Old mahogany patterns from cast iron foundry

[mreich]

I could use some advice, please. I demonstrate occasionally in the pattern shop of a closed cast iron foundry that is being turned into a non-profit industrial museum. (Believe it or not, on a early 1900's lathe run by a belt driven by a central shaft.) I had no idea of the skill (and artistic) levels of these industrial turners. They seemed to have mostly used shopmade scrapers and an occasional roughing gouge. When the patterns are cleaned up they are beautiful - mostly made of mahogany and spanish cedar. They run the gamut from manhole covers and fireplace fronts to grates and gears. some of the patterns are raather big.
There are well 10,000 of these patterns and they were planning to throw most of them away. The project has been largely funded by one individual and it needs to become self-sustaining or close to it. I think there is significant value in this collection of patterns (some probably dating back to the late 1800's) but I have had no luck finding the market for them. I'm using some of the broken ones to make some salad bowls, but I've seen them used as wall hangings in homes and businesses. Who would buy some of these patterns and how do I find them?
Sorry for the long message but I welcome all thoughts and ideas.

 

[Bowen Turner]

Mike,
What about posting a couple of pictures here, and at the other chat group. I am sure you would have some takers. Depending upon the price I would even be interested........I like all things old!

 

[Whit]

Mike,

There's also eBay. Who knows. Sometime that can be very effective.

Whit

 

[Steve Worcester]

Who would buy some of these patterns and how do I find them?

I am guessing that many of them would be of historical value, but mostly to pattern makers and wood turners. Personally, I would be interested in the more intricate ones as wall hangings

 

[gran]

Please post some pics. These sound interesting.

 

[terry q]

Mike

My job as an engineer puts me in contact with pattern shops and foundries. I was fortunate to get a couple truck loads of some obsolete foundry tooling. It is some of the prettiest Mahogany I have ever seen. I have shared a lot with members of my turning club. The one thing I learned is they don't want old patterns, they want pieces "ready" to turn. I did all the work of taking them apart and cutting into useable pieces. Before I took them into my shop I power washed them to remove the foundry dust.

Anyone that is lucky enough to get their hands on some of this old Mahogany will not be sorry.

Terry

 

[Dr_dewey]

what are they??

From the description provided - are these wooden patterns for making sand castings?? and then molten metal is poured in? Very nice then. Sure would appreciate some pics.

 

[mreich]

Thanks for the advice. I will happily post some pictures but it will probably be a week or so before they show up. I have searched EBay for an hour or two and came up with nothing but antique iron castings. Seems to be a pretty good market in those - just not in the patterns used to make them.

 

[terry q]

Mike

I did an ebay search for Mahogany lumber and had 58 hits.

Good luck
Terry

 

[woodwish]

I bought the patterns for some old gears several years ago in an antique shop, look beautiful in our den. I actually installed stained glass in one of them, basically used it as a frame. I have seen others in antique stores for big $$$. I suggest putting a few on Ebay and people will buy them as antiques, just don't swamp the market at one time. I would imagine you could make $1000's on these over the period of a year or so, just as is (be sure to not clean them or they won't look old!).

Ray

 

[J. Fred Muggs]

Mike:
I have seen a number of old mahogany casting patterns for sale at an antiques flea market in Charlotte, NC. They've had prices from around $10 to around $50 depending on size and complexity. Apparently they are selling.

With 10,000 of them as you say, you might raise some serious money by parsing them out to flea markets and antique dealers around the country.

Personally, I really enjoy looking at thepatterns for varo=ious parts and trying to figure out what it was a part for. Some are gimmes, :cool2: sometimes it's really tough. 😎

 

[Bruceyp]

I have also seen these used as is, or incorporated with other items as decoration. I can't wait to see the Photos. Give us first shot at the bidding. Bythe way, I think this is a great project. I have always been interested in the history of industry and how things were made before the virtual world, and the craftspeople who created all of that stuff.
BP