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?

The Bank of England Souvenirs

One of the granddaddies of souvenir buildings is a sterling silver replica of the Bank of England. The one above is part of the Ace Architects’ collection. David Weingarten sent me photos and wrote, “Like the actual building, this model has an irregular plan, roughly 10 inches square and 4 inches high. The detail shows the piece's hallmarks. From left to right, these show the piece was made by Frederick Edmonds, .925 sterling silver, in London, 1897. Interestingly, we've found several mentions in the press, all from 1897, in papers on both sides of the Atlantic, including the Liverpool Mercury, The Critic, Altamont Enterprise, and Kansas City Journal. All describe this as a gift to Dumont Clarke, President of the American Enterprise bank, in New York. Taken together, the several accounts claim the model required 12 months to fabricate, was valued at $1,000, and was made either by a London silversmith (as the hallmarks indicate), or by Tiffany. The following links to an article in The Critic, (in the upper left hand of the page) which is characteristic.”

Another rare replica of this same bank is perhaps more recent (1920s?). This model of the bank is a coin bank. This replica represents just th building before the structure’s expansion to take up an entire city block. On the base are the words, “Home Bank of England.” This one appears to be a brass casting with the words underneath, "Funk's Art Foundry Ltd. Mannheim. Registered." David W. wrote about this version, “Mannheim, of course, is a German City. In this period, other English souvenir buildings, made in Germany, were imported to the UK; though I cannot think of examples marked in this way.” The dimensions of this Bank of England are 3 1/2" x 7 1/2" x 3" high. One sold recently on eBay for $1450. Interestingly, David W. has a slightly different version of this coin bank that includes a small ring on its base, which is not on the recently sold eBay version. Anyone have an idea what it could be? See photo below.

Yet a third miniature replica of this bank is a small ceramic coin bank version. This souvenir building made by Szeiler Studio in England in the late 1960's. This replica is hand-painted glazed ceramic in a dark brown color. It stands 3.75" tall, by 4.5" wide and 3.5" deep. The money slot is on the top which reads "BANK OF ENGLAND", and the round trap on the underside. One of these sold for $40 on eBay recently.

The Bank's headquarters has been located in London's main financial district, the City of London, on Threadneedle Street, since 1734. It is sometimes known by the metonym The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street or simply The Old Lady. The Bank of England moved to its current location on Threadneedle Street, and thereafter slowly acquired neighboring land to create the edifice seen today (an entire block). Sir Herbert Baker's rebuilding of the Bank of England, demolishing most of Sir John Soane's earlier building was described by architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner as "the greatest architectural crime, in the City of London, of the twentieth century." The structure of 'Soane's Bank of England' remained more or less untouched until it was demolished and a new building erected by the architect Herbert Baker between the two World Wars.

Rare Washington Monument Replicas

The Washington Monument is high on the list of most common souvenir buildings. There are, however, rare versions of this famous obelisk. Harry M. has a large collection of different versions of Washington Monuments. One is most likely the only of its kind in existence. The hand-made wooden replica appears to have been made as a liquor bottle holder. A bottle could fit inside and the neck would poke through the top hole. Burned into the inside of the door in script is “Happy New Year 1908 just a little light one at 44Q.” If anyone has an idea what 44Q might refer to, let us know in the comments link below. Attendees to the 2011 SBCS convention will see this and other unusual miniature replicas of the Washington Monument during the visit to Harry’s Collection on the Sunday house tours. Other uncommon replicas include those made from white “milk” glass and wood.

Forbes National Bank Souvenir Building Coin Bank

Steve V. sent me photos of two very similar, yet different souvenir buildings made by Rehberger. They are almost identical, lead, 1920s, but different wording on the bases.

