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"Women at work in an unidentified laundry, possibly in Boston." Circa 1905. Currier Photo. View full size.
Here's a closeup. As we can see, the planks are not part of the ceiling.
Me thinks Nick's opinion is close enough to win the washer and dryer ---- the ceiling planking is not part of the ceiling but perhaps even a "dropped walkway or rollway" coming from another building ---- note how it comes level from the right for the first 5 boards, then begins a slight decline the rest of the way towards the left ---- also, one can note the "white" between the planking cracks....
It is weird looking. My best guess is that the wood planks are not part of the white (looks like plaster) ceiling, but some sort of platform slightly below the ceiling (storage perhaps). The horizontal pipe's elbow goes above the plank, making it appear cut off.
It would be apparent if it were paint the seams between the ceiling boards would yet clearly show ---- hmmm, the texture on the window panes match the disputed area of the ceiling....hmmm again....
I can't figure out why, that horizontal pipe at the top has an elbow on the left end that seems to be just cut short not going anywhere.
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