Stadium Souvenir Buildings: Part Three

Here is the last set of stadium souvenir building photos and information. I'm very sure there are even more not included in these three posts. If you have any stadium replicas not shown, send me a photo and some information about them and I can add to this post.
University of Illinois Memorial Stadium, Carbondale, 1930’s
Cast bronze ashtray
8” x 6.25” x 1.5” tall
no makers mark
Harvard University Stadium, 1930’s
Solid cast aluminum
5.25” x 3.5” x 1.25”
No mark, looks like a student project, poor casting

Ohio State University – 3 versions of the same stadium
All look like the same mold was used and are 4” x 3” x 1” tall
1930’s cast iron, painted red OSU in raised letters on the infield, no mark
1950’s cast aluminum, Ohio State in raised letters on the infield, bottom is inscribed R. C, Schneider Co, 184 long Ave, Columbus Ohio
1960’s ceramic, painted gray, Ohio State in raised letters on the infield, no mark
Ohio Stadium, home of Ohio State Buckeyes
Solid cast bronze
8" x 6" x 2" tall & weighs 7 pounds 10 ounces.
Made as a bookend perhaps for VIP's at the opening of the stadium
Very rare

One end (not the set) sold recently on eBay for $482.00

University of Minnesota Stadium, 1927
Aluminum casting
4” x 3.75” x 1” tall
Bottom is inscribed “Engineers Day 1927”
No makers mark

University of Texas Stadium
Cast Aluminum
4.25” x 4” x 1.5” tall
Texas in raised letters on the infield
“Mechanical Engineering Laboratories” in raised letters on the bottomSundevil Stadium, AZ, 1995
Resign I think, Commemorative from Super Bowl XXX
4.5” x 3” x 1.75” tall
Sports Collectors Guild Limited AdditionUniversity of Pennsylvania, 1930’s
Painted cast iron
4.75” x 3.5” x 1” tall
No makers markUniversity of Nebraska Stadium, 2001
Pewter on a green plastic base.
4.5” x 4” x 1” tall
Add piece for woods brothers realty
Made by Awards Unlimited
Montréal Olympic Stadium (Parc Olymique), 1976
Plastic Model in white or gold
7.5” x 4” x 2.5” tall
Marked made in Quebec, Souvenir POP Ent

Bush Stadium, St Louis, 1970’s
Ceramic ashtray
8” in diameter x 2” tall

Yale Bowl, University Stadium, 1990’s
Lennox China numbered as Limited Edition
7” x 5.5” x 1” tall
Commemorates the “Yale Committee of Twenty-One” who built the stadium in 1914
Dodgers Stadium, 1960’s
Ceramic ashtray
8” x 7” x 1”tall
Franciscan pottery

Soldiers Field Chicago, 1970’s
14” x 8” x 4” tall
Ceramic replica with working lights
Made by City Sights, I believe it was commissioned by Marshal Fields StoreThe Ryan Center - The University of Rhode Island
Made of solid pewter
Printed on the base are: "Ryan Center" and "Gilbane" (the construction company)
1.5 inchs tall and 4.75 inches square base
Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas
Modeled after the ancient Colosseum in Rome
Versions include ahard solid plastic replica and plastic coin bank The Colosseum in Rome
Various sizes and materials

Vietnam Memorial & Soldier statue

I have never seen a replica of the Korean War Memorial, the World War I Memorial, the expansive FDR Memorial nor the new World War II Memorial which area all nearby and worth visiting. But, both the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Vietnam Soldier Statue have had miniature replicas made. The wall souvenir is small, pewter and not that old, but is surprisingly hard to find. The soldier statue replica can still be purchased in D.C. gift shops and are made of resin. The real memorial honors U.S. service members who fought in the Vietnam War, those who died in service in Vietnam/South East Asia, and those service members who were unaccounted for during the War. The memorial currently consists of three separate parts: the Three Soldiers statue, the Vietnam Women's Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, which is the best-known part of the memorial. The Memorial Wall, designed byMaya Lin, is made up of two gabbro walls 246 feet 9 inches (75 m) long. The walls are sunk into the ground, with the earth behind them. At the highest tip (the apex where they meet), they are 10.1 feet (3 m) high, and they taper to a height of eight inches (20 cm) at their extremities.