Darker bank reads:

Top: Forbes National Bank FIFTH AND OAKLAND PITTSBURGH

Front: your home bank

Right side: Friendly Helpful Service

Back: 4% on savings

Left side: Safe Strong Progressive

Lighter finish has the words:

Top: FORBES NATIONAL BANK PITTSBURGH Fifth and Oakland seventh and Grant

Right Side: Member of FDIC

Back: Safe Strong

Right: Interest Paid on Savings

Its unusual that two different molds were created just to change the wording. Click on the photo below to enlarge it and see the details. Do you have very similar souvenir building replicas with small variations?

Saint Patrick's Cathedral Souvenir Buildings

On this day, some people think of shamrocks, a snake exodus, green beer and Lepricons. Building Collectors; however, will think of St. Patrick's Cathedral. The Gothic Revival style Catholic cathedral in New York City is a well-known structure and many miniature souvenir versions of it have been produced over the years. One is a nicely-proportioned metal replica was made and mounted on a wooden base. Another small, metal, copper-colored and oddly out-of-proportion souvenir building replica of the cathedral used to be very common in NYC gift shops, but like so many other miniatures, they are now hard to find. The only 3-D replicas at the cathedral's gift shop is made of resin. InFocus Tech also has a pewter version in its production which stands just under 4" tall and is 4-1/2" long. The real cathedral is located on the east side of Fifth Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets in midtown Manhattan and faces Rockefeller Center. Designed by Architect James Renwick, Jr., the cornerstone of America's tallest Cathedral was laid on August 15, 1858. At that time, the most populated areas of NYC were well south of this location. Just like the Washington Monument, work on the cathedral halted during the Civil War and resumed in 1865. The cathedral was completed in 1878 with its huge proportions dominating the midtown of that time. Towers on the west façade were added in 1888 and an addition on the east, including a Lady chapel, designed by Charles T. Mathews, began in 1901. The cathedral was renovated between 1927 and 1931 when the great organ was installed and the sanctuary enlarged. Constructed of brick, not marble because brick is stronger, the structure was then faced with marble. The site of the church takes up a whole city block. The spires rise 330 feet (100m) from street level to the heavenly top. The Saint Michael and Saint Louis altar was designed by Tiffany & Co. The Saint Patrick's Cathedral and associated buildings were declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976.

Washington Monument Souvenir Buildings

What is officially called Washington's Birthday, today's U.S. Federal Holiday, is sometimes called Presidents Day. Perhaps people wanted to also commemorate President Lincoln on this day. I've written previously about souvenirs and memorials related to Lincoln, so lets explore souvenirs related to George Washington. There are many monuments and memorials to Washington around the country. Everyone knows the famous obelisk in Washington D.C., but the very first monument to Washington was built in Baltimore. This Washington Monument was the first monument completed to recognise George Washington. In 1815, a statue and column was designed by Robert Mills - who also designed the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. Construction began in the Baltimore neighborhood of Mount Vernon in 1815 and was completed by 1829. The 178 foot white marble doric column holds a ground-floor museum offering information about Washington as well as construction of the monument. Climbing the 228 steps to the top provides an excellent view of the city from the historic neighborhood where it is located. The monument consists of three main elements: a low, rectangular base; an unfluted column and a standing figure of Washington. InFocusTech makes a replica of the Baltimore Washington Monument finished in new pewter which stands 6 1/2 inches tall. The memorial to the first U.S. President, George Washington, everyone knows is the towering Washington Monument in the city named after him, Washington, D.C. The Washington monument, made of marble, granite and sandstone, is both the world's tallest stone structure

and the world's tallest obelisk, standing 555 feet 5⅛ inches (169.294 m). (There are taller monumental columns, but they are neither all stone nor true obelisks.) It is also the tallest structure in Washington D.C. Construction began in 1848 but was not completed until 1884 - 36 years later. This hiatus in construction happened because of co-option by the Know Nothing party, a lack of funds and the American Civil War. A difference in shading of the marble, visible approximately 150 feet up, shows where construction was halted for a number of years. The aluminum capstone was set on December 6, 1884 and the completed monument was dedicated on February 21, 1885, but didn't officially opened October 9, 1888. It became the world's tallest structure and held this designation until 1889, when the Eiffel Tower was completed in Paris. Souvenirs of the Washington Monument can be very common, but a few are older and rare with unusual design aspects. I've seen monuments made from materials including cast iron, bakelite, plastic, metal and with uses such as S&P shakers, pencil sharpeners, thermometers and more. Today, replicas are being made in resin, plastic, lucite and pot metal. Also, don't forget Mount Vernon which also has had miniature building souvenirs of Washington's historic home.

