Posted by Bob Read on August 01, 1999 at 14:03:18 in 208.142.225.25:
In Reply to: Colour posted by Mike Pell on August 01, 1999 at 07:25:20:
Mike:
This discussion brings up a more generic point.
Other than the black hull and the white superstructure, what authority do we have for any other colors on Titanic? We have some contemporary postcards which we use for determining the buff color of funnels but even these postcards don't all show the same shade.
The same thing goes for the mast colors. As far as the reddish brown in the well decks, how do we know they were that shade of brown or even green?
I just have never seen any description or representation of these other colors anywhere.
In the absence of some convincing contemporary evidence, I think all the unknown colors are a case of the person with a good reputation making an early educated guess then the guess becomes
"fact" in most people's minds even though there might not be one shred of hard evidence to support what is now considered "fact". I do not want to diminish the value of an educated guess. Its just that some education and some guesses are better than others. In the final analysis, when colors are not described all we can do is guess. Let's just try to keep straight the things that are guesses and the things that are backed up by solid documentation.
Regards,
Bob Read
: : Mike:
: : I'm not near my books at the moment but here's a couple of leads to follow. I know the photos, I just don't have the references at the moment.
: : The first photo is of the Titanic's lifeboats collected at the harbor in New York. There are a number of White Star employees (I believe from the Olympic) who are standing in them) The photo is taken from above so you can see the interiors very clearly.
: Yes that is the Illustrated History series I mentioned. Looking at those caused me to question Ken Marschall's rendition in Exploring The Titanic painting. If the interior is different from the gunwales (as it looks in I.H) then Ken's painting is incorrect. I.H. pics could be showing photo washout making it look different (hull knuckle debate!) so I was curious if indeed the photos are showing a difference and if the difference is there what is the nature of that difference knowing the hull was white, the gunwales dark brown, the interior is then ????
: :As far as color goes these are b&w photos so all :you could gauge is shade.
: FineArts (which I consider but don't trust as the final answer) shows them as grey inside with lighter brown seating. I'll scan that photo and save it as black and white then compare the shades to the I.H. photos. I am thinking the interiors might be cedar red. What were they constructed of?
: : Another group of photos are those of the lifeboats coming alongside the Carpathia. The quality of these photos aren't as good as the first ones I described.
: : The third I believe is in Triumph and Tragedy. It shows one of the Titanic's lifeboats being hoisted on deck. The boat is tipped so that the interior is visible.
: : If you need specific references I'll do some digging.
: It is important that I have the right colours for the project I am working on. If no one knows then I guess I can use whatever seems reasonable but I prefer what is correct if possible. Any help is appreciated.
: Cheers, Mike