Acalsomine

[Vuhginyuh]

Does anyone have any idea what an acalsomine treatment or Calsome Finish is?

I know it is a plaster or finished wall treatment but is it WALL FINISH like paint Whitewash or just a primer or cleaner?

I can't find it in any of my sources. The application of it does appear as a job-for-hire in many period classified adds, but to this point no help can be found to define it.

The nature of the name leads me to believe it is some sort of white or off white egg-shell finish, oil and spirits based calcium product, but I could be thing too hard.

[Jefferson Guards]

Re: Acalsomine

You might want to contact the Benjamin Moore Co. It seems their company started with Acalsomine and Calsom finishes.

A report on the 1885 State Street fire in Brooklyn includes in part:

"The fourth floor was occupied by C.W. BUTLER & CO., tin dealers, who had one-half, and BENJAMIN MOORE & CO., calsom finish makers, who had the other half. WILLIAM DURST, metal spinner, had half of the second floor, the other portion was not occupied.

Two persons who have been accounted for.A brother of Benjamin MOORE, who manufactured prepared calcimine on the third floor of one of the eastern wings which jutted out from the State Street building toward the tenements in Atlantic Avenue, was at the scene of the disaster this noon. He said to an Eagle reporter: "My brother Ben was reported missing. I am glad to say that he is all right. He was at home last night. When the walls fell he was in the adjoining building. He had nine girls working for him and he did not leave the building until all had got out. He was the last to go." Mr. MOORE resides at 730 Madison Street, in this city and considers that he had a narrow escape."

[Vuhginyuh]

Re: Acalsomine

Thanks Brian

All I could get from them was a ''...thank you for your interest, we will contact you soon'' type thing.

(There is some fascinating material online about the State Street or Glass house fire in NYC that destroyed the Moore Calsome Treatment facility.

http://www.geocities.com/genelady.ge...5articles.html)

[Jefferson Guards]

Re: Acalsomine

From the 1913 edition of Webster's Dictionary:

Cal"ci*mine (?), n. [L. calx, calcis, lime.] A white or colored wash for the ceiling or other plastering of a room, consisting of a mixture of clear glue, Paris white or zinc white, and water. [Also spelt kalsomine.]

[Vuhginyuh]

Re: Acalsomine

From the 1913 edition of Webster's Dictionary:

Cal"ci*mine (?), n. [L. calx, calcis, lime.] A white or colored wash for the ceiling or other plastering of a room, consisting of a mixture of clear glue, Paris white or zinc white, and water. [Also spelt kalsomine.]

Hey that's good news, I could be smarter than I look.

Thanks again Brian.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Acalsomine

Calcimine was a paint used quite a bit during the 19th century. If you ever see old painted finishes that have a chalky look or feel to it, you are looking at a calcimine finish. It is still available in a powder form and a little bit of it makes up quite a bit of finished product. Several vendors are on the web if you are wanting to do a project with it. I have used it to paint some ceiling medallion rossettes that were molded from the original but can't remember who we bought it from. I can look it up in our records if you are interested.

[Vuhginyuh]

Re: Acalsomine

Calcimine was a paint used quite a bit during the 19th century. If you ever see old painted finishes that have a chalky look or feel to it, you are looking at a calcimine finish. It is still available in a powder form and a little bit of it makes up quite a bit of finished product. Several vendors are on the web if you are wanting to do a project with it. I have used it to paint some ceiling medallion rossettes that were molded from the original but can't remember who we bought it from. I can look it up in our records if you are interested.

Michael,

I would appreciate the information posted, but please do so at your leasure. I am in no hurry.

Calcimine (acalsomine) appears to be a term or process that a majority of period urban dwellers would be familiar with.

Thank you.