Occidental Center Souvenir Building

This coin bank was commemorative souvenir produced for the Los Conquistadores Club Convention held in Los Angeles in April 1977. The souvenir building stands 6 inches tall and 8 inches long and has a coin slot at the top of the tallest tower. A replica of the occidental sold for $78.77 on eBay recently. Originally, it was home for the Occidental Life Insurance Company, later named the Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Co. The real building was difficult to track down information about because the name has changed so many, many times. From Occidental Center to Occidental Life Insurance Tower to the TransAmerica Center to SBC Tower, the building is now named the AT&T Center. Recently, the building underwent a $35 million remodel that has dramatically altered its look. The tower has the distinction of being the first modern "skyscraper" in Los Angeles, California and is a 452ft (138m) tall. It was completed in 1965 and has 32 floors. The International styled building was designed by William Pereira & Associates, who also designed the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco. Part of 12-acre complex which includes a 225,000-square-foot building at 1149 S. Broadway, a 300,000-square-foot building on Hill Street, three parking decks with 3,500 spots, and a 6-acre (24,000 m2) plot on the corner of Eleventh and Olive Streets. The three building are connected by underground pedestrian tunnels. Canyon-Johnson Realty Advisors bought the entire complex in April 2003 for $88 million. After they bought it, they converted the least occupied building into below market-rate apartments. In September 2006 Transamerica signed $75 million lease to retain its offices in the building. In 2007 to 2008 it went under a $35 million renovation. Windows restaurant used to be on the top floor of the building but was shut down at the end of July 2007. For downtown residents, the new luminous glass crown will be a welcomed addition to the evolving skyline

Cottage Replica Banks

Cottages. To some, that word conjures visions of ginger bread, Hansel & Gretel or Hobbit dwellings from Lord of the Rings. Building Collector reader Bob E. has a sub collection of miniature metal cottage houses as part of his larger collection of miniature skyscrapers and stadiums. He wrote some information about the charming little homes to share with all of you.

“Most people think of their cottages about this time of year and I have been too. Sorry to say, my cottages are the souvenir kind. I have been picking up those little American Art Works and Rehberger cottages whenever I can find them -- within a reasonable price. These appear to be the first souvenir buildings that were mass-produced and then customized for the buyer with the addition of a nameplate at the time of purchase. With the advent of these, businesses with less means could hand out a quality give-a-way to keep their name in front of the public. The United States has been an ad man’s dream since its inception, and for me this represents a milestone in that part of our "culture." Mass-producing individuality had arrived. The range and variety of the businesses that used these is what keeps me interested. I have 23 of them at present. Unlike the financial institutions that dominated the larger true to life models of other buildings, these were handed out by lumber yards, appliance stores, contractors, insurance companies, and of course banks. Most are coin banks but I have some that are paperweights as well. There are 11 States and 2 countries represented on that shelf. I have one from South America that appears to be a Rehberger copy. It is very well cast and the detail is what you would expect, however, the walls are very thick and the metal seems to have a much higher lead content. It appears there never was a trap on the bottom. On the roof is the legend, "Ahorre para construir su hogar." Or as we say "save for to build your home." So far, I have found three styles of the houses and many finish variations. I know there are also plastic and tin versions out there, but I will stick the cast metal for now. Other than the little bit of fact and lot of conjecture above, I really do not know much about these charming little banks. If anyone has any fun facts to know and tell, I would be very glad to learn more about them.’ – Bob E.

Breaking Building News!

