Courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Museum, National Archives & Records Administration.
The Barbed Wires
Artifact ID1981.04704.01
Object Type
Plaque, Decorative
Maker
Ron Kowall
(Studio City, CA)
Gifter
Ron Kowall
Date
1868-1884 (wire), 1981 (plaque)
Medium
Wood, Metal, Fabric (burlap)
Dimensions17 × 20 in. (43.2 × 50.8 cm)
Physical DescriptionA framed wooden plaque. The plaque features a wooden cutout shaped like the state of California with ten samples of barbed wire labeled in the following order: "Brotherton 1878, Sunderland 1884, Decker 1884, Frentress 1875, Brinkerhoff 1881, Glidden 1878, Watkins 1876, Allis 1881, Kelly 1868, Scutt 1878" mounted on top of red burlap. To the right of the wooden cutout is a white piece of paper lettered "The Barbed Wires, A century ago, men fought and died over barbed wire. While settlers were fencing homesteads. What used to be open range was now becoming the 'Old Jones Place.' Wire had a great impact on the West, and men such as Joseph Glidden and Michael Kelly are responsible. These men were looking for something to adequately hold livestock when rocks, bush, rails, or other natural fence materials could not be found. Glidden was noted as the first and largest manufacturer of barbed wire, while Kelly obtained the first patent on 'thorny wire' in 1868. Kelly did not manufacture his wire until 1876. The first wire which Glidden patented resembles the two-two point barb we use today. To prove the strength and dependability of his wire in 1876. Glidden sent a salesman, Bet-A-Million Gates, to erect the wire on the courthouse square in Austin, Texas. Ranchers brought in longhorn cattle to be placed inside this fence. After much harassment, the cattle continued to be held by the barbed wire. People came to realize the importance of wire, and the barbed wire business began booming with over 1,000 wires being patented between 1874 and 1890. Due to the scarcity of many antique wires in the 1930's, a number of people began to collect old barbed wire. Presently, there are over 200 barb wire clubs and organizations with an estimated 300,000 collectors over the world." The reverse is labeled "Merry Christmas President Reagan 1981, Ron Kowall 4544 Laurelgrove Studio City CA 91694."Historical NoteThis wooden plaque displays ten samples of historic types of barbed wire used during frontier times. It was a Christmas gift to President Reagan in 1981.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a member of the general public to President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan during the Reagan administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President Office of Correspondence and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January, 1989 for deposit with the Reagan Presidential Library.
National Archives Catalog CollectionRecords of the White House Gift Unit (Reagan Administration) (National Archives Identifier 6816362) and
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 6816363)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
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