Robertson Canoe

Greg Douglas

New Member
I have a pre-1930 Robertson canoe. I was hoping to learn more about the age, model and anything else about the canoe. Any help would be appreciated.
 

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There are no known Robertson records available so detailed information isn't available. Does this one have the Robertson stamps on the tops of the thwarts along the gunwale? Can you provide a picture of the tag and serial numbers (if it has these)? Thanks,

Benson
 
Could this be an Old Town from about 1912 or thereabouts ? I see scrolled seat drops and a familiar serial number, I think .
Dave
 
I agree with Dave and am curious why you described this as "a pre-1930 Robertson canoe." The 12278 serial number appears to match the Old Town build record. It shows a 16 foot long, AA (or top) grade, Charles River model with red Western cedar planking, closed mahogany double gunwales, long mahogany decks, mahogany thwarts, mahogany seats, a keel, a floor rack, a flag pole with sockets in the bow and stern, and painter rings in the bow and stern. It was built between October, 1909 and February, 1910. The original exterior paint color was white with "Dixie" and a cardinal stripe. It shipped on February 11th, 1910 to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A scan of this build record can be found below.

This scan and several hundred thousand more were created with substantial grants from the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) and others. A description of the project to preserve these records is available at http://www.wcha.org/ot_records/ if you want more details. I hope that you will donate, join or renew your membership to the WCHA so that services like this can continue. See https://www.woodencanoe.org/about to learn more about the WCHA and https://www.woodencanoe.org/shop to donate or join.

It is also possible that you could have another number or manufacturer if this description doesn't match your canoe. See https://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/17858/ and https://www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/12320/ for some similar canoes. Feel free to reply here if you have any other questions.

Benson



OTC-12278.gif
 
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Thank you so much! The build record matches the construction (except for the current paint finish. The canoe restorer labeled the canoe as a Robertson and he passed away a few years ago so I haven't been able to get information about the canoe. I will gladly send a donation and appreciate the help....
 
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