It’s not often we have breaking news for building collectors. Arrests, police, and seized miniature Eiffel towers. According to reports…

"French police have seized 20 tons of miniature Eiffel Towers as part of a crackdown on the souvenirs which are offered illegally to tourists at visitor hotspots around Paris, security sources told AFP. The small metal trinkets are sold for as little as five for one euro at places such as the Louvre museum or outside the real Eiffel Tower, usually by African migrants who play a game of cat-and-mouse with police. A joint investigation involving French immigration authorities led to raids on three Chinese wholesalers who are suspected of importing the towers and supplying a network of vendors in Paris. More than 1,000 boxes, containing in total 20 tons of miniature Eiffel Towers, were seized from two depots and three shops in the Paris region on Monday and Tuesday, a security source told AFP, confirming a report in Le Parisien newspaper. Nine people have been arrested."

Thanks to David W. who alerted me to this news. Twenty tons of souvenirs buildings may be headed to the trash compactor. You might think that’s a lot, but after doing some digging I discovered in the year 2013, over 60 tons were confiscated and back in 2011 it was 270 tons! Have you ever purchased a souvenir from a street seller? 

Macy’s Department Store

Rowland Hussey Macy opened the doors of his "fancy dry goods store" in lower Manhattan in 1858. He was part of the movement which established Thanksgiving as the 4th Thursday in November and now defines the start of the holiday shopping season. In what’s become just as much of a tradition as turkey dinner with the family is watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving’s Day Parade. This year is extra special as Macy’s Department Store is celebrating is 150 anniversary. Scott sent me the following info about Macy’s Store history and souvenirs.

“Since 1924, Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square New York City, has been billed as the “World’s Largest Store.” The company produces the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which also started in 1924. Back in the 1920s, many of Macy's Department Store employees were first-generation immigrants who were very patriotic and proud of being new Americans. They wanted to celebrate the U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving with the type of festivals they had loved in Europe.In 1924, the Thanksgiving Day Parade began with Macy’s employees who dressed in vibrant costumes and marched together. There were also floats, professional bands and live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo. At the end of that first parade, as has been the case with every parade since, Santa Claus was welcomed into Herald Square. With an audience of over a quarter of a million people, the parade was such a success that Macy's declared it would become an annual event. Through the 1930s, the Parade continued to grow, with crowds of over one million lining the parade route in 1933. The annual festivities were broadcast on local New York radio through 1941.The parade was suspended for the duration of World War II, but resumed in 1945 using the route that it currently follows. The traditional parade became a permanent part of American culture after being prominently featured in the 1947 film, Miracle on 34th Street. The event was first telecast nationally in 1952. Today, every Thanksgiving morning when you’re cooking the turkey, you can watch the parade.There are only three known version of the Macy’s Department Store building. Most versions of the building are hard to come by. One example is a 4” tall lithograph tin. It’s thought to have had candy or popcorn inside, when it was sold at the store in 1987. Another version is the resin version of the building. It’s a bit smaller than the tin box, but accurately depicts the Macy’s flagship store down to the large shopping bag. It is more crudely made and most likely comes from a manufacturer in China.The latest version is a current one that depicts the department store inside of a snow globe. Made for the Christmas season, it features the familiar Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons surrounding New York City buildings (including the twin towers of the Word Trade Center) as the snow swirls around them. The end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade signals the official start of the Christmas shopping rush. Maybe you should consider a version of this historic department store to get or give this upcoming holiday season.” – Scott

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. 

Keith’s Souvenir Building Collection & Display

Some collectors are armchair travelers who scour eBay in search new building replicas. Other collectors travel the world, literally, and acquire miniature buildings along the way. Keith is a collector from Washington, D.C. who embodies the latter category.

How did you get started collecting souvenir buildings?

