Some of you might remember my “Death by Roubo” blog entry from March 2013, a grim but fascinating look at how to use your workbench for more than woodworking.
Well sometime this summer I got the idea to turn that image into a T-shirt with a slogan that was in questionable taste. So, with the help of Jeff Burks, I purchased two original copies of the April 5, 1903, edition of Le Petit Parisen, which had originally published the story and drawing. The old newspapers weren’t expensive.
Surprisingly, everyone I told the T-shirt idea to sensibly steered me away from it.
However, because I love this image so much, I took a high-resolution photo of it today and am publishing it here for you to enjoy. The detail in the drawing is quite good. Whoever drew the illustration was either familiar with workshops or simply paid good attention.
I love the little copper glue pot, the brace on the wall and the odd clamping contraption in the background.
But mostly I like the bench. Nice detail on the leg vise’s chop, sir. I salute you.
It’s OK, don’t get up.
Save the image to your hard drive, and you will be able to zoom in on this image to your heart’s content. If you don’t know how to save an image to your computer, click the link below to download the image.
https://blog.lostartpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/strange_suicide_img_6637.jpg
— Christopher Schwarz
I’m digging that clamping contraption too.
Chris, in all your photo archives are there any that you think would make a great tapestry weaving? I’m very serious!
Mike,
Wow. Where to begin?
I love this quilt:
http://wp.me/a19928-26l
We used the original in “By Hand & Eye.”
I’ll look through my copy tonight. anything else? Should be copyright free…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:God_the_Geometer.jpg
Chris,
Did you receive the tapestry? Thanks for the suggestion, We are always looking for great art.
Hey Mike. I did receive it and sent you an email about it. It’s nice! Contact me offline and we can chat further: chris@lostartpress.com
Do you think the would be victim honed a edge on that shovel, if so bevel up or down.
In the entry he links to in March (click on “Death by Roubo”) there’s the original text from the newspaper. It mentions he did, in fact, sharpen the spade.
Though there’s no mention of bevel orientation…
No chip breaker, must be bevel up.
I’m reminded of a Seinfeld episode in which Elaine complains about the lame names for chiropractic furniture stores, ie “Lumbar-Yard”. I would have purchased such a T-Shirt. That is the plane-truth.
There is a board nailed across the end of the bench top. Is this common of Roubo-styled benches? Or did the victim, despite facing certain death, not want to risk damaging his bench by directly fastening the hooks used to bind the rope and instead used a substitute board? If his motive is the latter, then much respect.
But what is the caption on the t-shirt going to say?
Gillette’s older unsuccessful brother?
I must say… normally when I’m trying to kill myself I don’t think that creatively! That thing’s a work of art, I love the details such as how the boards holding the spade are bolted together. This is no whim either, there’s a lot of hours gone in to that! The bench has some nice proportions too.
I was in Forensics for 20 years, and saw a lot of suicides. But this one takes the prize. Imagine the dedication to his cause to use a chisel to pare away the wood support until the bench falls! Yikes! All that gruesomeness aside, I too love the detail in the tools and bench. One has to wonder if the prolonged use of the frame saw in cutting veneer drove him to his fate. And for my part Chris, “Death by Roubo” is brilliant! I’ll take a t-shirt!
Rusty.. take a close look at the high-def version and you can see the chisel is only acting as an assist to knocking out the support stick. Heck, I notice even that is rounded on the bottom to make it easier to move. What’s creepy is how he’s keeping an eye on that very important piece.
Dave,
Wait. THAT’s the creepy part if this image?
Well.. once you leave out the REALLY creepy stuff 😉
Thanks, Jeff. That may work.
I’ll let you know if it goes through. Then I’ll need a shipping address.
I like the Tshirt idea. I am more than a little sick however. I will enjoy the picture.
How about making a print out of it. It would look great hanging in the shop.
I want one of the tee-shirts!
I would buy the shirt. Stop talking to “friends” who try to have you behave with good taste.
I would have bought the t-shirt. Great picture.
Chris –
I find great fascination with your fixation with this image. However, this makes me wonder if it is time that you had a long series of talks with a professional in the psychiatric (adjective) community.
Perhaps it is time for a long, long rest in a quiet place with padded walls!
Then again, maybe just more sawdust thearapy would do you some good, it works for me!
Those people who advised you agains it may have been right… But I would have bought that shirt. Poor taste goes a long way with me. Anyone else around here love a good dead baby joke?
The “odd clamping contraption” is a panel clamp. A similar contemporary version is sold by Rockler (“Four-way Equal Pressure Clamp” 20981).
Despite the subject matter, I love the illustration, clearly done by a really talented artist. Those old newspaper illustrations are fun to look at and have a depth and quality I miss in today’s online editions.
I’ll take an XL t-shirt with the picture on it.
It needs a snappy slogan as well.
Are you going to have a contest like you did for the other t-shirt?
You could offer the t-shirts as limited edition, special order, pay in advance.
If you do that, I’ll take 2.