A Silver Sears Tower?

The Chicago Sun-Times newspaper is reporting that the New York-based owners of Sears Tower in downtown Chicago are considering painting the entire building silver. The well-known black skyscraper has been part of the Chicago skyline since 1973 and is now the tallest building in the United States. Thoughts are that the expensive paint job could draw fresh attention to the tower, which has struggled to hold tenants as newer generations of office buildings are built. Silver could figure into a broader effort to "rebrand" the building and highlight its advances in energy efficiency. A spokesperson for the owners said, "We are actively looking for even more ways to save energy and improve the building," he said. "We are still examining our options and any details at this point would be speculative." Switching to a lighter tint to complement the silver could cost $50 million, "and right now there's not enough money in the universe for that," said a source familiar with the tower. Unlike the real structure, Sears Tower Souvenir buildings already come in different colors. A gold-finished Sears Tower pencil sharpener from the 1970’s was made in Japan. Banthrico produced a 7.5 inch copper colored bank building also in the early 70’s. Other versions include a 5-inch pewter replica, a 7.25 inch plastic tower and a sterling silver charm. In 1969, Sears, Roebuck & Co. was the largest retailer in the world, with about 350,000 employees. Sears executives decided to consolidate employees into one new building to be constructed on the western edge of Chicago's Loop. Designed by chief architect Bruce Graham and structural engineer Fazlur Khan of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the real building opened in 1973.The fortunes of Sears & Roebuck declined in the 1970s as the company lost market share and its management grew ever more cautious.The Sears Tower itself was not the draw Sears hoped it would be, so the tower stood half-vacant for a decade as more office space was erected Chicago in the 1980s. The company was eventually forced to take out a mortgage on its signature building. Sears began moving its offices out of the Sears Tower in 1992 and had completely vacated the building by 1995. The Sears Tower has gone through several owners in the years since, but Sears has retained the naming rights for the building. It is now a multi-tenant office building with more than 100 different companies in residence, including major law firms, insurance companies and financial services firms.The building was the scene of some excitement when, in August 1999, French urban climber Alain "Spiderman" Robert, using only his bare hands and feet, scaled the building's exterior glass and steel wall to the top. A thick fog settled in near the end of his climb, making the last 20 floors of the building's glass and steel slippery. A Skydeck observation platform at the top of the Sears Tower allows visitors to get a similar, but safer spiders-eye view of the windy city. On a clear day, you can see four states - Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. What do you think about the idea of painting this iconic structure? Leave your thoughts via the ‘comments’ link below.

Rachel's Tomb near Bethlehem

Rachel's Tomb is a sacred site located between Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the West Bank of Israel. It is of significant historical and religious site for Jews, Muslims and Christians. The site, believed to be the burial place of the biblical matriarch Rachel. She was the wife of Jacob and mother of two of his twelve sons. She died giving birth to Benjamin and "Jacob set a pillar upon her grave." The structure on the site, a cube topped by a dome, was built around 1620 by the Ottoman Turks. It was lengthened in 1860 by Sir Moses Montefiore. Due to the deteriorating security situation, the original domed structure was fortified and enclosed inside a building with a hall from the entrance in the 1990's. Recently, the site has been surrounded by a barrier to separate it from Bethlehem. Rachel's Tomb is difficult to visit because of its location near the Israel - West Bank border, but many still manage to visit this important sacred site. Only bullet-proof buses are allowed direct access to Rachel's Tomb. Souvenir buildings made of Rachel’s Tomb include a 3.5” tall brass replica from the 1960’s. An antique box in the form of Rachel's tomb from 1915 was estimated at auction to sell for up to $40,000. (photo below) A tzedakah box styled after Rachel's Tomb is sterling silver with a wood base is hand worked by a family of Israeli silversmiths. Another version is a hand-painted, resin replica which includes an in-depth description on the bottom, outlining the name and historical significance. Unfortunately, I don’t know of a souvenir replica of The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, believed to be to site of Christ’s birth. Do you know other souvenir buildings from Israel? Let us know via the Comments link below.

