Al Stephens Posted April 6, 2018 Share Posted April 6, 2018 In 1929 Samuel Yellin was filmed by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, NY. This film shows the making of the piece that Fred Crist demonstrates and calls "The Yellin Challenge" The MMOA in recent emails has acknowledged the existence of the film, but "it is not currently available for viewing" and has no interest in digitizing it for distribution, or viewing. If anyone has a copy of this film, myself and several others would like to see it, and are interested in it being made available for public viewing. Any ideas, or contacts that could make this happen would be appreciated. Feel free to PM me if necessary. Thanks Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 7, 2018 Share Posted April 7, 2018 Thanks for posting the video, it's good to get to watch pros in action. Could live with longer run time without the fast frame but that's a mini gripe. I can tell almost as much listening as I can watching videos with the way cameras over expose the glowy steel. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted April 7, 2018 Share Posted April 7, 2018 29 minutes ago, Frosty said: Could live with longer run time without the fast frame but that's a mini gripe. If you click the Settings icon (little gear in the lower right), you can change the playback speed. Since most of this is at double-speed, setting it to play at half-speed puts it back at normal. 18 hours ago, PVF Al said: The MMOA in recent emails has acknowledged the existence of the film, but "it is not currently available for viewing" and has no interest in digitizing it for distribution, or viewing. Do you have any information on its catalog number, title, or anything else? I might be able to work a connection or two I have in the museum world (although don't get your hopes up). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 7, 2018 Share Posted April 7, 2018 I never think of changing speed. <sigh> Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAG Posted April 7, 2018 Share Posted April 7, 2018 I remember reading about Samuel Yellin's daughter or granddaughter in charge of some of his estate and its effects. She or her colleagues may be able to help. I know its a long shot and should be considered as a last result. The patent and trade marks office's copyright office may have the video in their files or archives. And they may be able to help out. Just some, almost, random thoughts but "Hey you never know"*. SLAG. Head Panjandrum of SLAG Industries L.LC. * registered trade mark New York State Lottery corporation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted April 7, 2018 Share Posted April 7, 2018 In continuous operation for 99 years, Samuel Yellin Metalworkers, operates under the direction of Clare Yellin, granddaughter of Samuel Yellin. http://www.samuelyellin.com/today.html I've heard tell that she's pulled the "my grandfather was a blacksmith" stunt when watching a demo before .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Stephens Posted April 9, 2018 Author Share Posted April 9, 2018 Thanks for the suggestions everybody. I will look into further. The Yellin site was set up in 2008, and parts of it are still under construction, doesn't look hopeful. I'll post or PM any new info I get. Al I have not been abel to locate any catalog numbers yet. However, the film is mentioned , and the piece pictured in, Samuel Yellin Metalworker, written by Jack Andrews, on page 75. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Stephens Posted April 12, 2018 Author Share Posted April 12, 2018 I have managed to find a little more information. The Smithsonian Institute in their Yellin Collection has 2 films listed. (1) "The Making of Wrought Iron" produced by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (250 ft.), shows an artist sketching a grille and Yellin shaping a grille for a chair. (2) "The Florida Film" (175 ft., ca. 1928), shows examples of Yellin's first work as used in the Singing Tower, Mountain Lake, Florida. I believe the 1st one is what we're looking for. It is a 16mm, black and white, silent, film. The SI site also refers to them being at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. A search of the SIUC site produced no results. It is my understanding that ABANA does not have a copy of the films. Others are checking with Metal Museum in Memphis, TN. Later Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Stephens Posted May 4, 2018 Author Share Posted May 4, 2018 As of yesterday, the Smithsonian Institute, has agreed to start the process to get the films digitized. Not sure of the cost, or timeline, but it looks like progress is being made to preserve these films. If anybody is within driving distance of DC you can contact SI and make an appoint to view the films. I can provide contact info. Later Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted May 4, 2018 Share Posted May 4, 2018 Sweet! Thanks for the news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Any word on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Stephens Posted August 11, 2018 Author Share Posted August 11, 2018 JHCC, We are still waiting on SI to give us a price and timeline, but have told them we want to do it. We have repeatedly emailed those we have been in contact with and the last several have not been replied to. The last time we emailed was 7/24. Don't know if more people contacting them would help, or hurt. Whats everybody think? We haven't forgot or given up yet. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Stephens Posted September 17, 2018 Author Share Posted September 17, 2018 We have completed negotiations with the Smithsonian Institute. The films should be digitized by the end of Oct. 2018. Once that is done we will figure out how to make them available for viewing. As with most things, patience and perseverance, will prevail !! Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 17, 2018 Share Posted September 17, 2018 Yay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Stephens Posted November 16, 2018 Author Share Posted November 16, 2018 Success!!! The Yellin flms can be viewed at Athens Forge AFC on YouTube. Hope everyone enjoys them. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 YAY!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 Awesome! Great to get to see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 Interesting detail: around the 4:23 mark in the first film, you can see that his scrolling tongs have somewhat unusual reins. They’ve been flattened and hollowed, presumably for greater comfort. Here’s a detail of that frame: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 I liked it when he was using a rawhide hammer to adjust the metal without marking it. I've been using them for over a decade now--the infamous "stinky hammer" as my students call it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 A pretty beefy one, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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