“I honestly am not sure. I think the truth is that a friend of mine, Glenn, started to purchase building/monument miniatures in the late 1980s and I thought they were cool. Since I like to travel, I started to notice that in many places it was possible to find souvenir buildings. Certainly the time I became hooked was in fall of 1990 when I was traveling with a friend to the USSR. It was a few months after the fall of the Berlin Wall and we were in Moscow and went in the GUM Department Store. It was a very chaotic shopping experience (on one table would be extra large girdles, the next would be pink socks, the next toasters)…when suddenly we came upon a table of Russian metallic buildings. The buildings ranged from the Kremlin to famous churches, they were exquisitely done and perched on a green marble base. They had about twenty left and I bought all of them. This was the start of a three-week vacation and soon realized that while each individual building didn’t weigh a lot, twenty did! But, I was hooked and since then, no trip of mine is quite successful unless I find a local building.”

Why do you collect souvenir buildings?

“I think it is a terrific, three-dimensional way to remember what you have seen/experienced. While I also take photos, I like that the souvenir buildings even more. One big advantage is that they are sitting out and remind me of what I have seen-- whereas pictures or postcards are typically hidden away in photo books or on computer/camera hard drives. When I am walking around our house, I come upon a building and I suddenly remember the trip where I got it or the market where I found the hidden gem. I also think that architecture really reflects a particular time, people and culture. And, while you can see a zillion castles or cathedrals, they have considerable differences. By displaying the buildings in our home which would never been seen together I feel like I bring together the world.”

How many total souvenir buildings do you have in your collection?

“I am not sure and since I am writing this on a flight – I travel a lot—I really can’t verify. I have a lot, but probably not as many as some of the folks in your club. I would guess over 200. My one requirement is that since I collect as part of my travels, I have to have seen the building in question. (I suppose now I am going to look over my collection and realize I have just lied and bought one or two I have not seen but with the strong intention to see the actual site). So, I don’t randomly buy miniature collections. The collection is a very personal reflection of my travels around the world. The collection is for me and my memory, and hopefully others find it interesting when I explain where things are from.”

How long have you been collecting?

“Certainly over 20 years. I don’t think I was serious about collecting them until 1990.”

Which is your favorite and why?

“I am not sure I have a “favorite”, but I do like the quirky. For example, we found a model of the Radio Moscow building in an antique shop in Australia. The building is actually a 1950’s Bakalite sculpture which is a real radio (though we have never found Russian batteries to see if it works).”

How and where do you buy most of your items?

“I really like to find handmade or artisan crafted or antique buildings/monuments from the places I am visiting. Therefore, antique markets/shops or craft fairs are the best. Sometimes I have no choice but to buy current buildings in tourist shops…but I try to find the most interesting and detailed buildings. I try to buy things that are made in the actual country (vs. China). “

How do you display your collection?

“Some might say it is a mish-mash of buildings, mostly crammed into two lighted display cases – with overflow on our radiator covers. I prefer to think of it as the world’s city of most interesting building. Seriously, I think we need some additional display shelves!”

Any interesting stories about your collecting experience?

“I remember being in Cambodia and visiting Angor Wat. I really wanted a replica of the temple. At the time (late 1990s) I didn’t see any. Our last night I went to a market and was asking (actually making gestures) for a small building and not sure anyone really understood. As I was leaving the market, someone tapped me on shoulder and pulled out a cast metal copy of the temple. It was more heavy than I would have liked in an ideal world, but I have never seen another like it. It was worth carrying it back. On that same trip, we were in the Vietnamese imperial city of Hue and I found a local artist who had carved the royal temples out of thin black and white material (not really sure what it is…the white looks like alabaster). The craftsmanship was incredible and somehow it got back to the US without being crushed.”

Anything additional you’d like to share about your collection?

