Crested Ceramic Souvenir Buildings, Monuments, Towers, Statues, and Memorials

Ever notice these ceramic buildings, monuments and towers commonly called “crested china?” Goss crested china is typically in the form of small white glazed porcelain models, made from 1858 to 1939, carrying the coat of arms of the place where they were sold as a souvenir, thus being a form of model heraldic china. Other factories, including Carlton, Shelley, Willow and Arcadian, also made souvenir ware but Goss is one of the more collectable types. William Henry Goss (1833-1906), owner of the Falcon pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, England is credited with the idea of making souvenir ware bearing crests and names of seaside resorts in the late 19th century. The white glazed porcelain souvenirs are popular in the British Isles and are sometimes classical shapes of Roman and Greek antiquities. There are also many ceramic replicas of attractions including Tower Bridge, London’s Marble Arch, Windsor Castle, stadiums, cottages, churches, monuments and towers. The First World War caused a decline in production and in 1929 the Goss family sold their factory which continued to produce souvenir ware until the end of the 1930s. After the Second World War interest in Goss was revived. As with souvenir buildings, there is a club for Goss crested china collectors.

I collect 3D metal souvenir building replicas of architecture from around the world. If you have any to sell or trade, contact me via my email address in the “complete profile” link at the top right of this blog.

Horse-Mounted Monument Souvenirs & Replicas

Napoleon, Joan of Arc, Paul Revere, George Washington and other military leaders have been memorialized atop a horse. Some miniature replicas of these statues include a plinth or base to the monument, while others do not. Displayed here are some of the many variations of souvenir monuments and memorials to the mount and rider. The equestrian statue monument, with a horse-mounted rider, dates back to ancient Rome, when military leaders and emperors commissioned bronze statues to emphasize their leadership roles. The only remaining equestrian statue in Rome is that of Marcus Aurelius on Capitoline Hill.
During the Renaissance, here was a resurgence of equestrian statues and the style made its way to the United States in the 1850’s. The art form became less popular when horses lost their status as work and war animals to mechanical forms of war in the 20th century. Ever wonder why the horses on monuments have different leg positions? There are many beliefs regarding horse statue memorials and the meaning of raised legs. Legend has it that if the horse has one leg raised, the rider was harmed during the battle. If the horse raised upright on its hind legs, the rider is said to have died in battle, and if all four hooves are on the ground, the rider survived the battle unharmed.
 While some statues do follow that tradition, maybe out of coincidence, many statues do not so this may just be a common misconception.  

Confederate Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument Souvenir Replica

The seller of this rare replica of the Confederate Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in Richmond, Virginia believes it was given to dignitaries at the dedication of the monument in 1984. The souvenir monument stands 17 inches tall with a 6 x 6 inch base. Another collector pointed out that the bayonet is missing from the replica or was never included. The real monument is a 17-feet-high standing bronze figure of a Confederate soldier standing on a Corinthian” capital atop a 73-feet-high granite column on Libby Hill in Richmond, Virginia. It was unveiled May 30, 1894, at a reunion of Confederate Veterans. The bronze figure of a Confederate Soldier surmounting the top of the monument is said to be the largest piece of solid bronze ever cast in the United States. There are many other Civil War monuments in the southern city of Richmond. Do you know of other souvenir replicas that were created? 

Rome's Romulus and Remus Statue Replicas

There are many variations of Romulus and Remus statue made as souvenirs. Ever notice how different the depiction of the wolf and brothers can be? Some are detailed and some are not. Some castings show the twins well and others display an unrecognizable blob under the wolf. Some even depict the wolf as emaciated, as seen in the second photo above. Guess those two kids were hungry. According to myth, Romulus and Remus are twins and central characters in the foundation of the city of Rome. As babies, the twins are abandoned to die in the river Tiber. They are saved by a series of miraculous interventions: the river carries them to safety, a she-wolf named Lupa finds and suckles them, and a woodpecker feeds them.

