Good question: it doesn't have that shiny, slippery look I associate with
horsehair, plus I can see the woven cotton backing in one place--that is
clearly not horsehair. I feel like this finish was applied or painted onto
one side of a brushed cotton cloth.

Peggy Derrick, Curator

La Crosse County Historical Society

P.O. 1272

La Crosse WI 54602

608-782-1980

On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 12:10 PM, Dee Stubbs-Lee
<[log in to unmask]>wrote:

> Might it be that the upholstery was horsehair? That could resemble the
> appearance you described.****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> *Dee A. Stubbs-Lee, MA, CAPC*
>
> Conservator****
>
> The New Brunswick Museum****
>
> Saint John, New Brunswick****
>
> Canada****
>
> E2K 1E5****
>
> tel: (506) 643-2341****
>
> www.nbm-mnb.ca****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* Textile Conservators [mailto:[log in to unmask]] *On
> Behalf Of *Peggy Derrick
> *Sent:* Friday, February 15, 2013 2:05 PM
> *To:* [log in to unmask]
> *Subject:* Fire truck upholstery****
>
> ** **
>
> The La Crosse County Historical Society would like to reupholster the seat
> on its 1922 American La France fire truck and I am trying to determine what
> the original fabric was, and what is my best option for a correct
> replacement. At first I thought it was upholstered in black leather, but
> upon examination I realized I was looking at a heavy woven cotton with a
> surface treatment to make it black and waterproof. The fabric itself is not
> in terrible shape, but the sewing thread is rotting. Maybe we should just
> stitch it back together? I'm curious to know what the surface treatment is:
> rubber? It's not crumbling or stiff like old rubber. Paint? Ditto. Vinyl?
> Isn't 1922 too early for vinyl?****
>
> Are there any simple tests I could subject a tiny bit to, to analyze it?
> And while I'm asking all these questions, does anyone have a recommendation
> on what to recover it with?****
>
> Thank you all so much!****
>
> ** **
>
> Peggy Derrick, Curator****
>
> La Crosse County Historical Society****
>
> P.O. 1272****
>
> La Crosse WI 54602****
>
> 608-782-1980****
>
> ** **
>