April 2005 Monthly Report

Curatorial Staff

Janna Hermanson and Marge Antolik

The month of April was busy time for the staff of McFarland. Janna Hermanson began work on the conservation of the Wells Fargo coffeehouse sign. The sigh was double-coated with a mixture of B-72 resin, diluted in acetone and thinned with denatured alcohol. The B-72 resin can be completely removed at anytime with acetone and patience without harming the oil paint underneath. Conservator John Kjelland donated the resin. April also brought out the need to spring-clean in the curatorial staff. Janna cleaned and hung the two bicycles in the collection storage area, one of which is featured below. Americorps volunteers arrived on April 19 and after ‘basic’ training, went quickly to work helping with the backlog of objects from the Nevada City Boots and Shoes.

MMIO for April 2005.

The Columbia Double Grip 58-inch High-Wheel Bicycle, VC2003.06.72, made by Pope Manufacturing Company. The “Columbia” style, which was considered top-of-the-line, dominated the bicycle industry in the United States from 1877 to 1899. This style of bicycle is also as the Penny Farthing or Ordinary bicycle, and British engineer, James Starley, invented the first one in 1871. The Penny Farthing was the first really efficient bicycle, consisting of a small rear wheel and large front wheel pivoting on a simple tubular frame with tires of rubber. Riders purchased a wheel as large as their leg length would allow.

Historical Note: Because the rider sat so high above the center of gravity (just under 5 feet), if the front wheel was stopped by a stone or the sudden emergence of a dog, the entire apparatus rotated forward on its front axle, and the rider, with his legs trapped under the handlebars, was dropped unceremoniously on his head. Thus the term "taking a header" came into being.