Full-Size Statues Indoors

As souvenir building collectors, we enjoy having miniature buildings, monuments and statues in our homes. But what do you think about having a full-size statue in the center of your living room? According to the website, Gwarlingo, “Tatzu Nishi, a Japanese artist who lives in Berlin, Germany, and Tokyo, Japan, is known for his unconventional, site-specific public art projects, which transform historical monuments by placing them in domestic settings. The idea is to place public monuments, which are so often invisible and taken for granted, into a new context. After all, how often are we allowed to get up close and personal with a 13-foot statue with Christopher Columbus?”

Military Memorial Statue Souvenir Replicas

Memorial Day, an annual federal holiday observed in the U.S. on the last Monday of May. Originally known as Decoration Day, it began when southern ladies organizations and schoolchildren decorated Confederate graves in Richmond and other cities during the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been expanded to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials to honor those who have died in military service and also place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries. Some of these statues and memorials have been reproduced in miniature. A distinctive memorial on the Gettysburg Battlefield, the Irish Brigade Monument honors three New York Regiments who combined their state appropriations to erect the bronze and granite monument that was dedicated on July 2, 1888. A Limited-edition pewter sculpture stands 5¼" high including the walnut base. A Masonic Civil War Memorial called, “Friend to Friend” has two military figures. Navy memorial statues have been reproduced in Pewter including the Lone Sailor and Homecoming. A solid pewter Minuteman statue on top of square solid walnut base stands 4.5" tall. A large Iwo Jima replica of the famous Arlington, Virginia memorial is available at an online gift shop.  A northern Colorado Veterans Plaza Bronze Maquette Statue replica is for sale in 3 sizes and prices. 

USAF Academy Eagle and Fledgling statue

This rare vintage metal souvenir of the United States Air Force Academy Eagle and Fledgling statue stands almost 4 1/2 inches high. One sold on eBay recently for $56. The real Academy Eagle and Fledgling statue takes flight at the south end of the Air Gardens and was given as a gift to the Academy in 1958 by the personnel of Air Training Command. It contains the inscription by Austin Dusty Miller, “Man’s flight through Life is Sustained by the Power of his Knowledge.”

Dressing and Decorating Statues

The Mannequin Pis statue dons a prison uniform. Did he get caught and arrested for urinating in public? Humans are not the only one getting dressed in costume for Halloween. Translated as “little man pee,” the Manneken-Pis statue in Belgium is a two-foot-tall bronze statue of a little boy peeing into a fountain. It was designed in the 17th century by a man named Jerome Duquesnoy, and it has been surprising visitors ever since. The Manneken-Pis is one of Belgium's most well-known cultural icons. The statue itself is naked, but locals are constantly dressing him up for holidays, events or just for fun. His outfits have ranged from judo to Dracula to Santa Claus and many more. They even occasionally hook the little statue up to a beer keg, and the Manneken-Pis will pee in your beer mug. Another tradition is at the U.S, Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The midshipmen paint the Tecumseh Statue on Campus. the bust of the Indian chief is believed to be a good luck charm of the students, who toss pennies at it for luck. For special occasions, like the Navy-Army football game, it is decorated with warpaint. Most of the year, it stands in its natural grey stone state.

Daughters of the American Revolution Monument

Called the Founders Statue, this monument is located next to the Daughters of the American Revolution building, Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. On April 17, 1929 under the leadership of President General Grace L. H. Brosseau, the National Society DAR dedicated this memorial to its four founders: Mary Desha, Mary Smith Lockwood, Ellen Hardin Walworth, and Eugenia Washington. Noted artist and DAR member Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney sculpted this beautiful monument from Tennessee marble. The graceful, feminine form depicted here is typical of Whitney’s sculptures. The human figure was her favorite medium through which to illustrate the expanse of human emotions and ideas. On the memorial is written, “TO THE WOMEN WHOSE PATRIOTIC FORESIGHT MADE POSSIBLE THE NATIONAL SOCIETY DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 1890-1990” A souvenir replica of this monument seems to be well made of silver/aluminum metal, but not much is know about it.

