Abstract:
The purpose of this research project was to provide a resource for
individuals doing historic restoration and preservation of buildings
built between 1850 and 1900 in Oregon. The research attempted to determine
the styles, patterns, and colors of wallpaper that were used, who
applied the wallpaper, the methods of application, and the sources of
the wallpaper.
Data collection instruments were developed to record information
about styles, patterns, and methods of application from photographs of
Oregon interiors taken before 1900; information about styles, patterns,
and colors from illustrated advertisements and existing examples of wallpaper;
information about services offered and products carried by individuals
or companies who were associated with wallpaper as advertised in
non-illustrated advertisements; and how long individuals or companies associated
with wallpaper were in business.
The sources consulted were selected issues of the Portland
Oregonian between 1851-1900, Portland City Directory between 1863-
1900, the West Shore magazine from 1876-1891; and mail-order catalogs
for Montgomery Ward and Company (1895) and Sears and Roebuck Company
(1897 and 1902), photographs in the residence files of the Oregon
Historical Society, and existing examples of wallpaper.
The most popular styles were the Arts and Crafts style and the
Transitional style. The most popular patterns were the floral pattern
and the arabesque/scroll pattern. There were not enough photographs or
examples illustrating color to draw a conclusion about the most
frequently used colors, although greens, browns, and creams were the
most frequently listed in the mail-order catalogs advertisements.
The wallpaper was applied by painters until 1885, when paperhanging
began to be a more specialized occupation. Before the 1880's,
wallpaper was sold by stores which dealt in carpets, furniture, and oilcloths,
but during the late 1880's, it began to be sold almost exclusively
by the paint dealers.
The method of application most frequently seen in the photographs
was one pattern from floor to ceiling, followed closely by one pattern
from floor to frieze, with a coordinating pattern on the frieze.
The wallpaper was obtained by ship as early as 1851 from San
Francisco or New York. After introduction of the railroad in 1883, it
began to arrive by rail either directly to the dealer or to the home
owner after ordering from a mail-order catalog.
