (1909-1988)

Subjects:

Birds