“Since the collection is all about my travels, I want to find unique buildings/monuments. Therefore, this crazy hobby has brought me to a many markets and antique stores and artists around the world. I love the quest to find the perfect building/monument and have no intention of stopping until I have no more room…which will be soon if we don’t get more shelves!” - Keith

Vice President's House Miniature Replica

So, I'm walking down the street in Washington, D.C. and noticed a new souvenir store. Some people might think - All souvenir shops have the same stuff. Not true, I've found. Inside, most of the items were the typical souvenir stock: T-shirts, mugs, snow globes. However, almost lost in a display case was a small ceramic building which I could not identify. I asked to see it and it turned out to be a miniature of Number One Observatory Circle. While not as famous as another address in D.C., this is the official residence of the Vice President. The best part about this souvenir building was reviled when I turned it over. On the bottom is hand written, "June 21st 1983. To Sue Block - With great friendship and love - Barbara Bush." Yeah, that Barbara Bush - former First Lady of the United States. Also on the bottom, perhaps written by the person who hand painted the colorful house, is "The Vice President's House Washington, D.C. 140 Anna." The roof comes off of the porcelain trinket box which stands about two to three inches tall. The bottom of the roof is marked with Hurley Porcelain's mark and 1981. Looks like Herley made a series of historic homes in miniature, but I was unable to find much information about the company. The only thing I didn't like about this mini replica was the price. When I first glanced at the tag, I thought it read read $39, which was not bad. Then, I looked again and realized it actually read $395. Wow. Thats a lot for a ceramic building, but I'm sure most of the value is in the signature. Located on the grounds of the United States Naval Observatory, the white 19th Century house at Number One Observatory Circle in northwestern Washington, D.C., was built in 1893. Originally intended for the superintendent of the USNO, the house was so impressive that the chief of naval operations kicked out the superintendent so he could move in himself in 1923. Historically, Vice Presidents and their families lived in their own homes, but the cost of securing these private residences grew substantially over the years. Finally, in 1974, Congress agreed to refurbish the house at the Naval Observatory as a home for the Vice President. Three years passed before any Vice President actually lived at Number One Observatory Circle. Vice President Gerald Ford acceded to the Presidency before he could use the home and his Vice President, Nelson Rockefeller, only used it for entertaining. Walter Mondale was the first Vice President to move into the home. It has since been home to the families of Vice Presidents Bush, Quayle, Gore, and Cheney. Vice President and Dr. Biden currently reside there. The house is built in the Queen Anne style popular in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Hallmarks of the Queen Anne style are an asymmetrical floor plan, a series of rooms opening to each other rather than a common central hall, round turret rooms, inglenooks near fireplaces, and broad verandas wrapping the ground floor, all of which are found at Number One Observatory Circle.

Metal Marvel 3D Laser Cut Buildings

I noticed these online, but was a bit skeptical. Yes they are made of metal, but it’s sheet metal and you have to assemble them yourself. The series of Metal Marvel replicas are laser cut out of one flat sheet.

As I have yet to see a nice metal version of the new One World Trade center building under construction in N.Y., I ordered a replica of that one to see what the quality is like. It arrived in an envelope with instructions for assembly. Now, I won’t say a degree in engineering is required to put it together, but it was a bit of a challenge due to the small parts. The instructions say needle-nose pliers are suggested, but I’d say they are required. Basically, you remove the individual parts from the main sheet by moving them back and forth to snap the attachments. Then you carefully fold some pieces and place the tabs into corresponding holes. This process takes patience, and remember to twist the tabs a bit like you would a screw driver to lock them in place rather than try to bend them over. Another word of advice is not to bend any part too many times as it will eventually brake. Overall, I’m happy with the three-dimensional result. It’s a nice looking replica with good detail that fits in well with other souvenir buildings. Metal Marvel makes replicas of a number of buildings and bridges including:

• Metal Marvel 3d Laser Cut New York One World Trade Center Building Model Hobby
• Metal Works Neuschwanstein Castle 3D Laser Cut Model Marvel
• Metal Marvels San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge 3D Laser Cut Models
• Metal Works London Tower Bridge 3D Laser Cut Model Marvel
• Metal Works Arc de Triomphe 3D Laser Cut Model Marvel
• Metal Works Burj Khalifa
• Metal Marvel 3D Laser building

