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Terra-cotta relief artwork

Terra-cotta relief artwork

Sandwich Illinois Post Office

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Sandwich IL Post Office 60548
Sandwich IL Post Office 60548

ADDRESS: 22 North Eddy Street, Sandwich, Illinois, 60548
ARTIST: Marshall Maynard Fredericks
TITLE: The Family
MEDIUM: Terra-cotta (relief)
STATUS: The Sandwich 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: 1941

So I decided to visit in July and I guess the town was having their 4th of July parade. Needless to say it was very congested in and around the post office during my visit. I didn’t even try to stick around for an un-obstructed photo of the building. I knew it was going to be next to impossible because of the parade. The photos I did get are shown below. Luckily, it’s not terribly far and I imagine I’ll be back in the future to get better exterior photos.

I’m trying to remember who mentioned the history of this one. Evidently, I must have spoken to one of the postal employees because I learned that this one was painted over when the lobby was remodeled. At least that his the story I heard. This individual also mentioned at one point the original terra-cotta relief was painted in color. The horse was painted brown, the pigs were pink and sheet had black noses painted eyes etc.

So I’m asking myself, who would have ordered the painters to just paint over the art and just turn the walls completely white? Further more what painter must have been desperate or followed those orders and painted over the entire piece? I’m shocked and bit surprised. It also appears this might have been done many years ago judging by how dusty or dirty the top of the piece is. I’m not angry as much as I’m just disappointed. When I visit these buildings my wish is to see they as they were when initially installed. So I hope I’m not sending the wrong message of being mad, just disappointed.

Anyway, enough venting for now. Does anyone out there have pictures of the original before it was painted over? Have you seen this before it was painted all white? Please comment below. I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Sandwich Illinois Post Office 60548
Sandwich Illinois Post Office 60548
Sandwich Illinois Post Office 60548 Corner Stone
Sandwich Illinois Post Office 60548
Sandwich Illinois Post Office 60548
Sandwich Illinois Post Office 60548
Sandwich Illinois Post Office Art 60548 Detail
Sandwich Illinois Post Office Art 60548 Detail
Sandwich Illinois Post Office Art 60548 Detail
Sandwich Illinois Post Office Art 60548 Full
Sandwich Illinois Post Office Art 60548 Detail
Sandwich Illinois Post Office Art 60548 Detail
Sandwich Illinois Post Office Art 60548 Detail
Sandwich Illinois Post Office Art 60548 Detail
Sandwich Illinois Post Office Art 60548 Full
Sandwich Illinois Post Office Art 60548 Full
Sandwich Illinois Post Office Art 60548 Full
Sandwich Illinois Post Office 60548
Sandwich Illinois Post Office 60548

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

Sources

Mason Michigan Post Office

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Mason MI Post Office 48854
Mason MI Post Office 48854

ADDRESS: 144 W. Ash St., Mason, Michigan, 48854
TITLE: Early Postmaster
ARTIST: Marion Overby
MEDIUM: Terra-cotta (relief)
STATUS: The relieve resides in the lobby above the postmaster’s door.
Year: 1939

I debated with myself as to whether I should post this one. Here is why, for starters the construction in the front of building. Not the prettiest picture but at least I was able to document a little bit. Another reason I almost didn’t post this one is because it was closed at the time I visited. It was a Sunday, and this one does not keep the lobby open.

So those were the two reason I almost decided not to post this one yet. But I figured it may be a while before I get back to this one. And that is the story for a lot of the photos I have, and I figured I might as well get them out there. Just because I don’t like the photo, or because I wasn’t able to get the artwork shouldn’t prevent me from posting that I’ve at least made the effort. So that is my story and I’m sticking to it. Yes, I visited, No I did not get inside to view the artwork. But that is how is goes sometime. And although I’m not OK with it, what other choice do I have?

So I’m offering this one up for you all. What can you tell me about it? Do you have picture’s you like to send me of the artwork here? Maybe some historical photos or stories?

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Mason Michigan Post Office 48854
Mason Michigan Post Office 48854 Cornerstone
Mason Michigan Post Office 48854 Cornerstone
Mason Michigan Post Office 48854
Mason Michigan Post Office 48854
Mason Michigan Post Office 48854

Update September 2015

The lobby was closed during my initial visit in November of 2010. It must have been a Sunday or after hours. I don’t remember which, but I was not able to view the art. So when I return to Mason in August of this year 2015 I made sure to visit during business hours. Another bonus from this visit is that the construction was completed and the construction cones and flags obstruction the view of the building were gone.

That’s what it take some times to get these great pictures. Multiple visits and a willingness to keep at it. I hope you enjoy the following updated images of the Mason building and its plaster cast.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Mason Michigan Post Office 48854
Mason Michigan Post Office 48854
Mason Michigan Post Office Art 48854 Detail
Mason Michigan Post Office Art 48854 Detail
Mason Michigan Post Office Art 48854 Detail
Mason Michigan Post Office Art 48854 Bottom
Mason Michigan Post Office Art 48854 Detail
Mason Michigan Post Office Art 48854 Detail
Mason Michigan Post Office Art 48854 Detail
Mason Michigan Post Office Art 48854 Detail
Mason Michigan Post Office Art 48854 Detail
Mason Michigan Post Office Art 48854 Full
Mason Michigan Post Office Art 48854 Full
Mason Michigan Post Office Art 48854 Detail
Mason Michigan Post Office Art 48854 Detail
Mason Michigan Post Office Art 48854 Detail
Mason Michigan Post Office Art 48854 Full
Mason Michigan Post Office Art 48854 Lobby
Mason Michigan Post Office Art 48854 Signature
Mason Michigan Post Office Art 48854 Signature
Mason Michigan Post Office Art 48854 Top
Mason Michigan Post Office 48854

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

Sources

Rockwood Tennessee Post Office

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Rockwood TN Post Office 37854
Rockwood TN Post Office 37854

ADDRESS: 340 W. Rockwood St., Rockwood, Tennessee, 37854
ARTIST: Christian Heinrich
TITLE: Wild Life
MEDIUM: Terra-cotta (relief)
STATUS: The Rockwood 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: 1939

It’s not often that I get to showcase artwork other than murals. So when I come across something different like the terra-cotta reliefs get excited. The Rockwood Tennessee post office is one example of this wonderful find.

Calling all Rockwood Tennessee historians. I’ve been trying to find more historical information regarding this building and the artwork in the building. Other than some general google searching nothing of relevant is appearing. Does anything have more information regarding when the post office was built? Any historical pictures or post cards? Did you know the artist? Where you there when it was installed? So many questions.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Rockwood Tennessee Post Office 37854
Rockwood Tennessee Post Office 37854
Rockwood Tennessee Post Office 37854
Rockwood Tennessee Post Office 37854
Rockwood Tennessee Post Office Cornerstone
Rockwood Tennessee Post Office Terra Cotta Relief
Rockwood Tennessee Post Office Terra Cotta Relief Artist Signature
Rockwood Tennessee Post Office Terra Cotta Relief Artwork
Rockwood Tennessee Post Office Terra Cotta Relief Detail
Rockwood Tennessee Post Office Terra Cotta Relief Detail
Rockwood Tennessee Post Office Terra Cotta Relief Detail
Rockwood Tennessee Post Office Terra Cotta Relief Left Side
Rockwood Tennessee Post Office Terra Cotta Relief Right Side

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

Sources