Oropa Sanctuary Italy Souvenir Building

This rare metal replica of the Sanctuary of Oropa is also an inkwell. The real building, Italian: santuario di Oropa, is part of a group of Roman Catholic buildings and structures in the northern municipality of Biella, Italy. This seems to be a replica of the museum building at the complex. According to legend, a black wooden statue of the Virgin Mary carved by Saint Luke was found in Jerusalem by Saint Eusebius of Vercelli and carried to Oropa in the 4th century AD and placed into a small niche in a big boulder. The Sanctuary grew and has been developed through the years into a spectacular architectural ensemble of important monumental buildings. The complex is made up of three large courtyards built on three levels and was designed by the great Savoyard architects Arduzzi, Gallo, Beltramo, Juvarra, Guarini, Galletti and Bonora between the mid 17th and 18th centuries finishing with the Upper Basilica which was consecrated in 1960. The first courtyard, faced by restaurants, bars, and several shops for the visitors, is followed by the wide square containing the Ancient Basilica. It can be reached by the monumental staircase and the Royal Door. 

Concord Gas Light Company Sterling Silver Inkwell Building Replica

New Hampshire Historical Society’s sterling silver Concord Gas Light Company presentation inkwell was made by the world-renowned silver manufacturer, William B. Durgin of Concord. Thanks to collector, Steve V. for this tip about this building replica in the museum's collection. This unique piece of presentation silver, made as a miniature version of the Concord Gas Light Company’s gasholder house, was given to John M. Hill, treasurer and manager of the company in 1889. The circular brick gasholder house building, measuring 86 feet in diameter and standing 80 feet high, was constructed in 1888. It was capable of holding 125,000 cubic feet of gas. The gasholder house was used until 1952 when the company hooked up to a larger network supplying natural gas. No longer needing to store gas, the company put the gasholder house out of service. The structure today is the only enclosed gasholder house in the United State to have survived intact. The recipient of the inkwell, John M. Hill (1821-1900), was the son of New Hampshire Governor Isaac Hill and Susanna Ayer of Concord, NH. The owner of the New Hampshire Patriot, in 1855 Hill became treasurer and manager of the Concord Gas Light Company, serving until January 1889. Interested in civic and state improvements, Hill also served as a member of the Concord Water Commission and Fire Department. He was the Democratic candidate for governor in 1884.

Souvenir Building of Mosque in Algiers, Paris and Poland is a Bank or Inkwell

Reader of this blog, Donna S., sent me photos and information about a souvenir building similar to one that appears in the book, Monumental Miniature, where it is described as a Polish Synagogue (Fig. 479). This one has a small plaque, written in German, the translation means, “Souvenir of Warsaw”  and stands 3 ¾ inches tall. However, Donna’s replica has the words, "SOUVENIR D'ALGER LA MOSQUEE" on the base and the words, "Exposition Coloniale - Paris 1931" printed above that. This one measures about 4 1/2 inches by 2 3/4 inches and stand 4 3/4 inches high. The real Djemaa el-Djedid in Algiers is near the waterfront and on the Place des Martyrs. It is said to date from 1660. Descriptions of this mosque refer to it as an Ottoman mosque that incorporates Turkish, Andalusian and Christian architectural details. It is designed in the shape of a cross, has an Andalusian minaret and vaults and domes in the Turkish style. See the post card pictured below. So, it is likely that there was a real mosque that looked like these replicas in three places: One is the Djemaa el-Djedid (New Mosque) in Algiers, another built for the 1931 Colonial Exposition in Paris, and yet another somewhere in Warsaw, Poland. I have not been able to locate the building in Poland and it may have first been built as a mosque and later became a synagogue. There are also three types of these replicas – an inkwell, a coin bank and a box version and two size of each. All versions have a hinge which opens the reveal either he stored coins or inkwell inserts.

Georgia Railroad Bank Replica with Clock and Inkwell

Collector Howie G. sent me the following information about how he tracked down an unusual replica of the Georgia Railroad Bank.

“During a recent business trip to Orlando I called upon fellow building collector Marty G.  I had never seen his collection, and Marty and Jakob graciously invited me to their beautiful home to see their most impressive assemblage of souvenir buildings.  When I arrived, Marty had thoughtfully placed some of his most prized possessions on a separate table for my viewing pleasure. My eye immediately focused on the large Georgia Railroad Bank building, which I had never seen before.  An impressive 7 or so inches tall on a 5 by 7 inch base, this lead replica includes a clock and an inkwell.  It’s very similar to some Art Metal Works pieces such as the Maryland Casualty Company, Vanadium, and US Fidelity & Guaranty buildings. Try as I might, I could not cajole Marty into even considering an offer to let it go.  Indeed, he told me it was one of his favorite souvenir buildings, and I could certainly understand why. An optimist by nature, I left his home with dreams of one day finding a Georgia Railroad Bank building.  Once back in New York, I commenced a full court press, first researching the building to determine its location (Augusta), then followed up with every local antique dealer, collector, newspaper, museum, and historical society I could find. Unsuccessful but undaunted, I began researching the names of people that had worked at the bank.  One replied to me that most of the souvenirs were destined to remain in Augusta where they belonged, and not sold to a Yankee building collector up north. I eventually heard back from a gentleman whose father had been a director of the bank, had recently passed away, and sure enough, had the object of my desires, for which he would consider a fair offer.  Long story short, it’s now safely ensconced in my collection, but will be heading west soon for a professional paint stripping and restoration. “ – Howie.