Psychology of Collecting

Packrat. Hoarder. You caught “the ‘bug.” People who accumulate things are sometime called different names – some good, other derogatory. I prefer to be called a collector. Why do collectors collect? I wrote my thoughts about collecting last year on this blog. Others have their own opinion or theories about the psychology of collecting. Professor of Psychology Mark B. McKinley explored the Psychology of collecting and agrees that everybody collects something. “Whether it be photographs of a person’s vacation, ticket stubs from ballgames, souvenirs of trips, pictures of one’s children, athletes’ trophies, kids’ report cards or those who collect “junk” (pack-rats) and dispose of it in garage sales, ” he wrote. McKinley discusses four themes:

1) The evolution of collecting – from childhood hobbies to serious collectors.

2) The motivations to collect – from investments, enjoyment, social aspect, preservation, Quest (the thrill of the hunt) and displaying / classifying.

3) Collecting vs. hoarding – from Sigmund Freud’s thoughts to compulsive buying.

4) Hoarding as pathology – from those crazy old ladies you hear about on the news with hundreds of cats to people who can throw NOTHING away. Check out this video news report about collecting and a woman who wants to be burred with her collections.

The author also writes about something which, I believe, is more akin to souvenir building collectors.
“During the 1700s and 1800s there were aristocratic collectors, the landed gentry, who roamed the world in search of fossils, shells, zoological specimens, works of art and books. The collected artifacts were then kept in special rooms (“cabinets of curiosities”) for safekeeping and private viewing. A “cabinet” was, in part, a symbolic display of the collector’s power and wealth. It was these collectors who established the first museums in Europe, and to a lesser extent in America” Author Judith Katz-Schwartz also wrote about collectors of four flavors: The Clinical / Pathological Collector, the Nut-case Collector, the Victim Collector and the Accidental Collector. The Chicago Sun-Times Newspaper also published a story about why people collect things. The author wrote: ‘Whether it be squirreling away pennies in a jar, cherishing photographs from special vacations or going all out with antiques, stamps and coins, sooner or later, experts say, nearly everyone collects something. According to a 1980 study, one in three adults collects something, said Fred Bryant, a professor of psychology at Loyola University Chicago. Bryant specializes in personality and social psychology." That's a lot of people, and the figures are probably higher now because we're seeing a surge in collecting thanks to the popularity of 'Antiques Road Show,' internet auction sites and eBay," he said. According to Bryant, there is no limit to what human beings might find worthy of collecting. "Hair or teeth of famous historical figures, bottle caps, beer cans, paper clips -- anything you can think of," he said. But what is it about collecting that motivates people? "For some people, collecting is a hobby that can bring a lot of joy," said Dr. Sheldon S. Greenberg, a Chicago-based psychiatrist who specializes in general psychiatry. "Collecting can be a way of achieving personal identity and a nurturing hobby to make one feel good, safe and loved. Collecting can provide a method of predictability and bring a sense of security to one's life," Greenberg said. "When people collect they have a sense of belonging to something, days look brighter and they feel more important." On the other hand, Greenberg says, for some who feel anxious, collecting can sometimes give people a false sense of security. "It's an illusion because the things they collect obviously only have limited psychological value. It's only symbolic," he said. Bryant says studies indicate the top motive for collecting is a "feeling of success, competence and mastery; that one is effective in world accomplishment and control. Today, the world may seem out of control and people feel helpless. But when they hold [collectibles] in the palm of their hands, they can feel the fruit of their labor." Both experts say collecting can foster healthy socialization. "People form clubs, gather to talk about their collections and point out this or that about something they've collected. It's a good way to start a conversation," Greenberg said. It's also can make good economic sense. "It's a way of investing," Greenberg said. "Many collectibles increase in value over time." I know a lot of souvenir building collectors know that by now. What are your reasons and motivations for collecting? Let us know via email or with the comments link below.

