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Object Timeline

1950

  • Work on this object began.

1991

  • We acquired this object.

1993

2013

2025

  • You found it!

Sidewall (USA)

This is a sidewall. It was manufactured by United Wallpaper, Inc.. It is dated 1950 and we acquired it in 1991. Its medium is machine-printed paper. It is a part of the Wallcoverings department.

In the 1950s it was popular to hang themed wallpapers in functional spaces and wallpapers designed for the bathroom typically focused on aquatic themes. This vibrant pattern features seahorses and clusters of tropical fish peacefully blowing silver bubbles as they swim in the midst of vertical rows of white coral. By the time of this production wallpapers were both washable and color fast making them ideal decoration for wet rooms.

It is credited Gift of Suzanne Lipschutz.

Its dimensions are

49.5 cm (19 1/2 in.)

It is inscribed

Printed on selvage: "WASHABLE, FADEPROOF, JOIN HERE, RUN 5 M15, C.1950 U.W. INC., MADE IN U.S.A."

Cite this object as

Sidewall (USA); Manufactured by United Wallpaper, Inc.; machine-printed paper; 49.5 cm (19 1/2 in.); Gift of Suzanne Lipschutz; 1991-89-6

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18638057/ |title=Sidewall (USA) |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=10 March 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>