U.S. Capitol Statue of Freedom Replicas

You may not know her name. She seems to play second fiddle to her sister, Ms. Liberty. She is ‘Freedom’ and stands high atop the U.S. Capitol dome. The bronze Statue of Freedom by Thomas Crawford is the crowning feature of the dome of the United States Capitol. The statue is a classical female figure of Freedom wearing flowing draperies. Her right hand rests upon the hilt of a sheathed sword; her left holds a laurel wreath of victory and the shield of the United States with thirteen stripes. Her helmet, encircled by stars and features a crest composed of an eagle's head, feathers, and talons, is a reference to the headdress of Native Americans. A brooch inscribed "U.S." secures her fringed robes. She stands on a cast-iron globe encircled with the words E Pluribus Unum, the national motto at the time of her placement atop the dome. The lower part of the base is decorated with fasces and wreaths. Ten bronze points tipped with platinum are attached to her headdress, shoulders, and shield for protection from lightning. The bronze statue stands 19 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 15,000 pounds. Her crest rises 288 feet above the east front plaza. On May 9, 1993, after almost 130 years in place, the bronze statue was removed from its pedestal by helicopter for restoration. The work was needed because of extensive pitting and corrosion on the surface of the bronze and because of a crack and rusting on the cast-iron pedestal. A plaster model of the Freedom statue, which had been in storage for 25 years, was reassembled and restored in the basement rotunda of the Russell Senate Office Building, where it was returned to public display in January 1993. In late 2008 the model was relocated to the new Capitol Visitor Center, where it is now a focal point of Emancipation Hall. Miniature replicas of the Statue of Freedom are available and they seem to be missing from many souvenir building collectors’ shelves. I’ve seen them produced in metal, resin and even as a bell.

Christ the Redeemer Statue

What has become a national symbol of Brazil, the Christ the Redeemer statue towers over the city of Rio de Janeiro. The statue of Jesus Christ is considered the second largest Art Deco statue in the world. Standing 39.6 meters (130 ft) tall, including its 9.5-meter (31 feet) pedestal, it weighs 635 tons. Located at the peak of the 700-meter Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park, he overlooks the city below. A symbol of Christianity, the statue has become an icon of Rio and Brazil. Local engineer Heitor da Silva Costa designed the statue and it was then sculpted by French sculptor Paul Landowski. Constructed out of reinforced concrete, the outer layers are soapstone, chosen for its enduring qualities and ease of use. Construction took nine years - from 1922 to 1931. In 2007, Christ the Redeemer was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Souvenir replicas of the statue vary in size and material – from pot metal to plastic.

Totem Pole Souvenir Replicas

Last year for Thanksgiving, Scott D. wrote a series of posts about related souvenir buildings. He included the Pilgrim monument in Provincetown; Plymouth Rock souvenirs and even the town of Plymouth. I also wrote about historic Jamestown Virginia and miniature replicas there. This year, however, I had difficulty finding additional Thanksgiving-related souvenirs to write about. So, in honor of our Native American friends who helped the Pilgrims on the first Thanksgiving, let’s explore something iconic in their culture – the totem pole. There is a mini replica of the Totem pole at Pioneer Square in Seattle. The souvenir stands 4 inches high and was made for the BPOE (The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks), a 141-year-old fraternal lodge. On the back of the pole are the words, “Complements of Seattle Lodge No. 92 BPOE. “ The base reads, “Totem Pole Pioneer Square Seattle. Seattle Wantsyouvin 1915. The real tribal history of the Indian.” The final base panel has an elk’s head with the words “Cervus Alces” which means elk. I’ve seen another version with the front base panel depicting the head of the Indian Chief Seattle. Most monument replicas seem to be made with a copper/bronze finish, but some have been repainted. The souvenir totem pole has 6 faces and animals on the front. The real Pioneer Square Totem Pole has a storied history and not a very respectful one. This Totem was stolen from Native Americans. During the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1800’s, Seattle was a center for travel to Alaska. In 1899, a group of prominent businessmen stole a 60-foot totem pole from a Tlingit village in Alaska and placed it in Pioneer Place Park. The totem pole stood there until an arsonist destroyed the pole in 1938. The city then sent the pieces back to the Tlingit tribe who carved a new one and gave it to Seattle (after finally getting paid for the one that was originally stolen). In addition to the totem pole, a wrought-iron Victorian pergola and a bust of Chief Seattle were added to the park in 1909.Native Americans of the Northwest Coast carved totem poles to document important events, family history, and to identify a family or a clan. The Seattle totem belonged to the Raven Clan (English surname Kinninook) and had been carved in about the year 1790 to honor a woman named Chief-of-All-Women who drowned in the Nass River while on a journey to visit an ailing sister. The top carving was that of a raven, which in Tlingit mythology did everything, knew everything, and seemed to be everywhere at once. In Seattle, the raven faced north up 1st Avenue. I have also seen totem pole replicas from Alaska and Canada produced in metal, resin, wood and stone. Do you know of other totem pole replicas?

