It could be "Lino" also called "Linoleum" (patented 1863). This is
(according to my dictionary) Floor-cloth of canvas with thick coat of
oxidised linseed oil. It was manufactured by a number of companies
including some in the US. Farbo-Nairn still manufactures a version of
the product.  We have used it to replicate historic floors at some of
our properties.  Its very hard wearing and lasts well on visitor routes.
Their web site is http://www.forbo-nairn.co.uk  I don't think they
produce printed pattern version any more but they can replicate
geometric patterns by computer cutting a mosaic of different colours for
you.

From the 1960s onwards lino was largely replaced by vinyl floor
coverings so it could also one of these. Although it was manufactured in
the US up to the mid 1970s.

Trevor Reynolds
Collections Registrar, English Heritage, Room 530, 23 Savile Row, London
W1S 2ET, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7973 3482  Fax: +44 (0) 20 7973 3209

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of Mandy Langfald
> Sent: 05 May 2004 23:33
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Floor Coverings for Historic Homes
> 
> The State is beginning the reinterpretation of our Historic Governor's
> Manson and the Curator there is having problems finding a specific
type
> of floor covering. I was asked to post to the list to see if anyone
can
> point us in the right direction for a product similar to the original.
> 
> This floor covering was very utilitarian and originally used on the
> basement and servants stairways. The covering appears to be a hard
> plastic of some sort, about 1/8" thick or so. What we have is a dark
> brown with some sort of pattern on the top. This material was used as
a
> runner and is similar to the black "rubber" runners seen now. However
it
> is less pliable and we believe it may have come in strips or blocks
that
> were then cut to size/shape. The house was occupied 1905-1970ish. Some
> of the people on the committee remember something similar to this in
> their houses when they were children in the '50s.
> 
> Any information or resources would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> 
> 
> Mandy Langfald
> Curator of Collection
> Wyoming State Museum
> 307-777-3077
> [log in to unmask]
> 
> =========================================================
> Important Subscriber Information:
> 
> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-
> faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands
by
> sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] .
The
> body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).
> 
> If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message
to
> [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read
> "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).