Thirty-Six Views of the Eiffel Tower: From the Quai de Javel (Switchman's Shanty) France, early 20th century

Thirty-Six Views of the Eiffel Tower: From the Quai de Javel (Switchman's Shanty)

1902

Printed by Verneau

France, early 20th century

color lithograph

Support: Beige(1) wove

Watermarks:

Sheet: 22.3 x 26.8 cm (8 3/4 x 10 9/16 in.); Image: 17 x 21.2 cm (6 11/16 x 8 3/8 in.)

Gift of John Bonebrake 2003.393

Catalogue raisonné: Fields p. 78, plate 28

Edition: 500 plus 50 deluxe

Location: not on view

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Description

The switchman’s principal duty was to switch tracks to direct an oncoming train to its destination, regulate a train’s speed, and signal the open track to the train conductor. The red and white checkered flag was used for the latter purpose and was placed on the side of the open tracks. The switchman was also responsible for manning the telegraph, whose white poles line the opposite side of the tracks. When he was off duty, the switchman grew vegetables on the bank bordering the railway, as was the custom with railway workers.