Restored "American Progress" Mural At 30 Rockefeller Plaza
After months of a painstaking, inch-by-inch, restoration process, Rockefeller Center unveiled the newly restored 656-square foot American Progress mural in the lobby of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The mural, which was commissioned by John D. Rockefeller Jr., and painted by Spanish artist Jose Maria Sert in 1937, is the centerpiece of 16,000 square feet of public art located on the walls, staircases, mezzanine and ceiling of the building.
American Progress is the main focal point of the lobby, measuring over 16 feet high and 41 feet long. A vast allegorical scene depicting the development of America during the past three hundred years, the mural prominently features two great Americans: Abraham Lincoln (standing on the left center) and Ralph Waldo Emerson (seated below Lincoln). American Progress portrays the collaboration of idealists and labor. On the right, small figures are raising heroic statues of three muses: poetry, music and dance, representing creative energy and man's dreams. On the left, looking toward the soil for strength, men or action are raising colossal states
representing labor.
Tishman Speyer commissioned art conservationists Evergreene Architectural Arts to restore the murals.
"Overall, the works of art had been in stable condition, and the main conservation concern was the polyurethane coating that was applied to the panels in the 1970s," said Jeff Greene, President of Evergreene Architectural Arts. "The removal of this degraded and inferior vanish restored the space to the artists' original vision for the interior of 30 Rockefeller Plaza."
To date, the wall murals have been completed, and the difference between the restored murals and the untouched ceiling and elevator bank murals is staggering. The ceiling restoration will begin later this week.
American Progress is one of 16 murals by Jose Maria Sert and British artist Frank Brangwyn,r elating to the theme of New Frontiers. Brangwyn's four murals depict the ethical development of man and express man's relationship to society and his fellow man. Sert's 12 murals represent development of technological power. While they are individual works of art, the murals all relate to each other. Designer Edward Trumbull and an art committee determined the color palette – black, white and gray – materials, and method of painting (chiaroscuro). Canvases were shipped from New York to Europe, where the artists painted the murals.
Match Safe Convention
The International Match Safe Association will hold its twelfth annual convention in London, England on April 15-16, 2010. The convention hotel will be the Holiday Inn London-Regents Park, Carburton Street, London W1W 5EE. IMSA was founded in 1998 and is the only organization in the world specifically devoted to match safes/vestas and match holders. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in match safes/vestas or match holders.
Highlights of the convention include educational sessions on a variety of subjects, show and tell, and selling among attendees. There will be a large number of match safes/vestas available to be seen by attendees. The convention kicks off with a reception on Thursday evening to provide an opportunity for everyone to get acquainted with each other and to renew old friendships. It will also feature an extensive exhibit of match safes/vestas.
A trip to the J. W. Evans Tool and Die Manufacturing Facility located in the Jewelry Quarter in Birmingham is planned for April 14. J.W. Evans was established in the 1880's and made a wide range of products including match safes/vestas. They were acquired by the Heritage Organization in 2008 to preserve the history of this important facet of Birmingham and its silver trade. Touring the facility and seeing its original equipment, dies and processes is like stepping 100 years back into time.
IMSA members include novice to premiere collectors, dealers and experts from around the world. Members receive a quarterly newsletter and access to valuable information found in the membership section of the club's web site. IMSA has recently published two books Exceptional Match Safes and Gorham Match Safes. The books are available exclusively through IMSA.
The convention is for members only. For additional information contact George Sparacio, mrvestal@aol.com. Information is also available by contacting IMSA, PO Box 227, Riverdale, NJ 07457, phone 856-981-2955 or visiting IMSA's website at www.matchsafe.org.
