The diversity of Maine canoe builders in the late 1800s is clearly illustrated on page two from the August 25th, 1899 issue of the Phillips Phonograph newspaper as shown in the links below.
The town of Phillips is near Rangeley, Maine. See http://digitalmaine.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1359&context=phillips_phonograph for the rest of the paper.
I found these interesting for a number of reasons. Gerrish clearly claims to be the "Originator and Man'f'r of CANVAS CANOES and Row Boats." Gould cites at patent for a "Reenforced (sic) Gunwale. A patent of our own. No rights sold to anybody. Also Piano Polish on canvas. Something new." but I haven't found any references to this in the patent database. The other builders include Morris, Leavitt, Twaddle, and Thatcher from Maine along with the Osgood Portable Boat Company from Battle Creek, Michigan. (See http://adirondack.pastperfectonline.com/library/AF18E9F8-9FBE-4C00-9A29-723291996314 for more information about Osgood.) This information prompted several changes to the list at http://wcha.org/catalogs/maine-list.htm of Maine canoe builders.
Benson
The town of Phillips is near Rangeley, Maine. See http://digitalmaine.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1359&context=phillips_phonograph for the rest of the paper.
I found these interesting for a number of reasons. Gerrish clearly claims to be the "Originator and Man'f'r of CANVAS CANOES and Row Boats." Gould cites at patent for a "Reenforced (sic) Gunwale. A patent of our own. No rights sold to anybody. Also Piano Polish on canvas. Something new." but I haven't found any references to this in the patent database. The other builders include Morris, Leavitt, Twaddle, and Thatcher from Maine along with the Osgood Portable Boat Company from Battle Creek, Michigan. (See http://adirondack.pastperfectonline.com/library/AF18E9F8-9FBE-4C00-9A29-723291996314 for more information about Osgood.) This information prompted several changes to the list at http://wcha.org/catalogs/maine-list.htm of Maine canoe builders.
Benson
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