Santa’s Workshop at North Pole N.Y.

I don’t know of any souvenirs from the real North Pole, but Santa's Workshop in Adirondack Mountains of Upstate N.Y. sold salt and pepper shakers of Santa’s House in the 1960’s. Originally, the metal S&P’s came with a metal tray. A colorful ceramic set was also sold. Founded in 1949 and designed by Arto Monaco, Santa’s Workshop in North Pole, N.Y. was a forerunner of present day theme parks in the United States. The Christmas-themed family amusement park in has rides, shows, storybook characters, a petting zoo and shops. On 16 December 1953, The U.S. Postal Service, recognized the great interest in North Pole, NY awarded it "Rural Postal Station" status. The same year Santa and his reindeer team traveled to the nation’s capital to participate in the Pageant for Peace and New York City's Thanksgiving Day Parade. One of the main points of interest here at Santa's Workshop, Santa's House is a picture of beauty any season of the year. Inside the Alpine-Style house is Santa's Living Room where Santa personally greets every guest who comes in. Do you know of other Christmas-related souvenir buildings?

Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia

During a recent visit to Philadelphia, I stopped by this historic home of which a variety of souvenir versions have been produced over the years. Currently, a metal pencil sharpener replica of the Betsy Ross House is available. Interestingly, the various replicas all look the same in the front, but the older versions include different structures attached behind the main house. Most versions I’ve seen are about the same size, but are made of different materials (brass, lead and pot metal). An older brass version is also a coin bank. Built more in 1740, the building now known as The Betsy Ross House was home to not just Betsy, but to dozens of artisans and shopkeepers over the years before it was opened to the public as a museum in 1937. The "bandbox" style structure is designed with one room on each floor and a winding staircase stretching from the cellar to the upper levels. The building's front façade, with a large window on the first floor to display merchandise, and its proximity to the Delaware River, made it an ideal location for a business. In fact, the house served as both a business and a residence for many different shopkeepers and artisans for more than 150 years. The first floor front room was used as the workshop and showroom. The business owner and his or her family lived in the rest of the house. In the 18th century the house was occupied by a shoemaker, a shopkeeper, an apothecary and, of course, most famously, an upholsterer. It is believed that Betsy Ross lived here from 1773 to 1785. By the late 19th century most of the other colonial-era buildings that once stood on this block of Arch Street had been torn down and replaced with large industrial buildings and warehouses. Many people feared that Betsy's home would meet the same fate. In 1898, a group of concerned citizens established the American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial Association to raise money to purchase the house, restore it and open it as a public museum in honor of Betsy Ross and our first flag. To raise the money to purchase the house, members of the group sold lifetime memberships to the organization for 10 cents.

