Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Northwoods Paddle Article: Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors

A while back I had posted on the news that famed Maine Guide and paddle maker, Alexandra Conover Bennett, retired from paddlemaking. Her "North Woods Paddle"  has been passed on to  Shaw & Tenney Paddle Company who have added the traditional design to their line of commercial paddles.

A newly published article describing the Alexandra's paddle legacy appears in the May/June 2020 issue of Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors magazine. Author Donnie Mullen delves into the fascinating local history of the paddle design in his piece, "The Living Legacy of the North Woods Paddle". The article, complete with some photos by the author, is currently available for preview on the magazine's website.
Screenshot: Maine Boats, Homes & Harbor, May/June 2020, Issue 164


The issue also has another canoe-based article on two famed wood-canvas builders, Jerry Stelmok and Rollin Thurlow both of Atkinson, Maine.

Many thanks to blog reader, Joe D, for bringing these online readings to my attention.



Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Historic New England Canoe Paddle

From the Historic New England collection...

Canoe Paddle
Maker: Unknown
Description: Brown stained wood paddle without other decoration. Elongated circular shaft with a squared handle. Broad flat blade with a rounded top.
Associated Building: Original to Rundlet-May House (Portsmouth, N.H.),
Credit: Gift of Ralph May
Accession Number: 1971.1783



Friday, April 17, 2020

Historic Paddle Photo: Getty Museum - Maine Camp

Found another historic image depicting a camp in Maine courtesy of the J. Paul Getty Museum.

Camp Munna Mumma lungen. [Maine]
by William P. Dean (American, born Canada, 1835 - 1911)
Date: 1865–1875
Medium: Albumen silver print
Object Number: 84.XC.979.3228
Gift of Weston J. and Mary M. Naef


A closeup reveals the presence of an early canvas canoe in the foreground with a bark canoe in the rear. A few typical Maine style paddles are featured.












Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Mid 19th C. Northeastern Woodland Tiger Maple Paddle

Not sure how I missed this when it first came up for auction in 2017, now archived on Worthpoint.com...


 Northeastern Woodlands Painted Wood Paddle
first half 19th century, possibly Haudenosaunee (Iroquois)
tiger maple, 75 inch long by 5-1/2" wide
Painted in red and green, the color scheme may be suggestive of the upper and lower worlds, length 
Estimate: $3,000 - $3,500
Price Realized Including Buyer's Premium
$3,000
04/08/2017


Grip and shaft closeup







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