Basilica at Lourdes Souvenir Replica

I recently acquired this large metal replica of Basilica in Lourdes, France. (see photo above) I love the size (over 13 inches tall) and fine detail in the miniature building. One thing struck me though – it’s not an exact replica of the existing church as it looks today. Missing are the two spires and the large complex in front that includes another church under wide walkways above (Compare to the photos, below, of another large version of the Basilica)  Where the spires would be are two matching

low rectangular structures. Why the difference, I wondered? While researching the building, I came across this fact:  “The exterior is dominated by a 70m spire, and two lesser spires (not completed until 1908).” Could my replica depict and earlier version of the basilica or an early planned design? Might this one show a pre-1908 view of the structure? This difference reminds me of souvenir replicas of Saint Joseph's Oratory in Montreal, Canada. I wrote about how that church’s design changed between 1922 and when it was completed in 1967. As a result, two replicas were made of the same church – The structure as planned and the structure as constructed. My version of the Basilica at Lourdes stands tall atop a rocky hill. On the front of the metal replica is written, “Notre-Dame de Lourdes” and the back, “Propriete V.B.” and “Depose” The real site became a sacred after a girl claimed to have experienced a series of apparitions of the Virgin Mary. The official name for this structure is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and known widely as the "Upper Church."  The Roman Catholic Church and minor basilica within the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, was constructed between 1866 and 1872 and consecrated in 1876, it was the second of the churches to be completed. The church was built on top of the rock above the Grotto and next to the Basilica of our Lady of the Rosary. The elaborate Gothic-style building, designed by architect Hyppolyte Durand, seems to emerge directly from the rock of Massabielle (the sanctuary is directly above the Grotto). Do you have information about these two versions of the Basilica Notre-Dame de Lourdes?

Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah From Your Fellow Building Collectors!

Fellow building collector, Steve V., sent me this holiday greeting photo he created using this souvenir collection. What a unique way of showing your holiday spirit while using something you love. How many of the individual buildings can you identify? (click on the photo to enlarge it) Wishing you and your family the best holiday season - whichever holiday you are celebrating. 

Boulder Dam & AT&T Building Models

Wright auction house in Chicago, which specializes in modern and contemporary design pieces, is auctioning two spectacular miniature buildings. Fellow collector Russell K. tipped me off to this auction. An amazing cast aluminum replica of the Boulder Dam. American sculptor Gladys Caldwell Fisher created the model of the Boulder Dam (now known as the Hoover Dam) in 1935. Her model features sidepanels with stylized Art Deco reliefs, representing flood control, power, irrigation, navigation, and water supply to one side and a wing-spread eagle to the other side. The model opens up to reveal the detailed diversion

tunnels while the interiors of the panels list the consultants, contractors, and government officials (up to and including Franklin Delano Roosevelt) involved with the project, and specifications for the dam’s structure, such as the diameter of the penstocks and the amount of concrete used to complete the Boulder Canyon Project. Few examples of this striking and detailed model are known. It measures 19.5 w x 14 d x 7 h inches. The second is a presentation model of the Philip Johnson & John Burgee AT&T Headquarters building in New York. Created in 1979, the architectural model is constructed of foam board, bass wood, mono-filament and sheet acetate mounted on a painted steel plate. It measures 7.25 w x 6.25 d x 19.5 h inches. The iconic buildings stands out in New York's skyline with its pink granite façade and its "Chippendale" ornamental top. The model was a gift from Philip Johnson to Christine Roussel at the outset of the project.

SBCCA Convention Commemorative Building Coin Banks

I wrote previously about souvenirs from the Souvenir Building Collector’s Society conventions (SBCS). Another collector’s group, the Still Bank Collectors Club of America (SBCCA) also produces a commemorative souvenir bank for their annual conventions. Sometimes these are designed to be building banks. Below are photos and some info about the coin bank buildings I compiled with the help of Marty G. and SBCCA historian Gene M.

2013 convention held in Chicago and souvenir piece was a building bank replica of the Fort Dearborn. Here is a lengthy, but interesting video from the 2013 SBCCA convention about the process to create metal coin banks.

2010 convention was in New Orleans and featured a replica of the St. Louis Cathedral designed by Don Duer and cast by the Talladega Foundry in Talladega, Alabama.  120 banks were manufactured.

2008 convention was in Orlando, Florida and InFocusTech designed the Suntrust building made of metal alloy.  The 2008 convention bank is a fine replica of the SunTrust Building in Orlando, Florida. At 5 1/2" tall, It is colorful with a coin slot is in the bottom. Each bank is serially numbered.  A low production run, as only 150 were crafted.

2004 Convention was held in Alexandria, Virginia and two souvenir banks were produced:

1)  A flat, cast iron "Capitol"  was designed by Don Duer. Originally painted by Jeanie Egelhoff. The Capitol Bank, was available in different color varieties: White, Spruce Green, Colonial Red or Deep Blue. Each bank is also nicely trimmed in gold gilt. 

2)  A five-color ceramic replica of George Washington’s home, Mt. Vernon, was made in Germany by club member Ulrike Riegraf-Blank. Approximately 150 were made.

1987 convention was in St. Louis and the old courthouse building under a St. Louis Arch was made in cast iron on a large oval base.  

Skyline Chess Set of London

London’s Canary Wharf building is under attack. Checkmate. Game over. But, what a game it would be if a chessboard was set up with architecture. Buildings rather than bishops and pediments rather than pawns. Via a Kickstarter campaign, a group of designers in London hopes to bring their chess dream come true and replace traditional chess pieces with the Gherkin, London Eye, Big Ben, Shard of Glass and Canary Wharf buildings.

Miniature Building Candles of New York

Return to the Raw candle sets are wax miniature buildings created by Lan Tuazon. The artist’s Skyscraper Candles have three distinct sets of buildings, all associated with different colors. The lavender color lends itself to banks, grey for office buildings, and black is reserved for the corporate spaces.They come with a wooden framed base, which also has other elements to serve as placeholders. This allows users to “design the buildings” how they want. After receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Cooper Union, Tuazon graduated from Yale with a Master’s in Sculpture. Calling New York both her home and her office, she “address the order of things as it relates to built and imaginary environments.” Three pricey candle sets were made, each in a limited edition of 100. WORLD BANKS (9 movable candles): Bank of America, 1 Chase Manhattan, 3 World Financial Center, 450 Lexington Avenue, Swiss Bank, 1 Financial Square, Continental Center, Mutual of America. CIVIC AND CORPORATE BUILDINGS (9 movable candles): Chrysler Building, AXA Center, General Motors, Solow Building, WR Grace, Home Insurance Plaza, Thurgood Marshall Court Building, Javits Federal Center, and Federal Office Building. OFFICE BUILDINGS (8 movable buildings): Empire State Building, 1 Penn Plaza, 520 Madison Building, 599 Lexington Avenue, Chanin Building, 17 State Street, 3 Park Avenue & 750 Seventh Avenue.