History Chess and Recession Souvenirs

The history of the last Century has been compaired to a chess game: a tournament of opposing political systems, ideologies, brands and artisitic movements. Boym Partners does it again with an unique take on a chess board and miniature buildngs. Each figure in History Chess alludes to an icon of last Century’s storied history. From a sinking Titanic to the falling World Trade Center. The Space Shuttle, Unabomber cabin even a Coke bottle and VW Beetle are included. 32 different hand-carved wooded chess pieces are set on a 4 by 4-foot board. This one must be pricey because the ‘prices is available upon request.” Recession Souvenirs are described on the Boym site as the first casualties of a world-wide downturn – architecture project. Canceled or put “on hold” these five potential skycrapers are reduced to tabletop size. The set includes Burj al Alam in Dubai, the Russian Tower in Moscow, Busan Lotte Tower in Korea Herzong & de Meuron’s condo tower in NY and the controversial Cheesegrater intended for London. The miniature skyscrapers are hand-cast in colorful resin. They are available on the Boym website for $95 each.

Figural Statue Miniatures

We are all familiar with the statue of liberty, Abe Lincoln seated in the Lincoln memorial and the large standing Thomas Jefferson in his memorial, but have you ever noticed the other sometime quirky figural human souvenir statues of both famous and fictional people? One miniature metal replica depicts the Alaska Pioneer Statue in Sitka, Alaska. Standing 4.5" tall, the base has written “ALASKA PIONEER” on one edge. Sitting outside the Cass Gilbert-designed Essex County Courthouse Building in Newark, New Jersey, is a statue of President Abraham Lincoln seated on a bench. The statue was recreated by Gutzon Borglum, sculptor of Mount Rushmore. This miniature replica stands (or sits) 4.5" tall with a 3.75 by 2.5" base. It’s made of cast iron with brass/gold finish. Built in 1952, the Wendover Will neon sign towers above the Stateline Casino in Wendover, Nevada. Designed by Pat Denner; the same person who made the famous 'Vegas Vic' Las Vegas sign. Towering 63 feet tall, Wendover Will is in the Guinness of World Records as the 'World's largest mechanical cowboy.’ The Wendover Will souvenir statue stands about 5 inches tall. This 1950's souvenir is unusual and sold recently for $39. A well-made 5.25" tall miniature metal replica of the legendary Colossus of Rhodes statue in Greece has a copper finish. The base of this 1960’s-era reads Metamme Greece. The real Colossus of Rhodes was a statue of the Greek god Helios, erected on the Greek island of Rhodes by Chares of Lindos between 292 and 280 BC. It is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Before its destruction, the Colossus of Rhodes stood over 30 meters (107 ft) high, making it one of the tallest statues of the ancient world. Near the Pioneer Woman museum in Ponca City Oklahoma, stands a monument to pioneering women of the west. The heroic bronze statue of a young, sun bonneted pioneer mother, leading her son by the hand, striding confidently, head held high—a woman of sturdy beauty and dignity, whose eyes are fixed on the far southwestern horizon. Sculptor Bryant Baker designed the real statue in 1929 which stands17 feet tall and weighs 6 tons. A miniature metal figurine of the statue is 4.5" tall and weighs a helluva lot less. Cast in pot metal with a golden finish, the replica’s base reads “Pioneer Woman” “Ponca City” and “Oklahoma.” There are many statues of Abe Lincoln around the U.S. including a seated Abe Lincoln statue in front of the Essex County Courthouse in New Jersey. A gold-colored pot metal replica was made and comes up on eBay occasionally. Hannibal, Missouri’s two most famous fictional residents are immortalized in a bronze statue. In 1926, the life-size monument to Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn walking shoulder to shoulder was unveiled. A pot metal souvenir replica of the statue stands about 3½" tall. The miniature’s base has their names and on the back it says Hannibal, Mo. Standing in Veterans Memorial Square along Veterans Memorial Boulevard’s median in Metairie, New Orleans, is a 14 ft. bronze statue to Sheriff Harry Lee. A bronze-colored miniature statue was created as an exact replica, right up to the cowboy hat that he is holding in his right hand. This souvenir is approximately 6 ¾ inches tall and the inscription on the front of the statue, which is imprinted on a removable piece of clear heavy plastic, reads “In Memoriam Sheriff Harry Lee 1932-2007.” Do collect souvenir statues along with your building replica collection? Tell us about it via the comments link below.