The souvenir building replica may be from the early 1900’s and made from lead by the Art Metal Works company. The real Georgia Railroad Bank and Trust Co.’s Main Office building was located on Broad and 7^th Streets in Augusta, Georgia. Constructed in 1902, the building was renovated and became part of the C&S Bank around 1968-1969. I could not find much information about the building’s current status, but checked on Google maps and it does not appear that the structure still exists. 

York Hall / Stoeckel Hall Inkwell Building

A double-well inkwell replica of York Hall, a building on the campus of Yale University, was produced sometime before 1954. The words, 'York Hall,' appear above the door in the souvenir building. The roof lifts off to reveal two square ink holders in this very rare item. The body of this replica is made of plaster, with a thin coating of what might be a bronze material on the exterior. Inside the lid, the maker's label reads, "Made by Kathodion Bronze Works New York." The inkwell building measures:  4 3/8 inches high, 7 3/4 wide, 3 7/8 deep. This Venetian Gothic building, originally called York Hall, was renamed for music professor Gustave Stoeckel in 1954. Stoeckel Hall, currently home to the Music Department, is located on the corner of College and Wall Streets in New Haven, Connecticut. The real building was designed by Grosvenor Atterbury and completed in 1897 as a residence for Chi Phi Fraternity. 

National Bank of Commerce Inkwell

This rare souvenir building replica of a Kansas City, Missouri bank is made of lead and finely detailed. One of these inkwells, despite having a small hole on one side, sold on eBay for $826. The top has the words, "National Bank of Commerce, June 1908, Kansas City Mo." The top flips up to reveal a glass insert for ink. It measures 3 1/4" tall x 23 9/16" wide x 2" deep. The real Commerce Bank traces its beginnings to 1865 when Francis Reid Long came to Kansas City with $10,000 capital to start the Kansas City Savings Association. By 1890, the bank, then named the National Bank of Commerce, was the largest bank west of Chicago. IN 1908, George A. Fuller, Co. designed a new Head Quarters made of concrete, granite, brick, asphalt and terra cotta. Today, Commerce Bank, also known as the Commerce Trust Company Building, is a Missouri-based company with headquarters in Kansas City and St. Louis, operates in five states: Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Oklahoma and Colorado. Commerce Bank has always been an innovator. In 1928, the Company began the first 24-hour transit department in the country. This helped speed up the transit of checks between banks. The 1984, the bank introduced 'Special Connections,' the first card in the market to have the combined features of a credit card and ATM card, was introduced.

Travelers Insurance Company Inkwell

This highly-prized metal souvenir building and inkwell was created in 1924 to commemorate the 60th Anniversary (1864-1924) of the Travelers Indemnity and Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut. The detail of this building replica is incredible with window panes and even a 3rd floor pedestrian bridge between buildings included. The tallest of the four buildings in the complex stands about 7" high and the base measures 5 1/4" x 5." Around the four sides of the base are the words: "The Travelers Insurance Company" "1864 The Travelers Hartford Connecticut 1924 " "The Travelers Indemnity Company" and finally "60th Anniversary Convention” In very tiny lettering a makers mark reading “Whitehead Hoag” and “Made in the USA” are also written on the beveled base. The original finish has a wonderful aged bronze patina. Recently, three of these inkwells sold on ebay - all in different condition and all for different prices. The first had a very damaged base corner and was missing the inkwell cover but included the glass insert. The auction ended at $170. The second Travelers was in excellent condition, but was missing glass inkwell insert. The ebay auction ended on this one at $710. The third also was missing the glass inkwell insert and the tip on the tallest building had been broken at come point and then professionally replaced by Microcosms. The ebay auction ended on this one at $1,325 - proving the variations in condition and auction timing can yield wildly different results. Other versions of the Travelers insurance building include those encased in Lucite. The company, now part of The Travelers Companies, has had many firsts in the history of insurance, including the first automobile, commercial airline and space travel policies. The first section of the Travelers building, built in 1906, was the Renaissance Revival-style structure facing Main Street in Hartford. The building began to expand southwards with the 527-foot pointed tower, featuring classical influences designed by architect Donn Barber. This 24-story section was completed in 1919, at which time it was the tallest building in New England and the seventh tallest in the world. In 1963, after the removal of some adjacent buildings between the tower and the Wadsworth Atheneum, a new grand entrance plaza was created facing south. At the 27th floor is a loggia, serving as an open observation area, the four corners of its roof being supported by Doric columns. The roof of the loggia, or cupola, is pyramidal in shape, sloping toward a finial surmounted by a cluster of gold-colored metal globes varying from four to 20 inches in diameter. The finial was damaged in a 1996 wind storm, and no longer sits atop the tower. Above the cupola, at the 36th floor level, is a beacon which emits a bluish light, visible for many miles, serving as a guide for night-flying aircraft. Now called the Travelers Tower, the building’s observation deck is open to the public on weekdays from May through October, free of charge. Falcons seem to also enjoy the tower’s view. It became a nesting site for Peregrine Falcons, an endangered species.