Buffalo Savings Bank / M&T Bank Replica Coin Bank Buildings

Originally built as the Buffalo Savings Bank, with its distinctive gold dome, this building is now owned by M&T Bank. The interior is a grand hall of business. Two souvenir replicas of the Buffalo Savings Bank have been made - a metal version by Banthrico, above on left, and a gold-colored plastic version. Completed in 1901 by architects Green & Wicks in a Beaux Arts Classicism design. In the late 1890s - the peak of Buffalo's golden age - the Buffalo Savings Bank held a competition for a grand new headquarters. Green & Wicks, Buffalo’s premier turn-of-the-century architectural firm, won the contest. Their design projected stability, security, and aspiration. The team employed the classical revival style, with a dome, for the bank. This style was popularized by the World Columbian Exposition of 1893. The building's signature feature is the gold-leafed dome. The tiles have been gilded three times. The last restoration required 140,000 paper-thin sheets of 23.75-carat gold leaf at a cost $500,000 (which was more than the initial cost of the building).  Also nearby is the Electric Building or Niagara Mohawk building which was inspired by the Electric Tower at the 1901 Pan American Exhibition. InFocusTech makes a replica of this tower to power. (I recently visited Buffalo, N.Y. and toured some of the rich architectural heritage of that city. This post is part of a series about miniature architecture of that city. The other posts can be found here. )

Al Farrow’s Architectural Art

The large 3-D metal church replica looked impressive and realistic, but upon closer inspection, you realize it is constructed of guns, bullets and buck shot. Minerettes made of pistols and riffle steeples. I was amazed by the attention details, craftsmanship and artistry of the few pieces I saw on display at a small exhibit of his work at a gallery in Washington, D.C. The self-taught California Artist Al Farrow created the “Reliquaries” series of religious structures composed of guns, gun parts, bullets, steel, glass and bone. The welded sculptures are commentaries on militarism loaded in the histories of the three major religion structures: Synagogues, mosques and churches. A reliquary, also called a shrine, is a container for relics. These may be the physical remains of saints, such as bones, pieces of clothing or some object associated with saints or other religious figures. Al Farrow wrote about his work, “As early as the fourth century, the cult of sacred relics was an important part of Christian worship. At that time, the church first promulgated the doctrine which stated that the remains of martyrs and objects associated with Christ, the Virgin and other Saints, possessed miraculous powers. In the later middle ages, churches, monasteries and even private individuals accumulated large collections of relics. Pilgrims traveled the length and breadth of the Christian world to visit shrines, churches and crypts where relics were housed. As a theological importance of relics increased, so did the desire to put them into protective "Containers". The "container" or architecture's physical beauty was thought to enhance the spiritual significance of the venerated objects. Thus, in many ways, reliquaries are among the richest and most imaginative of all church treasures. The earliest take on the form of simple boxes or caskets. Later examples may be complex architectural forms, statuettes or shapes resembling the actual relics enshrined. I am not a gun person," the artist said. "My fascination with guns is with their function and use. It is the ubiquitous presence, seeming necessity and actual accessibility of guns in our culture that inspires my investigation. I am interested in their impact on society and cultures: Past, Present (and Future). About his materials Farrow said, “I do not personally use guns (Except as a medium for making art), so I was amazed at the availability of gun related paraphernalia when I started to accumulate supplies for this body of work. I am also perpetually surprised by the historical and continuing partnership of war and religion. The atrocities committed in acts of war absolutely violate every tenet of religion, yet rarely do religious institutions speak against the violations committed in the name of God. Historically, Popes have even offered eternal salvation to those who fought on their behalf (The crusades, etc.).In my constructed reliquaries, I am playfully employing symbols of war, religion and death in a facade of architectural beauty and harmony. I have allowed my interests in art history, archeology and anthropology to influence the work. The sculptures are an ironic play on the medieval cult of the relic, tomb art, and the seductive nature of objects commissioned and historically employed by those seeking position of power.” See the making of an enormous cathedral replica here. (click through the phases to see the progress). Prices at the exhibit I saw ranged from $9,000 to $85,000. San Francisco’s De Young Museum plans to exhibit Farrow’s work in November, 2008. I recommend checking it out if you are in that area. Do you know of other artists engaged in work the architectural or miniature building themes?

