Label Copy Class Exercise Group 3

Museum Name: Museum in Solingen, Germany of Steel and Cutlery

· Interpretation of steel, blade making, craftsmanship of Solingen, Germany area
· Products that have been made over the years
· Object: Cavalry Sword
· Make up overall story of the exhibit and determine what the role of the sword is within
the exhibit
o Specify where the object is, what the exhibit is about, and how that plays a role
in the label.

Overall Story:
· Solingen Steel Around the World
o Making quality military and government ceremonial swords for officers around
the world.
o Exhibit sections that highlight the styles offered to governments and militaries
across history.
o Focus on the particular style and construction of the blade presented to Patrick
Cleburne (CSA).
o Separate exhibit that demonstrates the “Solingen Method” of blade production
that ties into the styles of blade sold around the world.

The Blade Itself:

· Presented to Major General P.R. Cleburne by his old regiment, the 15th Arkansas.
· The blade is nickel plated and was produced in Solingen, Germany.
· Foot officer’s style of European manufactured blade, plain, no design.
· All decoration applied by the Atlanta dealer.
· Cleburne died at the battle of Franklin, Tennessee in 1864.

The Label: Solingen Steel Around the World

· The quality of blades made in Solingen have been known worldwide since the Middle
Ages. Solingen blades have been present at some of the most defining moments of world
history. This foot officer style blade, designed by WKC, boasts a nickel-plated blade and
was manufactured without any decorative designs. The blade was gifted to Major General
Patrick Cleburne of the Confederate States of America, with ornamentation added by a
local American manufacturer. After his death in 1864, the sword was kept as a family
heirloom until the 1950s.
o Word Count: 87
Edited Label:

· Include the cost of the sword then and now

Intro to Gallery: The quality of blades made in Solingen have been known worldwide since the
Middle Ages. Solingen blades have been present at some of the most defining moments of world
history.

Label (edited): This foot officer style blade, designed by WKC, boasts a nickel-plated blade and
was manufactured without any decorative designs. The blade was gifted to Major General
Patrick Cleburne of the Confederate States of America, with ornamentation added by a local
American manufacturer. After his death in 1864, the sword was kept as a family heirloom until
the 1950s.

Jen Glaze
Edited Label for the Calvary Sword
October 13, 2022

I edited this label to allow visitors to reflect on not just the story of the sword’s ownership, but how the
object itself changed. I kept the primary vision based on the team’s original work last week, but added a
personal touch.

Label:
How does a sword change with time?
This foot officer style blade is just an example of Solingen, Germany’s well-known craftsmanship. The
blade in front of you was designed by WKC without any decorations. However, decorative designs were
later added by a local, American manufacturer after the sword was gifted to Major General Patrick
Cleburne of the Confederate States of America in the 1800s. After his death in 1864, the sword remained
a family heirloom until the 1950s.