1902 / Sewilla, Spain

A rope and mat factory in Seville

Inside the workshop, men are making (presumably also selling) ropes, mats and baskets made of esparto (a fiber made from the grass of sturdy holly).

1910/ca. 1950 / Côte d’Or, France

A ropemaker at a ropemaking wheel in France

A ropemaker (Cordière) sits on a chair at the machine, which she drives by turning a crank. A cord is attached to a large flywheel that sets the hook (or hooks) in motion. A ropemaker stands in front of the flywheel. He has hemp fibers wrapped around his waist, indicating that he intends to spin the thread by hooking the fibers onto the machine’s hook.

1916 / Krakow

Soldiers-troopers from the Krakow Fortress

Postcard sent to Vienna on 23/9 1916. Photograph shows 12 soldier-carvers, a plaque with the name of the workshop, a machine and carpentry products. On the board the inscription: “K.u.K. FEST. MONT. MAGAZ. SEILEREI” with added date: “1/9 1916”. On the reverse side a stamp: “K.u.k. Festungs Montur Magazin Rudolfs Kaserne Krakau”

1913 Marseille, France

Ropemaker in front of the cathedral in Marseille, France.

A group of ropemakers work in the square in front of the cathedral in Marseille. The craftsmen are holding ropes. A ropemaking machine (wheel) is visible behind them. Ropes are stretched on the track.
Captions: “127 – Marseille – La Cathédrale & les Cordiers”, “Phototype E. Lacour – Marseille”.

1914-1918 / Germany

Russian prisoners of war making ropes in Germany

The photograph shows Russian prisoners of war guarded by a German soldier, twisting ropes on three machines. Large wagon wheels are mounted on structures made of wooden logs, and twisted ropes were attached to the spokes.
On the reverse side a stamp with the inscription: “J. H. Hennings & Co., Hamburg 5.”

1920s – 1930s / Cracow

The ropemaker store in Cracow, 8 Mariacki Square

The ropemaker store in Cracow, 8 Mariacki Square
Photograph shows men feeding pigeons in front of a ropemaking store in Kraków, 8 Mariacki Square (7).

1950 / Solunto, Sycylia,Italy

A ropemaking workshop in Sicily

The photograph shows a ropemaker stretching a thread between a ropemaking wheel and a peg, supported by a ropemaking rake. Also visible in the photo are two boys, one of whom is turning a crank to move the rope wheel. Along the stretched strings walks a man dressed in black.

1950 / Solunto, Sycylia, Italy

A ropemaking workshop in Sicily

The photograph shows a ropemaker stretching thread between a ropemaking wheel and a peg, held up by a ropemaking rake. Also visible in the photo are two boys, perhaps helping the ropemaker with his work. The ropemaking track (the place where the ropes are twisted) is located along the wall.