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MAHOGANY ASSOCIATION ORIGINAL 1956 PLATE BOOK.
For those who are only interested in the Crotch and Swirls in this book, we have re-aranged these sections into a more user friendly order as seen below.
For those who wish to see the original "1956 Mahogany Association Plate book" printed in the USA please click PLATE BOOK.
Note: The plates shown in this book are the same and have the identical numbers as those used in all eight editions of The Mahogany Book. The original grouping and subsequent additions broke up sequences of related figure types to some extent. The necessities of book making did not permit re-grouping of the plates. However, the descriptive copy for each plate in this book appears on the opposite page so there should be no problem in relating text material to the corresponding plate.
PLATE No. 1
CROTCH FIGURE
The crotch figure is produced just below where the tree forks into two limbs and is the result of the wood that has been confined and twisted between the two limbs as they increase in girth. Crotches are usually 3' to 8' long and are not plentiful. Strangely enough, they are available in merchantable quantities in only African mahogany. Many trunks do not end by dividing into two limbs of about equal size. If the crotch angle is too wide, the crotch is too short to be useful. If the angle is too narrow, the increasing diameter of the limbs will imprison some of the bark and thus ruin the crotch figure.
PLATE No. 2
HIGHLY FIGURED SWIRL
This is just about tops in a figured swirl. It also gives plenty of evidence that a few more cuts into the crotch block will produce sheets with full crotch figure. The central splashes that presage the crotch figure are sometimes called " moonshine". After the knife passes through the full crotch area, the sheets again become swirly, with the last sheets cut being the plainest. These crotch block swirls vie with the crotch figure in superb matching possibilities.
PLATE NO. 3
PLAIN SWIRL
This figure in Mahogany has long been known, and at first, was always associated with the veneer that is cut from the crotch block as described on page 4. In more recent years, the swirls from the crotch blocks have not been sufficient to meet the demand for swirly figure. Consequently, other types have been developed through selection of logs, short sections of logs, and by special placement and cutting. These swirls are illustrated elsewhere in this book. This plate is typical of the first sheets cut from the crotch block.
PLATE No. 4
FIGURED FLAT CUT
The log producing this figure is prepared and cut exactly the same manner as for plain flat cut as shown in Plate No.7. The only difference is that it is one of the relatively small number of logs that have cross wrinkles as described in paragraph three on page 4. The inverted V or cathedral pattern shows up in the centre of the sheet, but the wrinkles turn the striped edges into some form of mottled figure. Here again the variation is endless and each one is a gem. Supply very limited.
PLATE No. 12
LAZY "S" PATTERN
The emergence of more swirl in the gradually developing swirly figure becomes noticeable, like the soft undulating waves of the sea. Here we see a balanced-motion effect in the swirly patter.
PLATE No. 13
"RIB CAGE" PATTERN
This plate shows a swirl, which after the cutting of a few more sheets, will blossom into a full crotch figure. It is already outlined in the veneer
PLATE No. 14
PLAIN SWIRL
This swirly figure resembles a mountainous are in relief or the choppy waves of the sea. It is a good example of the exciting third dimension in a mahogany veneer pattern.
PLATE No. 15
PLAIN SWIRL
Figured swirl takes on many different patters, all of which are distinctively beautiful. This shows a figured swirl which may emerge into the full "burning bush" crotch of Plates 17 and 18.
PLATE No. 16
PLAIN SWIRL
This is another form of figured swirl that has wave effects. The irregularities in the growth rings are noticeable as they ascend and descend like long loping waves on a rock-bound coast. It is really a variation of Plate 14.
PLATE N0. 17
BURNING BUSH
And here it is the "burning bush" crotch! Opinions may differ, but to us this is the most beautiful figure in the World of wood. Its flame gives it the name "burning bush" crotch. No artist could paint such a picture. A rare figure.
PLATE No. 18
BURNING BUSH
Like its adjacent companion, this is another "burning Bush." Its flame-like design is wide in detail and spreads like a first fire pushing the wind. A rare future.
PLATE No. 19
FEATHER CROTCH
Finally we come to the "Feathered Crotch" which like all other figures comes in many variations. this is a matched crotch with unusual light and dark contrasts. It is dark when the eye looks into the grain and light when with the grain.
PLATE No. 20
FEATHERED CROTCH
An exceptionally beautiful, matched feather-crotch. Perfectly centred in both figure and colour, the feathered-features are so realistic that one can almost "feel" the soft, silky plumes evident in this crotch. This plate shows the pleasing and harmonious symmetry of patterns obtained by matching.
PLATE No. 35
FAUX SWIRL
The faux swirl is produced by the half round manufacturing process. Used only in long wood, the faux swirl is cut from either a plain or swirly section of a log, but never from a crotch block which produces the natural swirl figure from the outside part. Usually, twisted, crooked, or limby logs are selected that have some swirly characteristics and are cut in short lengths varying from 4' to 6'. The flitch is put on the lathe, off centre, in order to accentuate the swirly patten.
PLATE No. 36
FAUX SWIRL
This is another swirl produced in the method described for Plate No. 35, and closely resembles the plain swirl from crotch block as shown in Plate No. 3. In fact, in many instances it would be impossible to distinguish between the swirly figures obtained from the outside of a crotch block and the so-called faux swirl. Either would serve a decorative purpose equally well.
ALL THE ABOVE SWIRLS AND CROTCHES ARE STOCK ITEMS AT RELIANCE VENEER.
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