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December 25, 2008
From what era is this linoleum?
We're pulling up tons of layers of flooring in our Bushwick house, in order to expose the subfloor, which we'll eventually sand and refinish. Most of the linoleum is from the 50s and later, but this bit seems older and we only found this one little section, where it seems to have been stuck under a wall that got built over it who knows how long ago. That wall is long gone, so we have no reference.
Any ideas? I'm sure some of you have seen similar stuff in your houses. Thanks!
Comments
Turns out it's paper-backed and almost looks hand-painted -- which seems ridiculous, but I don't know how else to describe the pattern's imperfections.
Posted by: Jeremy at December 25, 2008 4:22 PM
Patterns like these that resemble Spanish tile were very popular in the early 70s. The ground floor of the house I grew up in had flooring like this throughout, except in the living room, which was wall to wall carpet.
But if you think it's real linoleum and not vinyl, then it could be from the 1930s. Jane Powell has a book about linoleum. (Though I vastly prefer her other two books about old kitchens and bathrooms.)
Posted by: mopar at December 26, 2008 12:07 AM
I'm pretty sure what you've uncovered is a piece of congoleum or felt-based rug, and not linoleum. You can read more detail at: http://www.oldhousejournal.com/Linoleum_Rugs/magazine/1471
There's a really wonderful American Vintage Flickr stream that documents lots of quirky and imaginative early design and linoleum floors at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/10197266@N05/
For information about vintage linoleum, try calling or visiting Second Hand Rose: http://www.secondhandrose.com/linol/main.htm
For a contemporary, idiosyncratic artist creatng custom inlaid cork and linoleum floors, see: http://www.inlayfloors.com/
Posted by: vinca at December 26, 2008 9:11 AM
Thanks! Based on the first link, I think we figured out it's pre-1913 congoleum. It seems to almost certainly be printed by hand, though machines back then weren't as precise as now, so who knows.
Posted by: Jeremy at December 26, 2008 1:37 PM
If it hasn't crossed your mind already, and the flooring is still somewhat intact, you might want to contact a preservation or historical organization, for example: Brooklyn Historical Society, (718) 222-4111, www.brooklynhistory.org
or the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, (212) 431-0233, www.tenement.org
Posted by: vinca at December 26, 2008 2:44 PM
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