"The Original Rubber Store"

[Mutt]

Hi all,

Browsing through the Library of Congress, I came across this: http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage...D::&linkText=0 Not sure how they know it's from 1861, didn't see an explanation. Awesome list of "Waterproof and airtight goods".

Best,

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: "The Original Rubber Store"

Thats a really cool find. Thanks for posting the link.

[J.H.Berger]

Re: "The Original Rubber Store"

Air beds and pillows!!!?? Wow, I didn't know they already had those!!!

[4VADRUMMER]

Re: "The Original Rubber Store"

General Lee had one of those rubber air beds. It rolled up into a big blanket roll of sorts. I bet it was comfy to lay on!

[PvtStovall]

Re: "The Original Rubber Store"

I had no idea that so many rubber made items were around at that time, and I've never heard about General Lee's rubber air bed either. Very interesting info!

[GreencoatCross]

Re: "The Original Rubber Store"

Link to further reading below.

http://books.google.com/books?id=KjsPAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA25&dq=Charles+Goodyear+book&hl=en&sa=X&ei=p-krT6jwE-eq2gXCzLiMDw&ved=0CEkQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Charles%20Goodyear%20book&f=false

[Huck]

Re: "The Original Rubber Store"

Someone at 150th Manassas had one and was showing it off. My understanding, from what was shown, it wasnt rubber but canvas treated on one side, under 6 feet or soby 3 feet, with "many" 3 inch pockets sown into it, each one stuffed with batting or something....
Who ever made it should post photos......

[4VADRUMMER]

Re: "The Original Rubber Store"

I believe S&S sutler sold it. Not sure if they made it or not. It was really neat and very cushiony like it was filled with air.

[CSchneider]

Re: "The Original Rubber Store"

I made two copies of G.B. Stacy's "Confederate Mattress," one of which was displayed for awhile at S&S. The info sheet I made for Tim with some images won't load for some reason, but the text is included below. Lee did have one (his does not survive as far as I know), but I have no idea how long he held on to it or if he replaced it with a rubber air bed. It is made of painted cloth, plain cotton sheeting, and lots of raw cotton stuffed one handful at a time (not quilted) into lots of tiny pockets. It has a nice big stencil on it, which was pretty neat to see when I unrolled the original for the first time. It rolls up to be about the size of a modern sleeping bag. Not exactly the most convenient thing for a private in the field, but I'll stuff my reproduction into an officer's trunk and use it at a winter quarters event much as the original I copied was.

G.B. Stacy's Confederate Mattress.

Beds for the army and winter use in the Hospitals.
The subscriber offers to the Military public the Confederate Mattress, as meeting every requirement of a Bed for Camp use during the
winter; also, as the best adapted to the transient Camp Hospital.
It is spread upon the floor of the tent, perfectly secure against the damp that rises therefrom. It is light and compact for transportation, and
is impervious to rain when exposed thereto. It saves loss from the breakage and transportation of Cots, and is less than one-fourth their
usual weight.--It requires less than one-half the bed-clothes requisite when Cots are used, and costs only $3.50. It is adapted to the use of
privates at well as officers, the Dragoon as well as infantry. It claims the attention of the military generally, and challenges the most rigid
trial.
Those having the furnishing of Hospitals would do well to test the adaptability of these Beds to their wants, and the consequent economy in
their use.
Sutlers to the Army, and dealers generally, can be supplied by
G. B. Stacy,
8th Street, North of Leigh Street, Richmond.

Camp Beds.
--We have examined several of the mattresses for camp and hospital use, advertised in our columns this morning by Mr. G. B. Stacy, and
they appear to possess all the advantages claimed for them. To a soldier on duty requiring frequent changes of location, with no certainly
of finding a supply of straw at every point, this mattress will be a real comfort, since it is light and can be easily carried from place to
place.

-Richmond Daily Dispatch, November 11, 1861.

By the autumn of 1861, the Richmond mattress producing firm of G.B. Stacy had joined the legions of small
Southern manufactories seeking profits through the booming war industry. Their “Confederate Mattress,” sold
primarily to Confederate officers seeking more comfortable accommodations in their winter quarters, consisted of a
sheet of painted cloth onto which was sewn numerous pockets stuffed with raw cotton. The simple mattress, capable
of being rolled and easily stored in an officer’s baggage, drew the praise of General Robert E. Lee.

Letter from Gen. Lee.
Charleston. S. C., Dec. 16, 1861.
Mr. G. B. Stacy, Richmond.--Dear Sir:
I received your Mattress just as I was leaving Richmond, and have not yet had an opportunity of testing it in field, but from its convenient
construction, economy of space, &c., I have no doubt but that it will be found a valuable article of camp equipage. Begging your
acceptance of my thanks,
I am reply, your obd't serv't,
R.E. Lee

-Richmond Daily Dispatch, January 13, 1862.

This reproduction of Stacy’s Confederate Mattress is copied from the only known surviving example. The mattress
was captured and used by a Federal infantry lieutenant during the last half of the war and was discovered in his
baggage. The painted cloth was made using cloth woven with a proper 19th Century selvedge and a period paint
recipe. The mattress is sewn with a mixture of hand and machine sewing as per the original. The manufacturer’s
stencil was cut to match the original exactly.

-Craig Schneider

[Elaine Kessinger]

Re: "The Original Rubber Store"

...and since we are the AC, may I offer the reminder that rubber goods were becoming available and popular for civilian use. Such "inflatable, india rubber" mattresses were recommended as being suitable to "westward travel" and encouraged for comfortable travel. Those early officers would be in a rush to equip themselves with the latest in sporting goods technology, before they had the practical campaigning experience to know what would be cumbersome, redundant, or just plain unneeded.

[J. Donaldson]

Re: "The Original Rubber Store"

The last time I was at the Arabia, they had added a case of rubber goods, including rubber overshoes, rubber shoes, and rubber horsewhips.