slieverue

Great shot. Looking at the implement the man on the left was operating I suspect that it helped them to form up the cask? Any experts out there to tell us how it was done?

Swordscookie Would indeed welcome input from any coopers out there! It looks as if the foot pedal thingy (technical term) helped to increase pressure on the hoops??

Looks more like a fire, the foot pedal would pump air into it to increase the heat. The hoops are heated before they are put around the cask.

I think you're right Michiel! I was looking at the shape but when you view it at original size you can see it a lot better and it seems to be a portable furnace - for heating the rivets perhaps? I like the specialised anvil the other cooper is working on, specially adapted for his needs and no need for bending the back unnecessarily!

Michiel2005 Swordscookie Ah, that makes sense - a sort of brazier type affair...

Vincent is beginning to age and shows all the hallmarks of prosperity. The ladies all look well turned out, funny that the four aprons and collars are different.

look at that! this is a great portrait, very high quality! interesting remark of mogey, by the way!

Ah when nurses looked like nurses are supposed to look! I have an 1930s Dutch nurses uniform, much like it. My grandmothers wore it as well.

Did the nurses' collar shapes signify anything? (My mother was a nurse; in her era the shape of the nurse's cap reflected where she was trained.)

I see what you mean about the David Suchet/Poirot resemblance, Carol.