Pittsburgh’s Dollar Savings Bank

This bank is one of just a few souvenir building replicas with the distinction of being reproduced by two different companies. Both A.C. Rehberger and Banthrico produced coin bank replicas of the Dollar Savings Bank. They look very similar, but until you pick them both up and compare them side by side do you notice the differences. The A.C. Rehberger version has much finer detail and it has the slot (for coins) and the hole (for bills) on top. Also a bit heavier, the Reheberger has raised letters, whereas the Banthrico version’s letters are recessed. Rehberger version’s top reads, “This is your bank,” while the Banthrico has no words on its top. Along both bases is written: “The Dollar Savings Bank. Pittsburgh, PA. Organized in 1855. 330-344 Fourth Avenue.” On one side is: “The only mutual savings bank in Pittsburgh.and the other side reads: “A safe place for your savings.” Of course, the easiest way to tell the difference is the makers make and trap on the bottom. Architect Isaac H. Hobbes designed the real Dollar Savings Bank building which opened in March, 1871. This Connecticut brownstone hall housed the first mutual bank in Pittsburgh. Its most striking features are the Baroque facade composition of colossal Composite columns and Max Kohler's docile, life-sized lions at the front steps. The Dollar Bank building on Fourth Avenue is one of the very few original buildings in Pittsburgh's old financial district that's still used as a bank and it is now on the National Register of Historic Places. The Bank’s Trustees meant the new structure to last and to stand for something. They placed the stone lions at its gates as symbols of guardianship of the people's money. They thought of the lofty columns as bespeaking the institution's high aims. They began talking about the design it in 1860; and, before they were through, few business structures had received so much thought. Ah, those were the days when banks demonstrated their longevity and strength through sold columns and stable, long-lasting architecture. These days, financial institutions seem more interested in making a quick buck through risky schemes.

Pilgrim Monument at Provincetown, Mass

Scott’s Thanksgiving-themed trifecta of continues to another monument which honors Pilgrims. Click on photo above to get a closer view of the details and differences of these souvenirs.

“Another monument associated with the Pilgrims is the Pilgrim Monument located in Provincetown, Mass. It is where the Pilgrims first set foot on the soil of America (even though Plymouth Rock gets all the glory) and spent five weeks exploring the tip of Cape Cod before sailing on to where Plymouth Colony would be founded. The Cape Cod Pilgrim Memorial Association was founded in 1892 with a purpose is to commemorate the Mayflower Pilgrims’ first landing in the New World in November 1620. Also, the association commemorates the Mayflower Compact, which established the rule of law for the new land. With $92,000 raised for construction, the association decided to base the monument’s design on the bell tower or campanile of the Torre del Mangia in Siena, Italy. Architect Willard T. Sears designed what is still the tallest, all-granite structure in the United States at 252 feet. The Monument’s cornerstone was laid on August 20, 1907 by President Theodore Roosevelt in a grand Masonic ceremony. Roosevelt traveled to Cape Cod for the ceremony by way of his home in Oyster Bay, Long Island on the presidential yacht, coincidentally named the Mayflower. By August of 1909, the monument was almost completed, except for the interior steps and ramps. This stair/ramp system was patterned after those in the campanile at San Marco in Venice, Italy. The San Marco had collapsed in 1902 and was being rebuilt at the same time the Pilgrim Monument was taking shape. The dedication in 1910 was held on August 5, the same date the Pilgrims set sail for America. On the day before the ceremony, the Atlantic Fleet of the U. S. Navy sailed into the harbor. Early that morning, President Taft was taken by carriage to the monument, and at 11 o’clock the dedication ceremony took place. Souvenir versions of the monument were made soon after the dedication. Many of the early versions are lead with bases showing part of the hill the monument is built upon. Some of these early versions were painted to reflect the way the real monument looks. There have been many different versions and sizes over the years. Currently, a Bates and Klinke pewter version for sale that is highly detailed and well worth the money. Spoontiques, a manufacturer and distributor of gifts and collectibles, currently has a 2 1/2" tall version as well. Planning for the 100th anniversary celebration of the tower has begun, with many events proposed in the coming year. It is no doubt that not only does the Pilgrim Monument serve as a reference point for sailors, but for landlubbers and souvenir building hunters as well.” –Scott.

Plymouth Rock

Scott’s second installment examines the famous rock itself and souvenirs over the years.