Copenhagen Mermaid Statue

The Little Mermaid will soon be swimming to China. One of Denmark's top tourist attractions, the statue of Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale mermaid character, will be sent to China for the Shanghai 2010 World Expo. When the plan to send the statue to China emerged last year, it created a heated debate in Denmark. Some politicians have said six months was too long for one of Copenhagen's landmarks to be away from the Scandinavian country. Sitting on a rock at the entrance of Copenhagen harbor since 1913, she draws an estimated 1 million visitors a year. The Danish pavilion, called Welfairytales, at the World Expo will portray Denmark as an environmentally friendly country by combining the old with the new -- fairy tales and welfare. The sculpture, which sits on a granite block in Copenhagen's port, sits only 5.45-feet tall and was created in 1913 by Edvard Eriksen. The Hans Christian Andersen fairytale that bears her name was first published in 1837 and has since been turned into a Walt Disney cartoon. It tells the story of a young mermaid who is willing to give up everything for the love of a prince. Although the little mermaid statue led a quiet life well into the 1950s, she has since received ignominious treatment on a number of occasions. She has been doused in paint several times, decapitated by a group of artists in 1964, blown off her rock in 2003 and dressed in a Muslim headscarf two years ago in apparent protest at the prospect of Turkish European Union membership. Souvenirs of Little Mermaid mostly all have either a metal or plastic figure attached to an actual stone. Other versions include older bronze miniatures and fine hand-painted porcelain replicas.

Lincoln Statues & Monuments

I believe there are hundreds of statues commemorating President Lincoln around the United States, but how many different souvenirs have been made of those statues? Statue replica seems to represent Abe from a boy through adulthood and from Illinois to Gettysburg. A while back, I wrote also about a mystery Lincoln monument which is either lost or destroyed. Let’s not forget about Mt. Rushmore souvenirs which have been made in almost every size and material. I found this web site which has links and photos of Lincoln statues in almost every state in the country. In the next Lincoln post, I’ll explore other buildings and souvenirs commemorating Lincoln.

More Santa’s Workshop Souvenirs

Mark M. read my post about Santa’s Workshop and sent me some additional photos. A pot metal statue features a reindeer, the jolly fat man himself and in the center, the famous ‘north pole’ which always remained frozen – even during the summer. The metal ashtray also shows scenes from the theme park in relief.

Plymouth Massachusetts Souvenirs

Best known for being the landing site of the Mayflower, Plymouth was the location of the first Thanksgiving feast. As Thanksgiving approaches, reader Scott D. did some research and gobbled up facts about turkey-day souvenir buildings. He serves them up for everyone to feast upon...

