All of the bricks which line the vaults of the masonry arches in Central
Park are listed in the Park's Annual Reports from the original construction
dates as having been built with "Philadelphia brick".  They are universally
deep red and soft faced.  I think we were able to match them with custom
units from Belden during restorations.

I'm not sure if it was from them or another supplier but my memory is much
affected by my own chemistry experiments at RISD in the 70's.

Mark

-----Original Message-----
From: John Mascaro <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
<[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, June 21, 1999 11:27 PM
Subject: Re: So what is "Philadelphia brick"?


>>What is "very soft" brick?  What is "Philadelphia brick"? >
>
>From what I've gathered, original bricks were molded - irregular,
>colonial-style stuff.   In the late 19th century, machinery made it
possible
>to make pressed brick - straight & smooth.    A little later, they were
spit
>out with an extrusion process - with a tell-tale 'pulled' sort of texture.
>
>The brick that CT found for me (I had never heard of the term "Philadelphia
>brick," either) were what I needed to restore an 1885 Frank Furness
chimney.
>Very even and regular smooth brick that take to a 1/8" to 3/16" wide
setting
>bed.
>
>A month or so ago, someone mentioned "water-struck" brick, and I think that
>it another term for a pressed brick that has had the mold wetted so that
the
>face comes out slicker than the sandier texture it would have if it were
>drier.
>
>Can someone else help out here and give us additional poop?
>
>John Mascaro