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This work is aimed at showing the results of a work of identification of the wood species used for the construction of the mechanical components of a historic pipe organ. The instrument was built in 1895 in Pistoia (Tuscany, Italy) for a church of a small municipality in the north-west of Tuscany, the summer residence of a family of ancient European nobility; it is therefore a large monumental organ, still original. During the restoration operations, and consequently on the disassembly, it was possible to carry out a complete sampling of the wooden components that are normally not directly accessible. The sampling was performed under the supervision of the restorer, through the cut and drawing of very small samples and with minimally invasive criteria. The identification was performed by observing thin sections, manually cut, by means of an optical microscope. The results of the identification carried out on the 25 samples are reported. The identified timbers are not very numerous and the most represented one is poplar (Populus sp.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the identification of the wood species used for the production of wooden tools in an ancient plant for manual paper production. After a quick historic contextualisation of the importance of the paper industry developed in the Pescia district (Tuscany, Italy), this paper describes the process of manual paper production and the different tools, mostly wooden, used by the workers. The historic plant "Le Carte" still preserves these tools, which were sampled to scientifically identify the timber species. Samples were drawn from any wooden component of the equipment involved in the whole manual paper making process. Sampling was performed on any portion of the artefact where the species of origin was not clearly and reliably identifiable by eye, or aided by a manual magnifying lens. In total, 1223 identifications were performed and 25 timber types observed. Most of timber identifications regard the large mould collection (434 artefacts, 1154 identifications, 17 timbers), while the equipment included fewer artefacts, identifications and timbers. Obtained results are then technologically discussed, considering the features of each species and the specific needs of each final use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]