“Plymouth Massachusetts was founded in 1620 by the Pilgrims and, unlike Jamestown, was founded by citizens who were fleeing religious persecution and searching for a place to worship God as they saw fit. This search for religious freedom led to the founding of the 2nd permanent English colony in America. One souvenir that is very appealing includes all the high points of interest in the town of Plymouth. Included are the Founding Fathers Monument, Plymouth Rock, Plymouth Plantation, Massasoit Statue, The Mayflower and Plymouth Light. This piece was made in the 1950-60’s and was manufactured in Japan. (Many such cityscapes from the time period are manufactured there as well) It is mostly found as a paperweight, but has been made as an ashtray as well. One of the points of interest on the left of the cityscape is the Statue of Massasoit. Massasoit (meaning “great sachem”) was the name used by the Pilgrims for the leader of the Wampanoag tribe. His real name was Wawmegin, or "Yellow Feather." Massasoit remained friendly and accommodating to the newcomers throughout his lifetime. With Massasoit’s help, the colony’s success was ensured. The statue of Squanto is not far from Plymouth Rock. Not surprising, there are souvenirs of the statue. One is from the 1920-1940’s and is on the left in the photo below. It is made of lead, but the manufacture is unknown. Another version of the same statue is from the 1950-1970’s made out of pot metal, on right in the photo below. It is most likely made in Japan. This version has the full bolder base of the real statue. There probably are more monument statues from the Plymouth area. If anyone knows of any more, please feel free to leave a comment. In the next few days, I will introduce other souvenir monuments and buildings related to the Pilgrims." - Scott.

Robert Fulton Monument

My last post about the Henry Hudson Memorial Column got me thinking again. In everything I read about the Hudson-Fulton Celebration there seemed to be no discussion about creating a monument to Robert Fulton. It was after all commemorating both men’s achievements. Could my souvenir monument be of Fulton and not Hudson. That could be another explanation for the differences in the statues on top. Turns out, when the celebration began in 1909, a Fulton Statue already existed. Created in 1872, a Fulton statue stood in Brooklyn and while it’s not on a tall column, the figure does look similar to the souvenir. His right foot if forward, left hand it up at his midsection, right hand it up and he’s wearing a long coat. All, except that beard. That long unmistakable bead. I searched, but couldn’t find an image of Fulton with a beard. Hummm. Could this souvenir be of the Fulton statue in Brooklyn and given out during the Hudson-Fulton Celebration or is it the prototype for the Henry Hudson Statue yet to be built at that date? Do you know of a souevnir replics of the Robert Fulton Statue? The mystery continues. Robert Fulton (1765–1815) was an American engineer and inventor. He is best remembered for the successful steamboat North River, also known as Clermont. His invention helped to revolutionize commercial traffic worldwide. In 1872, the Society of Old Brooklynites commissioned this larger-than-life sculptural portrait of Fulton, describing him as having done “more than any other to promote and establish the use of steam in transportation of passengers and freight.” The statue, by Casper Buberl, depicts Fulton holding a model of the Nassau, the first steam ferry from Brooklyn to New York. The residents of Brooklyn Heights erected the original zinc statue of Robert Fulton near the Fulton Ferry House at the foot of Fulton Street. When the ferry was discontinued, the statue was sent to the Brooklyn Bridge Yard of the Department of Plant and Structures. It remained there until the Society of Old Brooklynites sought a new location for the monument. The Society recovered the sculpture and had it repaired and placed in Fulton Park in 1930. Then, in 1955, a new polished black granite base replaced the cast stone pedestal and the statue was replicated in more durable bronze. The original deteriorated zinc sculpture was placed in the collection of the Museum of the City of New York.

I’ve heard from a few Building Collector readers regarding the Hudson Fulton Monument Mystery. Bill T said, “One possibility for the lettering on our version is that A Furst did the catering for the "Official Banquet" and the legend should have read "A Furst, caterer.” Good point. If Mr. Furst catered the banquet, he might have been in charge of having the souvenirs created. From the NY Times article about the events, "Banquets came one after the other during the gay days of the Hudson-Fulton Celebration, and it is safe to say that at every one of them each guest found beside his or her plate a souvenir of the occasion." Could the souvenirs guests found on the tables be miniature bronze monument replicas?

