Architecture

1719 · réf. 56262 — Cedar Falls IA & Tigard OR: Wagner Manufacturing Co.; Orlo R.W. Hossack Architect & Salesman for H.F. Bonesteele 1917-1927. 1st - 4to. Approx. 150 pp sections separately paginated inserts. w/ four linen-backed silver gelatin photos sized 6.5 x 7 in. up to 8 x 10 in. 3 mounted on white linen hinges w/ whole punches at gutter margin colour inserts mimeographed price lists & order forms over 100 text illustrations & diagrams blue printed softcovers all preserved in limp leather 3-ring binder gilt lettering stamped on front cover minor shelfwear rubbing; 2nd - 4to. 15 1 pp. With text illustrations photos self-printed colour softcovers cover art of garage door being opened minor shelfwear; 3rd - 4to. 32 pp unpaginated. colour-printed title numerous text illustrations Gray-green illustrated softcovers split-pin binding yapp edges minor rubbing edgewear creasing to couple corners; 5th -- 2 copies. 16mo. 8 pp unpaginated. printed leporello accordion-style format illustrated & printed in red & black minor shelfwear; 6th - Folio. 9 x 16 in. 4 pieces. 2 pp unpaginated. broadsides text illustrations photos fold creases still VG; 7th -- 8vo. Approx. 100 leaves mostly carbon copies of orders all written in manuscript most located dated and signed at lower right corner by Hossack salesman limp red leatherette covers silk moire endpapers gilt stamping front cover some chipping edgewear rubbing; together with 8th -- Salesman Sample Case containing garage door sliding Model No. 58 from quarter-sawn oak featuring full-sized hardware sized 18.5 x 18 in. two Wagner rolling garage door & elevator door sets steel brackets all preserved in hardshell sample case sized 20 x 30.25 x 5 in. fitted w/ nickel-plated corners bosses on bottom handle and clasps khaki-coloured cloth lining and pockets scuffing edgewear still VG exemplar originally owned and used by Orlo Ray William Hossack 1891-1937 a Portland architect real estate developer and salesman for Bonesteele to his clients. First editions thus of these catalogues and exceedingly rare complete salesman sample kit for the Wagner Manufacturing garage door hardware in the 1920s. After World War I the explosion and popularity of automobile ownership in the United States created a desperate need to house these often cantankerous and essential machines for homes businesses and commercial fleets. By quickly adapting their hardware sets for elevator doors first introduced before World War I Wagner was able to quickly capitalize on the market growth and need for door hardware to retrofit existing garages as well as new construction. Often coupled with doors produced by Johnson Fimbel Hartford Barber-Colman Overhead and Crawford the Wagner hardware sets proved durable and popular. In addition this sample kit features the specialized steel stud brackets developed by Wagner to help brace garages and sheds adapted for garage doors to hold automobiles as the weight of the doors could damage existing construction as Americans were interested in rolling doors and sectional garage doors rather than traditional swing-out barn-type doors. Wagner 1871-1937 originally founded his company in Cedar Falls IA in 1904 to manufacture children’s sleds coaster wagons and hay rack fixtures with a variety of door hardware. They merge with Star Elevator Doors before World War I and later with Boardman Elevator Control of Chicago with primary customers as Otis Elevator and Westinghouse. In 1934 Wagner began producing the iconic Wagner Overhead Garage Door and by the 1950s had become one of the largest garage door manufacturers in the country. Worldcat locates 1 copy of No. 25 Harvard; and 1 of Wagner-Star Elevator Door Cat Univ. of Kansas; no copies of the other catalogues or examples of the Salesman Sample Model in case. Wagner Manufacturing Co.; Orlo R.W. Hossack, Architect & Salesman for H.F. Bonesteele, paperback