Author: Gregory Herringshaw

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Image features a blue wallpaper with alternating images of a naval battle and a portrait of Commodore Isaac Hull. Please scroll down to read the blog post about this object.
Wallpaper Commemorates American Naval Victory
This wallpaper commemorates Commodore Isaac Hull and the first important American naval victory of the War of 1812 in a battle between the USS Constitution and the British frigate HMS Guerriere. Commodore Hull was credited for the victory owing to his superior seamanship, even though the Constitution was nearly 50% larger with a better firing...
Read Time
2 minutes
Posted By
Gregory Herringshaw
Date
July 17, 2019
Image features a wallpaper printed in greens, reds, browns and yellows on a glazed cream ground, illustrating scenes from the poem "The Diverting History of John Gilpin." The vignettes include Gilpin riding his horse, and highway and tavern scenes in a random arrangement, with lines from the poem accompanying each one. Please scroll down to read the blog post about this object.
John Gilpin’s Diverting Ride
Early children’s wallpapers were designed to be educational, with many based on popular books. This wallpaper illustrates four scenes from William Cowper’s poem The Diverting History of John Gilpin written in the 1780s. The story contains some silly antics that would capture the fancy of children. The nutshell version of the tale goes like this:...
Read Time
2 minutes
Posted By
Gregory Herringshaw
Date
July 11, 2019
Image shows a mid-century wallpaper design containing vignettes pertaining to a backyard barbecue or picnic. Please scroll down for additional information on this object.
Wallpaper Celebrates Leisure Activities
Since I was fortunate enough to have my blog posted on July 4 I thought I would write about something holiday specific. Not always an easy task as wallpaper is a long-term commitment, so there are few papers that display seasonal activities or special holidays. In years past I’ve written about the American War of...
Read Time
2 minutes
Posted By
Gregory Herringshaw
Date
July 4, 2019
Image features Andy Warhol's iconic Cow wallpaper with a large salmon-colored cow head on a blue background. Please scroll down to read the blog post about this object.
Deja Moo
In celebration of World Pride, June Object of the Day posts highlight LGBTQ+ designers and design in the collection. I would have to give the honor of the most iconic wallpaper to Andy Warhol for his creation of Cow wallpaper. Cow was first shown at the Leo Castelli Gallery in New York in 1966, which...
Read Time
2 minutes
Posted By
Gregory Herringshaw
Date
June 21, 2019
Image features a rustic wallpaper design containing a haphazard arrangement of twigs. Please scroll down to read the blog post about this object.
All Sticks, No Stones
In celebration of World Pride, June Object of the Day posts highlight LGBTQ+ designers and design in the collection. Kennebec is a fun, playful wallpaper pattern that would hang unobtrusively on the wall, adding a bit of color and texture to the room. The design is rustic in nature, given that it has the appearance...
Read Time
2 minutes
Posted By
Gregory Herringshaw
Date
June 17, 2019
Image shows a repeating pattern of dots that scale from small to large and back to small, printed in two columns. Please scroll down for further information on this piece.
Dot Those Walls
In celebration of World Pride, June Object of the Day posts highlight LGBTQ+ designers and design in the collection. Infinity is a pattern of dots that scale from small to large back to small, printed in two columns across the width. When seen from a distance the design is slightly reminiscent of crocodile hide. I...
Read Time
2 minutes
Posted By
Gregory Herringshaw
Date
June 12, 2019
Image shows a wallpaper with bright red cherries on a green Mylar ground. Please scroll down to read the blog post about this object.
A Very Fragrant Wallpaper
In celebration of World Pride, June Object of the Day posts highlight LGBTQ+ designers and design in the collection. This is one of my favorite novelty papers as it appeals to a number of senses and is more than just a pretty wallpaper. I find myself drawn to the complementary colors, with the bright red...
Read Time
2 minutes
Posted By
Gregory Herringshaw
Date
June 6, 2019
Image shows a wallpaper with interlocked drapery swags and lace border. Please scroll down for additional information on this piece.
Draping the Walls
I wanted to share this unusual trompe l’oeil drapery wallpaper, where a length of fabric swags slightly then twists around another fabric swag, creating a diaper or trellis-like pattern. The fabric is adorned with a lace trim and tassels made of strung pearls. The bottom section of this panel is a wide border that shows...
Read Time
2 minutes
Posted By
Gregory Herringshaw
Date
May 28, 2019
Image features a wallpaper ceiling border containing a water mill and cat tails. Please scroll down to read the blog post about this object.
Looking Up to Landscapes
If you’ve ever thought it might be nice to be a fly on the wall, think about the fun you could have with a bird’s eye view from the ceiling. You could be part of the beautiful ceiling decoration that was so fashionable during the Gilded Age. Today’s wallpaper would have been part of that...
Read Time
2 minutes
Posted By
Gregory Herringshaw
Date
May 22, 2019