Knoxville Sunsphere: Site Report

This summer, I traveled to Knoxville, Tennessee and, naturally, could not miss the opportunity to visit the Sunsphere. Built for the 1984 World’s Fair, the tower was smaller than I expected, but it still stands 266-feet high. The park in which the tower sits was nice and is still used by the residents for events and concerts. An elevator delivers visitors to an observation deck with slanted windows within the sphere itself. This floor was unattended and almost empty. Signage allow visitors a self-guided history lesson about the views throught the windows and information about the World’s Fair. There is no gift shop at the Sunsphere, so hang onto your miniature versions as none are currently available nor being produced. The theme for the 1982 World's Fair was "Energy Turns the World." It opened on May 1, 1982 and closed on October 31, 1982 after hosting over 11 million visitors.The centerpiece of the fair was the Sunsphere, a steel tower topped with a five-story gold globe. Designed by the Knoxville architectural firm Community Tectonics, the Sunsphere is noted for its unique design in several engineering publicationsIn its original design. The sphere portion was to have had a diameter of 86.5 feet (26.4 m) to represent symbolically the 865,000-mile (1,392,000 km) diameter sun. The tower's window glass panels are layered in 24-karat gold dust and cut to seven different shapes. It weighs 600 tons and features six double steel truss columns in supporting the seven-story sphere. During the fair, admission price was $2 to take the elevator to its observation deck. The tower served as a restaurant and featured food items such as the Sunburger and a rum and fruit juice cocktail called the Sunburst." The Sunsphere has been used as a symbol for Knoxville, appearing in postcards and logos. Between 1993 and 1999, the Sunsphere was featured in part on the logo for the Knoxville Smokies minor league baseball club. The 2002 AAU Junior Olympics mascot Spherit took its inspiration from the landmark. It featured red hair and a body shaped like the Sunsphere.Today, most of the World's Fair site is now a public park and a convention center, but the Sunsphere remains.Other notable events at the Sunsphere include: October 1987 when the sphere was illuminated to represent a huge jack-o-lantern. On Sunday, May 15, 2000, nuclear weapons protesters scaled the tower and hung a large banner that said "Stop the Bombs." They remained on the tower for three days before surrendering to police. The Sunshere sat empty for years until renovations began in 2003. As a result of European starling birds depositing on the tower's frame too much of, ummm…what birds deposit, the Knoxville Public Buildings Authority purchased a device that emits various noises to scare the birds away from the tower. Currently, the sphere contains offices, a bar and the observation floor. While in the elevator, we chatted with someone who worked in an office on top and he said during high winds the tower sways - making computer-users nausous. A few different souvenir building versions of the Sunsphere were made. The most common is a copper-colored pot metal replica which was made in two sizes: 6 and 9 inches tall. A plastic version was also made with a garish blue and gold-painted surface. A smaller pot metal pencil sharpener was also produced. The last that I know of is a rare souvenir cast for the fair by the A.C. Rehberger. This one has a golden finish and great detailing of the ladder work and ball on top is etched, not just smooth. It stands 5.25" tall. There is also a small metal pencil sharpener verson of the sunsphere which I believe is a more recently-made replica. Do know of other miniature replica versions of this tower?
Site reports - Have you been to a location, building or monument which was memorialized in miniature? Write up your impressions of the place and send it to me along with any photos you may have taken while there. It would be great to hear from readers and where they've been.