Glowing: Cape May's Stained Glass Exhibit
The 1896 Prince Edward at 38 Jackson St. is noted for its variety of original stained glass windows including the one seen here which is believed to be the largest working stained glass window in Cape May. Presented by Dottie Rogers, Cape May's own stained glass expert and guest curator, "Glowing: Cape May's Stained Glass Exhibit" at the Carriage House Gallery features photographs of richly-colored 19th century windows in Cape Ma
y, tools of the stained glass trade, jewel-like samples of intensely colored glass and the uplifting story of the restoration of church windows in Cape May. The exhibit is open daily from April 30 to Nov. 7, gallery hours vary. The Carriage House Gallery is located on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Admission is $2 or free with any tour of the Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May's only Victorian house museum. This exhibit is sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities (MAC), a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Cape May's heritage. MAC also fosters the performing arts and MAC membership is open to all. For information about MAC's year-round schedule of tours, festivals, and special events, call 609-884-5404, 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org. For information about restaurants, accommodations and shopping, call the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May at 609-884-5508.
The Top 30 Antique & Collectible Searches of 2009
TIAS.com (http://www.tias.com) the Webs largest online antique & collectible mall, today released their annual report on the most requested search terms used by people looking for antiques and collectibles online in 2009. To view examples of the items listed in this years top 30 list, please visit the TIAS Web site at http://www.tias.com and enter the antique or collectible you are interested in finding, into the search box located in the upper right corner of the home page.
The top 30 list is based on millions of online searches that were conducted by customers visiting antique and collectible related Web sites that are hosted by TIAS.com Inc.
Keep in mind that these searches are what people were looking for, not necessarily what they were buying. In many cases, people will search for items when they are just trying to determine a value of a specific item that they have in their possession.
Here are the 30 most requested online search terms for 2009: 1) Bavaria (china & dinnerware); 2) Transferware; 3) Cookie Jars; 4) Die Cut; 5) Selb; 6) Ironstone; 7) Dinnerware; 8) Hutschenreuther; 9) Plates; 10) EAPG; 11) Silesia; 12) Harker; 13) Knowle; 14) Figurine; 15) Porcelain; 16) Vanity; 17) McCoy; 18) Ardalt; 19) Avon; 20) Vitreou; 21) Teacups; 22) Roseville; 23) Dolls; 24) Lefton; 25) Glass; 26) Vase; 27) Crocks; 28) Westmoreland; 29) Stamps and 30) Carnival Glass.
2010 MCSA Drive
The Marble Collectors Society of America (MCSA) was founded in 1975 as a nonprofit organization established for charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes. Society objectives include gathering and disseminating information as well as performing services to further the hobby of marbles, marble collecting, and the preservation of the history of marbles and marble making.
Contributions are needed for the Society to continue to meet its goals and publications. The largest portion of contributions received is used to print and mail information generated by the Society. None of the
contributions that are received are used for compensation. All of the hours spent researching, writing, typing, and preparing mailings are done so at no expense to the MCSA. Your contribution may be tax deductible. $12.00 will add your name to the Society contributor mailing list for 2010; $21.00 covers two years; and $30.00 three years.
Some of the MCSA's major accomplishments to date are the uninterrupted issuance of the Society's quarterly newsletter, Marble Mania™, and accompanying Calendar of Meets, shows and auctions; various surveys; photographing and publishing color sheets; gathering and placing museum collections, in addition to those currently housed at The Smithsonian Institute, The Corning Museum of Glass, and the Museum of American Glass at Wheaton Arts; publication of price guides with periodic updates; ongoing work towards establishing a library of articles and marble related material; preparation and publication of contributor listings; research and issuance of articles concerning marble factories and contemporary marble makers; publication of books dedicated to the hobby of marble collecting; preparation of videotapes on marbles, including the first two-hour videotape on collecting marbles; classification and appraisal services. 2010 will also see new editions of both Marble Mania and Marbles: Identification and Price Guide, 5th Edition.
Rock Hall Offers "Storytelling By The Fireside"
Children ages 6-10 are invited to listen to American Girl Stories. Fee $5 per child, minimum of 15 children. Prepayment is required. Please call the office to arrange a story, date and time.
The Rock Hall Museum is located at 199 Broadway, Lawrence, NY11559. For more information, please call (516) 239-1157.