Henry Hudson Monuments

The history of these monuments are mysterious: I'll call it the tale of three columns. Two are souvenir monuments with the same name, but they look different. The third is the real Henry Hudson Memorial Column whose figure looks very different than that of the souvenirs. After researching the history, I believe the column was built, but due to financial problems, the statue on top was installed many years later and with a different design from what was originally planned. One souvenir of the memorial is made of bronze with a square base which reads, ‘Hudson-Fulton Celebration Official Banquet Sept. 28 1909.’ Under the base, a maker’s mark reads “A. Furst Caterer, N.Y.” On top, the figure of Hudson is that of an old man donning a long beard, long coat and pointing into the distance. The second replica is in the Monumental Miniatures book (# 143) and has a large round base and column, but no figure on top. David Weingarten said regarding his souvenir, "I believe there was a figure on top originally, now lost. The base of ours reads “Hudson-Fulton Banquet Hotel Astor Sept. 29th 1909.” Cast in underneath the base is, I believe, Whitehead & Hoag, the maker. Some of this mark is obscured. On the base, at what I take to be the front of the monument, is an inset panel with a very schematic image of a sailing ship on water with a shoreline in the foreground." It’s too bad the figure is missing on top. What did the figure look like? It’s clear the souvenirs were made by different companies, for perhaps two different banquets because the dates are one day apart (28 & 29). The Hudson-Fulton Celebration lasted 2 weeks and featured many events.

Adding to the mystery, the design of the real Henry Hudson Memorial Column, located in Spuyten Duyvil in the Bronx borough of NYC, has a different style figure on top. The real memorial’s Hudson figure is a younger sea captain “clad in seafaring garb and stands as if balancing on a ship’s deck.’ The monument is named for explorer and navigator Henry Hudson, and pays tribute to the man who explored the river beginning in 1609. Henry Hudson explored the great river which was later named for him. Guiding his ship, called the “Half Moon,” he entered what is now New York Harbor and sailed up river. In his log book, Hudson wrote, “On that side of the river called Manna-hata, we saw no people to trouble us and we rode quietly all night.” Much later, in August 1807, the inventor Robert Fulton traveled up the Hudson River at a speed of five mile per hour in his steamboat, the Clermont. From September 25 to October 11, 1909, the State of New York commemorated both the 300th anniversary of the discovery of the Hudson River by Henry Hudson and the 100th anniversary of the first successful application of steam to navigation upon the river by Robert Fulton. Called the “Hudson-Fulton Celebration,” the extravaganza was held in New York City and on the Hudson River. Thousands participated with parades, exhibits and re-enactments of the earlier voyages. Plans were made to erect a monument to Hudson and to construct a Hudson Memorial Bridge linking the Inwood district of Manhattan with Spuyten Duyvil in the Bronx. Funds were raised, a site was donated and in 1909, ground was broken for the memorial. The project encountered multiple delays, but the 16-foot Doric column was set in place in 1912. Shortly afterwards, however, funds for the project ran out. Originally, Karl Bitter prepared a plaster model of a Henry Hudson figure, but due to a lack of funds this portion of the project was postponed. A few years later, Bitter died and the plaster model disappeared. The project was revived by Robert Moses in the late 1930s. Sculptor Karl H. Gruppe, a student of the original designer Bitter, redesigned the figure of Hudson and created the two bas-reliefs for the base of the column. The statue of Henry Hudson was finally placed on the column on January 6, 1938 and the area around the monument had been designated as a park.Clad in seafaring garb, Hudson stands as if balancing himself on a ship's deck. From his elevated position, Henry Hudson continues to keep watch over parkway and bridge and the ever-changing landscape along the river that bears his name. In 1989 Henry Hudson Park underwent a capital reconstruction which included new playground equipment, restoration the monument plaza, and improvement to the paths and stairways.

Wow…this is one of the longest posts I’ve written and it required the most research to date. Conclusion & Theory: I believe the 1909 souvenirs were prototypes of the design as planned. After many unusual circumstances and 26 years later, the memorial’s Hudson figure was finally completed, but with a very different design from the original.This story from the NY Times in 1909, discusses how a fad for banquet souvenirs peaked at the Hudson-Fulton Celebration. Attendees must have been crazy for memorabilia. I've found references to souvenir bronze coins and souvenir spoons made by Tiffany & Co. for the celebration. It’s very possible multiple makers and designs were created of the monument’s souvenir replica. Do you have or know of other souvenir replicas of the Henry Hudson Memorial Column? If so, let me know if the figure matches my monument or the real monument.