brocade design on leather

[Guest]

I am working on 1926 Studebaker-Superior hearse that has original leather trim throughout driver's compartment that has a very elegant brocade design of flowers and leaves on it. This leather was used in all areas including door panels, divider wall, kick panels, etc., but not the leather of the seat. My first impression was that it looked and felt like a high quality vinyl (because leather is smooth with only design slightly raised) victorian style wallpaper. The brocade design really stands out as you view it from different angles. I also have an original 1926 Studebaker hearse/ambulance catalog that makes reference to this brocade design on the leather.<BR>Now, does anyone have any ideas as to how this was done--silkscreening, screenprinting, embossing press, etc.? And, any leads to someone that would have the knowledge and skill to duplicate this design and process for our restoration?<BR>You can see another of our hearse restorations at: <A HREF="http://www.moses-lake.com/hearse.htm" TARGET=_blank>www.moses-lake.com/hearse.htm</A> <BR>Thanks for any information and advise.<BR>Jerry Kayser

[Steve Moskowitz]

There are probably a lot of guys out there who are far more knowledgeable on this subject than I and there is a book I have somewhere that details how to do it, My cars does have some limited designs in the leather that were done by other materials sewn into the leather to create the embossed look. I will try and find the book as it was part of a very popular series on restorations.

[Guest]

try contacting a tack shop - tooling leather is still done on some "horse stuff"

[Guest]

Still hoping someone out there has knowledge about this process. <BR>Thanks, Jerry Kayser

[Steve Moskowitz]

Hope you are still on here unregistered...the book I referred to before is ANTIQUE AUTO BODY LEATHER WORK. REPRINTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR $9.95 from 775-825-5663 item# BOO004