Name/Title
Wallpaper Sample, Reception Hall 1217 Oak Street, 1882-1886Entry/Object ID
1975.17.1Description
ACC. NO. 75.17.1
SUBJECT CATEGORY: HOMES OF ALAMEDA
DATE OR PERIOD: 1890's
OBJECT: WALLPAPER SAMPLE
DESCRIPTION: PAPER, DARK RED DESIGN (SERIES OF DOTS & LINES) APPLIED OVER RED BACKGROUND. A STYLISTIC GREEN FLOWER (REMINISCENT OF ART NOUVEAU) IS REPEATED EVERY 8 INCHES.
SIZE: 25" X 12".
HISTORY OF OBJECT: THIS IS THE ORIGINAL PAPER (RECEPTION HALL) OF AN ITALIANATE COTTAGE, 1217 OAK STREET, CIRCA 1882-86. THE COTTAGE, ONE OF TWO DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE NEW ALAMEDA HIGH SCHOOL, WAS TO BE SPARED. BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE CAMPAIGN TO SAVE THEM CAME TO LATE. THIS VIVID SAMPLE OF PAPER WAS EXPOSED AFTER THE OWNER REMOVED A (CABINET OR MIRROR?) THAT HAD BEEN AFFIXED TO THE WALL OF THE HALL FOR MANY YEARS. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HALL PLASTER HAD BEEN ORIGINALLY PAINTED GREY, AND THEN AT A LATER DATE THE FIRST WALLPAPER APPLIED. OF WHICH THIS IS AN EXAMPLE. THE HOME (ONE OF THREE) IS ATTRIBUTED TO W. P. CLARK, CONTRACTOR & BUILDER (LISTED IN THE CITY DIRECTORY FOR ALAMEDA, 1880-81, AS LIVING ON SANTA CLARA AVENUE, BETWEEN CHESTNUT & LAFAYETTE,
ACQUIRED FROM: GEORGE GUNN, CURATOR
DATE: JULY 19, 1975