“In 1741, when a wharf was to be built, a 94-year-old Church Elder named Thomas Faunce identified the precise rock his father had told him was the first solid ground the Pilgrims set foot on. (However, the Pilgrims had actually first landed near the site of modern Provincetown on the tip of Cape Cod in November 1620 before moving to Plymouth). Later in 1774, the townspeople of Plymouth decided to move the rock. The rock split into two halves, and it was decided to leave the bottom portion behind at the wharf and relocate the top half to the town's meeting house. In 1859, the Pilgrim Society began building a Victorian canopy designed by Hammatt Billings around a part of Plymouth Rock. Later, iron gates were added to stop souvenir hunters. Following the canopy’s completion in 1867, the top of the rock was moved from Pilgrim Hall back to its original spot at the wharf. At that time, the date ‘1620’ was carved into the rock. Miniature souvenir versions of the original 1867 canopy are very rare as it was torn down prior to the 1920’s. Made as either a paperweight or clock, it is an outstanding piece made in 1893 for the Pilgrim Society by Edesmad F.C. Co. located in Plymouth Mass. A roman columned portico canopy was designed by McKim, Mead and White and currently protects Plymouth Rock. As for then famous rock itself, there are many souvenir versions of it from ceramic to pot metal and even glass. Plymouth gift shops continue the souvenir trend with resin copies. It is interesting to note that during the rock's many journeys throughout the town of Plymouth, numerous pieces of the Rock were taken, bought and sold. So, it’s possible to have a souvenir of the real rock. Currently, Plymouth Rock is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as part of Pilgrim Memorial State Park. From May to Thanksgiving Day, Pilgrim Memorial is staffed by Park Interpreters who inform visitors of the history of Plymouth Rock and answer questions. So, during your next visit to Plymouth, be sure not only to check out the gift shops, but the real Plymouth Rock as well.” – Scott.

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.

JFK Assassination Site in Dallas

President John F. Kennedy was killed on this day, Nov.22, in 1963. A rare and morbid metal souvenir building of the assassination area was created the year after the tragic event. About six versions seem to have been created and are slightly different. All are a desk sets, but one has a pen holder and the other a well for pins or paper clips. The inscription reads "Assassination Site of President John F. Kennedy Nov 22, 1963.” The Texas School Book Depository building is in the upper right corner with a Hertz Rent-A-Car Chevrolets sign on the top with a clock displaying the time of 12:29. Elm Street has an X to mark the spot where Kennedy was hit. The grassy knoll area, type reads "Dallas Texas." Elm Street goes under a railroad bridge on the left. The Book Depository is at Houston St. on the right. A 1963 John F. Kennedy coin is mounted in the metal. The bronze-finish metal replica measures 5.75" by 7.5" and 7" tall. A maker mark on the bottom says Edward R. Reed 1964 Historical Enterprises, Inc. 707 W. Davis, Dallas TX. Estimated numbers produced rage from 100 to 1000. The Late Dixie Trainer, an avid building collector, wrote an article about this building replica and called it, “The Strangest Souvenir Building Ever Made.” It seems 1964, as now, theses replicas are a controversial souvenirs.

