Calvin Jean

Calvin Jean — marelibri

White House Renovation Candlestick

1929réf. 19234Washington D.C.: National Lumber Manufacturers Association 1929. Limited Edition. Wood. Near fine. A souvenir candlestick made from longleaf pine removed from the roof of the White House during the 1927 renovation. Base measures 4.25 inches height is 7.25 inches. Light wear from handling with visible longleaf pine grain throughout. Label affixed to the bottom panel with details about the provenance and craftsmanship. This candlestick was produced in 1929 by the National Lumber Manufacturers Association which purchased the largest quantity of the historic roof timbers at auction in March 1928 for $4.00 per foot. The original pine roof was laid in 1816 and remained in place for 112 years before being replaced. The salvaged lumber was used for souvenir gavels plaques furniture and related presentation pieces with the NLMA distributing candlesticks to promote the use of wood as a building material. Wayne Smith White House p. 40-43 A unique piece of White House history. The White House roof was reconstructed in 1927 following a $375000 congressional appropriation for the rebuilding of the roof attic and ceilings of the second story. The work began on March 14 1927 with a temporary wooden roof erected over the Executive Mansion to protect the interior while the old roof structure was removed. The original wooden trusses had been installed during the reconstruction of the White House after the British burning of Washington in 1814 and had supported the roof for 112 years. Although many of the old timbers remained in sound condition the attic had been overloaded for storage and portions of the truss system showed structural failure deflection and insect damage. Salvaged sections of the historic longleaf pine were later sold and repurposed into souvenirs. White House Timber 1929. National Lumber Manufacturers Association unknown books