Objects Database

Paris Skis

Accession Number

779.2009.1

Object Name

Paris Skis

Created

23/01/2009

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

23/01/2009

Brief Description

Pair of mountain touring Paris skis with metal edges and Kandahar bindings. Hole in tip and painted blue upper.

Materials

wood, metal, leather

Dimensions

205(l) cms At widest part 9(w) cms

Number Of Objects

1 pair

Inscription Description

"PARIS SKI RMC 50 PARIS M2" in circle underneath tip.

Colour

blue

Provenance

One could perhaps be forgiven for assuming that Paris skis were made in France when the truth is that the Paris Manufacturing Co. was based in Maine, USA. Founded by a guy called Henry Morton in 1861, the company made desks and home furnishings along with sleds and skis. As we see very often with these small, bespoke companies, Paris Manufacturing Co. ceased to exist in the late 1900's, so it is nice that we have a little momento of their existence.
The skis are very well made from what looks like oak, and interestingly , there are two holes at the front of the ski which were almost certainly used to make the turn up at the tips. It would probably have been reccommended to store the skis with the bending system in place too. The diagram opposite should explain what we are talking about. We are not sure what the hole at the heel end is for.
There's a very sturdy set of Kandahar bindings attached and what seems to be new metal edges, though we are not sure if they are replacements or a new/later edition.
A very fine pair of skis anyway which could be from the 1920/30's though more likely the 1950's. You could certainly strap them on and go for a ski right now.
They were given to Mick Tighe by an old skiing pal called Pete Nicol from Deeside, who amongst other things was a member of The Magic Circle, hence the nickname, Pete the Magician.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Pete Nichol

Acquisition Date

23/01/2009

Condition Check Date

28/04/2009

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

28/04/2009

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