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Terra-cotta relief artwork

Terra-cotta relief artwork

Bedford Indiana Post Office

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Bedford IN Post Office 47421
Bedford IN Post Office 47421

ADDRESS: 1720 H St, Bedford, IN 47421
ARTIST: John Fabion
TITLE: Limestone Quarry Workers
MEDIUM: Terra-cotta (relief)
STATUS: The original Bedford post office closed and moved to this facility. The sculpture was moved and resides in the retail section of the lobby. It is best viewed during business hours as the retail section of the lobby is closed during non-business hours.
YEAR: 1942

Note to self: the relief is located in the LOCKED section of the lobby. I took the following images through the glass doors. In addition the relief is also covered by a display case.

Before heading to Bedford, I was trying to figure out the location of the original building. But apparently I did not write this down prior to my visit. When I showed up to this building, I was standing outside of my car, apparently looking confused.

A kind lady asked if I needed help. I explained that I was looking for the original building and she immediately responded that she knew exactly where it was and that I should follow her. WOW! a personal escort to the old building.

I wasn’t expecting that, thank you.

David W. Gates Jr.

Bedford IN Post Office 47421
Bedford IN Post Office 47421
Bedford IN Post Office 47421
Bedford IN Post Office 47421 Dedication Plaque
Bedford IN Post Office 47421
Bedford IN Post Office 47421
Bedford-IN-Post-Office-47421-Relief15
Bedford-IN-Post-Office-47421-Relief20
Bedford-IN-Post-Office-47421-Relief9
Bedford-IN-Post-Office-47421-Relief10
Bedford-IN-Post-Office-47421-Relief11
Bedford-IN-Post-Office-47421-Relief8

“Used with the permission of the United States Postal Service®. All rights reserved.”

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Linden New Jersey Post Office

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Linden New Jersey Post Office 07036
Linden New Jersey Post Office 07036

ADDRESS: 400 N. Wood Ave., Ste A, Linden, New Jersey 07036
ARTIST: Sahl Swarz
TITLE: Industry
MEDIUM: Terra-cotta (relief)
STATUS: The Linden post office is still an active, operating facility, and the relief can be viewed by interested members of the public. It resides in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1934

All the images I viewed of the Linden post office prior to my visit, indicated it being an extremely busy area. I anticipated waiting around a long time to get unobstructed images of the exterior of this one. You could imagine my surprise when a car directly in front of the building moved as I approached. The situation was perfect and I was able to fire off a few shots with no cars or people in the photographs. Score!

I hurried inside to get the relief images and was on my way. This particular situation made my day, as I dreaded waiting around in such a busy area. It was nice to see everyone wearing a mask, but I just didn’t want to be around a lot of people, after all, we are still in an pandemic.

David W. Gates Jr.

Linden New Jersey Post Office 07036
Linden New Jersey Post Office 07036
Linden New Jersey Post Office 07036
Linden New Jersey Post Office 07036 Cornerstone
Linden New Jersey Post Office 07036
Linden New Jersey Post Office 07036 Relief
Linden New Jersey Post Office 07036 Relief Detail
Linden New Jersey Post Office 07036 Relief Detail
Linden New Jersey Post Office 07036 Relief Detail
Linden New Jersey Post Office 07036 Relief Detail
Linden New Jersey Post Office 07036
Linden New Jersey Post Office 07036 Relief
Linden New Jersey Post Office 07036 Relief

“Used with the permission of the United States Postal Service®. All rights reserved.”

Sources

Abingdon Illinois Post Office

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Abingdon IL Post Office 61410
Abingdon IL Post Office 61410

ADDRESS: 123 West Meek Street, Abingdon, Illinois 61410
ARTST: Newell Hillis Arnold
TITLE: Post Rider
MEDIUM: Terra-cotta (relief)
STATUS: The Abingdon post office is still an active, operating facility, and the relief can be viewed by interested members of the public. It resides in the lobby on the wall above postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1941

Do I have any art major’s out there? I’m wondering what the difference is with different types of media. Take this one from Abingdon, Illinois. My research reveled it was made from Terra Cotta, But I have seen descriptions for other reliefs as being plaster. What is the difference?

At any rate Illinois is packed with murals so having another type of media type on the wall is what makes Abingdon unique. This particular one is pretty interesting in that it really shows action. Most reliefs are pretty static in they depict one character or subject. This one shows action. I like it.

I also like all the old photos on display in the lobby.

What are you thoughts on this one? Please comment and share below.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Abingdon Illinois Post Office 61410
Abingdon Illinois Post Office 61410
Abingdon Illinois Post Office 61410
Abingdon Illinois Post Office 61410
Abingdon Illinois Post Office 61410 Corner Stone
Abingdon Illinois Post Office Art 61410 Full
Abingdon Illinois Post Office Art 61410 Detail
Abingdon Illinois Post Office Art 61410 Detail
Abingdon Illinois Post Office Art 61410 Detail
Abingdon Illinois Post Office Art 61410 Detail
Abingdon Illinois Post Office Art 61410 Detail
Abingdon Illinois Post Office Art 61410 Detail
Abingdon Illinois Post Office Art 61410 Detail
Abingdon Illinois Post Office Art 61410 Detail
Abingdon Illinois Post Office Art 61410 Detail
Abingdon Illinois Post Office Art 61410 Detail
Abingdon Illinois Post Office Art 61410 Detail
Abingdon Illinois Post Office Art 61410 Detail
Abingdon Illinois Post Office 61410 Artifacts
Abingdon Illinois Post Office 61410 Artifacts
Abingdon Illinois Post Office 61410 Artifacts
Abingdon Illinois Post Office 61410 Artifacts
Abingdon Illinois Post Office 61410 Artifacts
Abingdon Illinois Post Office 61410 Artifacts

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“Used with the permission of the United States Postal Service®. All rights reserved.”

Sources