Magnified cross-section image of paint samples 6.1 and 6.2, from the interior
floor (under a seat) of 1912. Portland-Lewiston Interurban No, 14, Narcissus,
documents the earliest two paints on the flooring were a reddish-brown,
followed by a yellow-brown colored paint, and then seven layers of
orange-red colored paints. Image from Amy Cole Ives, President at
Sutherland Conservation & Consulting in Augusta, Maine
Steps towards engaging a Professional Conservation Paint Analysis for the Narcissus
The 1912 Portland-Lewiston Interurban No. 14, Narcissus has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914. Getting the color scheme right for the exterior and interior of the majestic icon of Maine's Fastest and Finest Interurban is imperative.
As we move closer to completing components of the exterior and interior of the Narcissus that require paint, we must determine specific colors, as close to the original as we can for these components. The Narcissus was originally built in 1912 by the Laconia Car Company. The PLI ended operations in early July 1933. The Laconia Car Company in Laconia, NH has also been closed for decades. No records that specifically detail the color formulas for the PLI interurbans are known to exist. There is text describing the colors of the exterior of the interurbans. So, that is where we began.
Today, January 18, 2018, we received an updated draft of the Preliminary Paint Analysis Report that includes several painted finishes. This is a working document that will continue to be updated until the report is finalized. There are several new pieces of information in this January 18, 2018, report updated from the initial draft dated November 15, 2017.
Looking at this interior image of the Narcissus from 2014, you can clearly see
the reddish-colored floor and the outline of the seat pedestals, the off-white-colored
ceiling panels, and the gold leaf borders in the center panels. DGC photo.
This updated report includes the previous results of exterior components and the new initial analysis from the Narcissus interior floor paint, ceiling panel paint, gold leaf on the ceiling panels, and an interesting cross-reference from an original interior and exterior clerestory sash from the 1912 PLI interurban No, 10, Arbutus.
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| One of the exterior sides of the Arbutus clerestory sash. PWM photo |
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| An interior side of Arbutus clerestory sash. PWM photo |
This is a center ceiling panel from the Narcissus. The sample was not
taken from this panel. You can see the white paint that covers the
Nile green and the gold leaf. PWM photo
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We continue the restoration work on the 1912, Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban.
Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts
Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem. This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including; time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents captivates, fascinates, then generates, interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!
Click Here: Donation Options
The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.
Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban
The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.
Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project
Independent book publisher, Phil Morse, holding
the Gold Book Award Winner plaque for
the Middle Reader category for The Eric
Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to
award-winning Maine author,
Jean M. Flahive
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