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George W. Shaw (1849-1927), of Deerfield, Massachusetts, is shown at the forge in his blacksmith shop. The charcoal fire is powered by a bellows, which he operates with his left hand while his right holds a pair of tongs with an iron object, perhaps a horseshoe, in the fire. When the object has reached the right temperature, it will be finished on the anvil in the center of the photograph. The only light in the room is from the fire and the windows. This lets the blacksmith better see the temperature of the fire by noting its color. Note the lack of safety equipment in this time.

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