Saint Joseph's Oratory

Plans change. Even a well thought out idea may change before or during its implementation. The design for the Saint Joseph's Oratory in Montreal, Canada changed between 1922 and when it was completed in 1967. Of interest to souvenir building collectors are the many replica versions created over the years for what was envisioned to what was ultimately constructed. A seven-inch-tall version from 1926 reveals the changes. The top center dome is drum-shaped and the four surrounding towers are thinner than what was built. The stairs are the same, but platform at the bottom of the stairs was also redesigned. Around the base is written: “La Future Basilique. Oratoire St. Joseph Du Mont Royal Montreal Canada. Fabrication Francaise Copyright by 1926 – Depose- M.P.” I wrote to Jean-Francois, the archivist for Saint Joseph's Oratory, who said, “The original design for the dome was more narrow. In fact, the 1922 plans by architects Viau & Venne depicted a more luxious and classical dome, with colonnade and statues. The year 1926 corresponds to the beginning of construction for the future basilica. So, the miniature scale basilica dated 1926 may be linked to that construction. We don’t know for sure if they were given as souvenir to dignitaries or put in sale in our gift shop. We know that several of these were made (but they are quite rare today).In 1934, one of the two architects died (Venne). It was a time of economical difficulties and the original design for a somptuous dome was not welcomed anymore. In 1936, the Shrine’s authorities then asked Dom Paul Bellot, a reputed architect monk, to redesign the dome’s shape to have it lower, less expensive to build and more in the spirit of the time." Construction of the real Roman Catholic Italian Renaissance style Basilica began in 1924 based on plans by Montreal architects Dalbé Viau and Alphonse Venne. The dome was poured and covered with copper. With a diameter of 39 meters (125 feet), The basilica dome rises 236 meters (856 feet) above sea level making it the highest point in the city of Montreal. Aviation authorities require that the cross on top be illuminated. The interior was completed in 1966, based on on designs by the Canadian architect Gérard Notebaert. With a seating capacity of 2200 people, the Basilica gets two million visitors and pilgrims every year. Other building replicas came in various sizes and materials, but all resemble the church as it appears today with a more football-shaped dome which recalls the Duomo in Florence. Versions include those made in occupied japan, pot metal and pewter, encased in Lucite and even some painted. Do you know of additional versions of this church? Do you know of other souvenir replicas which have versions of ‘as planned’ and ‘as built’?

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.

Ms. Liberty’s Star

Normally a common souvenir to find, Statue of Liberty replicas can sometimes have variations which make them a bit more unusual and interesting. I bought this one because the souvenir building replica includes the star-shaped structure which surrounds Ms. Liberty. The real statue stands upon a granite pedestal inside the courtyard of the star-shaped walls of Fort Wood (which was originally built for the War of 1812.) The United States Lighthouse Board had responsibility for the operation of the Statue of Liberty until 1901. After that, care and operation of the Statue was placed under the War Department. A Presidential Proclamation declared Fort Wood (and the Statue of Liberty within it) a National Monument on October 15th, 1924 and the monument's boundary was set at the outer edge of Fort Wood. In 1933, the administration of the National Monument was transferred to the National Park Service. On September 7, 1937, jurisdiction was enlarged to encompass all of Bedloe's Island and in 1956, the island's name was changed to Liberty Island. Do you have an uncommon replica of a typically common souvenir?

San Jacinto Texas Monument

The old saying, “Everything’s bigger in Texas,” holds true for the San Jacinto Monument. At 570 feet, the octagonal column is the world’s tallest war memorial and is even 15-feet taller than the Washington monument. It was built to honor those who fought for Texas's independence during the Battle of San Jacinto. Designed by architect Alfred C. Finn, it opened in 1939 along the Houston Ship Channel. A museum is located in the base and the monument’s crowning jewel to top is a 220-ton Lone Star - the symbol of Texas. From the observation deck on top, you can see the skyline of Houston. Over the years, many miniature souvenir replicas of the San Jacinto Monument have been created in a variety of sizes and versions.

Versions: Bennington Battle Monument

Over the years, a popular building or monument will have multiple versions of souvenir replicas made. I have 3 different versions of the Bennington Battle Monument and I’ve also seen 2 different wooden versions in collections. Makers use a variety of materials, styles and scale ratios when producing replicas. In the photo above, the small white version with a green base is lead and from the 1930’s. The center version is pewter and from the 1990’s. The gold version is pot metal and is mounted to a flat metal disk to give it stability. Dedicated in 1891, the Bennington Battle Monument stands over 306 tall and is the tallest man-made structure in Vermont. From the observation-level at 200 feet, you can can see land from the states of Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts. It was built to commemorate the Revolutionary War Battle of Bennington during which General John Stark successfully defeated two detachments of General Burgoyne's invading British army in 1777. Constructed of Sandy Hill Dolomite, a blue-gray magnesian limestone containing numerous fossils, it was designed by J. Phillip Rinn.