On our way back from the Casa Grande National Monument, Prehistoric Ruins, we stopped at the Pinal County Historical Society Museum in Florence.
This is a very nicely organized museum, the displays are well done, not jammed into too small spaces, and representative of the area.
I think possibly one of their most unusual and wonderful displays was of saguaro furniture donated to the museum by Maude M. Havins, which was designed and constructed by R. O. Perry in the late 1930's to early 1940's.
Isn't that just the best?? True works of art. In fact, the signage stated that he cared more for the art of the furniture than making his art into a business success.
Then, there is this typewriter, with the most unusual keyboard I have seen. This is a Smith Premier No. 4.
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| At least it is a qwerty keyboard. |
There was a dinner table set in a lovely collection of dinner wear called Mexicana, manufactured by the Homer Laughlin Company in the late 1930's, said to be highly collectible, I can see why.
*The photos of the saguaro furniture were tweaked for color, I had my Sony set on the wrong setting and they turned out quite yellow. The photo of the purpled glass may also be a bit off from true color as the entire collection was in a glass case, giving the photographer (Moi) a bit of a challenge (by then, I had discovered the error in the settings and had corrected same.)
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4 comments:
Great Shots! The furniture is extraordinary, such intricate work. Is the second piece a desk, or a press of some kind? I love the typewriter. It's all real and all created by human hands, nothing virtual about it. I hope we (earthlings) don't lose the ability to create such beauty.
Cheers!
Jennifer
Interesting typewriter with two sets of keys.
While at a museum last year we learned that the terms Upper and Lower case came from the print shops where they had to set the print by hand. The capitol letters which were used less were kept in the higher cases (upper) and the non capitol letters which were used the most were kept in the bottom (lower case) which was closer to their hands and work plate.
Love these all, but the furniture really speaks to me. Very comparable to the twig furniture I used to see on porches in Tennessee when I was a girl. There's something wonderful about using just what is available.
For those that may be interested I have had several posts over at Reflection's Flora and Fauna that are on Saguaro, the plant from which this furniture is made.
Jennifer, I believe that 2nd photo, may be a drop down desk. I did not go "into" the exhibit to investigate closer.
PalmsRV, how interesting is that little tidbit?? Thanks for sharing.
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