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Photograph was edited for publication purposes Photograph article dated December 6, 1950 partially reads, "One of the world's foremost silversmith lives and works in the Valley. His name is Porter George Blanchard. His father's name was George Porter Blanchard. His grandfather's name was Porter George Blanchard. And it keeps going that way on back to 1788, when a George Porter Blanchard - or it may have been a Porter George Blanchard - lived in Millford, N. H., and was known as one of the finest mechanics of his time... This smattering of history is intended solely as background material to clinch the statement that the present-day Porter George Blanchard is a leading craftsman who is absolutely sure of what he's doing when he starts to work on a piece of metal... Like his father, Blanchard became a member of the Society of Arts and Crafts in Boston. He was elected to the council upon which he served for several years, progressing from a Craftsman to a Master and a Medalist. Everything about Blanchard and his studio at 7427 Varna Ave., North Hollywood, Is steeped in the tradition that an object turned out by hand with careful attention to every detail, is superior to machine-made articles... Blanchard first came to the Valley in 1923, settling in Burbank. Later he moved to his present home at 13080 Montague St., Pacoima, and carried on his work in a barn back of the house. But the barn became too small. Several months ago he shifted to his new studio on Varna Ave. where he enjoys a staff of about four highly-skilled assistants... There is a sad note to all this, however. Blanchard has no sons. There probably will not be a George Porter Blanchard to follow him. But the sadness is tempered to a certain extent. Blanchard has two daughters, and one of his sons-in-law is Lewis A. Wise. Wise, working in an adjoining studio, is rapidly gaining a wide reputation as a leading producer of hand-made flatware, knives, forks and spoons." Photograph caption reads, "The hands of a Master Craftsman. 'They're the most important tools I have.'"; See images #00133611 through #00133613 for all photos in this series.
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;13 x 10 cm. Photographic prints
Silver Hand Silversmiths--California--Los Angeles Silverwork--California--Los Angeles Artisans--California--Los Angeles Men--California--Los Angeles Pacoima (Los Angeles, Calif.) Portrait photographs Valley Times Collection photographs
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