Sliding
Sliding is a form of transit that relies on physical friction remaining relatively low so that surfaces may encounter each other to allow for smooth movement while in contact. Sledding, skiing, sleigh riding, and ice skating are all forms of sliding transit represented in this exhibition section. While sledding may be an activity geared more toward youth, skiing, ice skating, and sleigh riding are all activities made possible by the nature of their sliding movement, and we have chosen accessories, garments, and tools that are crucial to the performance of such transit tasks.
Red Ski Ensemble
Date: 1977
Medium: Ski parka & overalls
Donor: Elizabeth Schmeck Brown
Description: This women’s ski ensemble consists of a ski parka with matching ski overalls. The garments are made of a quilted nylon in vibrant red with both a zipper closure as well as nickel snap-buttons. The overalls underneath have a long zipper running down the front and straps that form a V-shape in the back. A blue tag attached to the parka’s left sleeve details the patterns’ number and the corresponding fabric, fiber content, date, cost, and care instructions. These clues indicated that these items are factory samples for the Kwik Sew pattern company. The donor, Cornell alumni and fashion historian Elizabeth Schmeck Brown, worked for a number of sewing pattern companies during her long career in fashion. It was likely that she took this sample to add to her extensive personal archive of fashion objects. These samples were included with many other pieces that Cornell was gifted with after her death in 2006.
Light Blue Ski Jumpsuit
Date: 1960-1970
Medium: Fleece Jumpsuit
Donor: Beverly Birks
Description: Light blue fleece-like ski jumpsuit. Grey zipper down center-front with hand pockets in side seams. Elastic in casing at wrists, waist, and ankles. This snowsuit is by Ted Lapidus for his Diffusion Sport line. Ted Lapadious made a huge transition in French fashion by proposing safari suits and military jackets for women, along with unisex clothing. Additionally, he had a significant role in translating haute couture into affordable clothing.
Dog Fur Sleigh Gloves
Date: 1918
Medium: leather, dog fur
Donor: Unknown - Used by George F. Warren, Jr.
Description: Dog's hair gloves, fully covered in fur except for palms-which are leather. Gloves' cuffs run up mid- forearm. Excellent insulation for enjoying sleigh riding outdoors in a cold, snowy winter. Made from hair of a family dog in 1918 by a local Ithaca tanner or leather-maker for the donor's father, George F. Warren, Jr.; for whom Warren Hall at Cornell University is named. He grew up in a pioneer family in Nebraska.
Ice Skates, curved blades
Date: 1860-1890
Medium: oak wood, leather, steel
Donor: Laura Treman Almquist
Description:This pair of wooden ice skates has oak soles with squared toes and brown, hand-stitched leather straps that fasten with buckles. The Massachusetts-based manufacturer of the skates, SC and S Winslow, was owned by brothers Seth and Samuel Winslow. Originally, the brothers’ business consisted of producing metal pieces for other companies; however, after creating a small but successful run of ice skates in 1957, they transitioned fully into skates' manufacturing. (Sullivan, 2018). Initially, they only made ice skates, but after the patent on roller skates expired in 1880, their line would later grow to include these as well.
Red Skis
Date:
Medium: Painted wooden skis with rubber footplate
Designer/Manufacturer/Retailer: C.A. Lund Company
Place of Origin: USA
Credit:
Description: These vibrant red skis were manufactured by the C.A. Lund Company, founded by Christian Lund in 1911. Owned by the Northland Company, Lund was known for producing quality wooden skis, toboggans, and snowshoes at an affordable price. Likely, these skis were intended to be used for slalom, downhill, or touring as their length of six feet makes them too short for inclusion in Lund's jumping or racing lines. However, the excellent condition of the rubber footplates, paint, and bare-wooden bottoms indicate that these were used infrequently, if ever. It's possible that they were instead hung on a wall over a fireplace for decorative purposes.
Sled
Date:
Medium: Wood, metal, with decorative lines and “SPEEDAWAY” painted in red
Designer/Manufacturer/Retailer: Paris Manufacturing Company
Place of Origin: South Paris, Maine, USA
Demographic: children
Provenance & Notes: Purchased from Significant Elements in Ithaca, NY
Description: This vintage sled, fabricated by the Paris Manufacturing Company in South Paris, Maine, is made of wood, metal and features decorative lines and the word “SPEEDAWAY” painted in red. Though now missing the rope that would have originally been found in the two holes drilled into the crossbar, it is otherwise in excellent condition. The sled’s length of thirty-six inches is significantly smaller than many of the company’s other sled models, indicating that this was intended to be used by young children. Before founding the Paris Manufacturing Company, owner Henry Morton was known to have made sleds such as this one in his kitchen. Though the company also made other items, such as furniture, they continue to be most well-known for their sleds.
