Roger Young
display sample collector
Can you help by adding to our data base on Old Town ‘display models’???
A few years ago, a search of the Old Town build records (as scanned and preserved by WCHA), revealed at least 81 entries WITH SERIAL #’s assigned to ‘display models’ and ‘sign canoes’. Most of these relate to the more typical 4’ and 8’ advertising pieces usually seen; a few were assigned to 10’, 11’ and 12’ canoes, used for this purpose pre-1920. It is the 4’ and 8’ display models with which we seek help.
One of the problems in positively identifying OT models and authentically tracing them through their serial #’s is that few, if any, had the actual numbers stamped into their stems or written somewhere on the model, as was customarily done for full-size canoes. However, a few models have recently been seen which have a couple of digits written on their stems. One of these has a “3” along with a “4”, the two being separated by a generous space. Another has a “6”, a space and a “4”. We believe there may be some that have an “8”, along with a second digit.
What seems likely is that the “4” or “8” refer to the length. One current theory has it that the other number, such as the “3” or the “6”, relate to the sequence in which the model was built on the mould then being used. It thus could be possible to relate those models chronologically to the particular record and serial number found in our data base. The build card for canoe model #3 lacks sufficient information to establish whether this “identification theory” is sound. The build card for #6 shows that the detailed description of paint and added details (i.e., “gold stripe, Greek key”) accurately fit the original and untouched model as it still appears today. Possibly the theory works. But we need more examples to really know.
So, here’s how you may be able to help. Do you own a 4’ or 8’ Old Town display sample? Do you know someone who does? If so, please look (or ask them to look), to see whether there are any pencil or ink numbers on the stems along the floor. Along with a “4” or “8”, which should appear at the stem end, there may also be a single (e.g., “3”) or double (e.g., “16”) digit number. If you find anything, could you please let us know, either here or by PM to Benson or myself. It would be great if you could include a photo, and most helpful if you could describe the paint color and any added details such as “turned down ends”, “gold stripe”, etc. A photo of any decal would also help.
This theory likely only works for models made from 1920 onwards. If your model has a brand name along the sides that says “genuine Old Town Canoe Co. canoes”, it is likely pre-1920. We would like to know what you find in any event. If your model has the shorter brand name “Old Town Canoe”, it is more likely to be post-1920, and could help substantiate the ‘identification theory’. We will be happy to let you know where we think your canoe fits (i.e., when built, where shipped) in the overall OT records, according to the build record and serial # in the data base.
Thanks for your help. Pleased to answer any questions.
Roger Young and Benson Gray.
A few years ago, a search of the Old Town build records (as scanned and preserved by WCHA), revealed at least 81 entries WITH SERIAL #’s assigned to ‘display models’ and ‘sign canoes’. Most of these relate to the more typical 4’ and 8’ advertising pieces usually seen; a few were assigned to 10’, 11’ and 12’ canoes, used for this purpose pre-1920. It is the 4’ and 8’ display models with which we seek help.
One of the problems in positively identifying OT models and authentically tracing them through their serial #’s is that few, if any, had the actual numbers stamped into their stems or written somewhere on the model, as was customarily done for full-size canoes. However, a few models have recently been seen which have a couple of digits written on their stems. One of these has a “3” along with a “4”, the two being separated by a generous space. Another has a “6”, a space and a “4”. We believe there may be some that have an “8”, along with a second digit.
What seems likely is that the “4” or “8” refer to the length. One current theory has it that the other number, such as the “3” or the “6”, relate to the sequence in which the model was built on the mould then being used. It thus could be possible to relate those models chronologically to the particular record and serial number found in our data base. The build card for canoe model #3 lacks sufficient information to establish whether this “identification theory” is sound. The build card for #6 shows that the detailed description of paint and added details (i.e., “gold stripe, Greek key”) accurately fit the original and untouched model as it still appears today. Possibly the theory works. But we need more examples to really know.
So, here’s how you may be able to help. Do you own a 4’ or 8’ Old Town display sample? Do you know someone who does? If so, please look (or ask them to look), to see whether there are any pencil or ink numbers on the stems along the floor. Along with a “4” or “8”, which should appear at the stem end, there may also be a single (e.g., “3”) or double (e.g., “16”) digit number. If you find anything, could you please let us know, either here or by PM to Benson or myself. It would be great if you could include a photo, and most helpful if you could describe the paint color and any added details such as “turned down ends”, “gold stripe”, etc. A photo of any decal would also help.
This theory likely only works for models made from 1920 onwards. If your model has a brand name along the sides that says “genuine Old Town Canoe Co. canoes”, it is likely pre-1920. We would like to know what you find in any event. If your model has the shorter brand name “Old Town Canoe”, it is more likely to be post-1920, and could help substantiate the ‘identification theory’. We will be happy to let you know where we think your canoe fits (i.e., when built, where shipped) in the overall OT records, according to the build record and serial # in the data base.
Thanks for your help. Pleased to answer any questions.
Roger Young and Benson Gray.
