Front Cover of Banthrico Buildings, Then and Now by Lance Oldham
Back Cover
Lance Oldham, author of the definitive Banthrico Buildings: Coin Banks and Souvenir Buildings, Monuments, and Landmarks Manufactured by the Banthrico Co. and Successor Companies (2004 – 6) is making available electronic copies of his book, Banthrico Buildings, Then and Now, to all members of the Souvenir Building Collectors’ Society, as a benefit of membership.
SBCS President, Joe Kopitz, states “I think that this is such terrific opportunity for our website and the SBCS. It adds such great value for our members and makes Lance’s hard work available to those who seek it most. Such a win-win.”
Lance has been a member of the Souvenir Building Collectors’ Society since 1995 and a member of the Still Bank Collectors Club of America since 1990. He is a frequent contributor of articles to the journals of both organizations. In writing Banthrico Buildings, Then and Now, Lance says, “My primary intent was to develop a database that could be used in writing comprehensive, detailed articles for collectors’ journals.”
In accomplishing his objective he not only provided the souvenir building and still bank collector communities with the specifications relating to the miniature replica building, but has conveyed the historical context of the actual building. For example, the Coast Federal Savings and Loan Association of Los Angeles issued a bank in 1961 that was a Rabbit looming over a replica of their building on Hill Street in Los Angeles. Lance’s data sheet not only covers the issue date and dimensions of the replica, but also supplies pictures of bank advertisements utilizing the Rabbit or “Bunny Bucks” as it was later known. There is even an advertisement depicting the Rabbit Bank, itself.
Coast Federal Savings & Loan, Assn. Banthrico Bank Data Sheet. Pg. 1 of 3 Pages.
The book illustrations are colorful, informative, and instructive. The organization is outstanding. If you ever want to develop a catalogue of your collection, Lance has laid out a format that makes you want to start doing it today.
SBCS Members can download the electronic file in the Members Only section of this website.
Excitement is building (pun intended) for the 2015 SBCS Convention, May 1 – 3, in Orlando, Florida and for an outstanding exhibit in the Orlando City Hall of miniature buildings from collections across the USA. Come enjoy the assemblage!
Reserve your room at the Embassy Suites Orlando – Downtown (800-809-9708, ask for the “Souvenir Building Collectors Society” rate) before Friday, April 3, 2015 to receive the special convention rate. Click here for the Embassy Suites Website.
Page 118 from “Souvenir Buildings, A Collection of Identified Miniatures” by Dort Fratzke Brown, Copyright 1977. Seminal publication of miniature buildings.
It is just 2 months until the 2015 SBCS Convention in Orlando, Florida!
UPDATES:
Among the activities scheduled is a field trip to Lakeland to view one of the largest collections in one place of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings. Other events include a tour of the SBCS Presentation of Souvenir Buildings Exhibit in the Rotunda of the Orlando City Hall, a visit to the home of a souvenir building collector, and the annual auction and raffle.
To read about Florida Southern College and the Frank Lloyd Wright connection visit William B. Carpenter’s website at http://www.franklloydwrightatfsc.com.
REMINDERS:
1. Get your hotel reservations. The rooms are going quickly. EMBASSY SUITES Orlando – Downtown. Phone 800-809-9708. Ask for Souvenir Building Collectors Society special rate!
2. Get your souvenir buildings for the City Hall Exhibit to Marty by March 14, 2015. Click here for more information about participating in the City Hall Exhibit. Also, you can email Marty at jakobchevy@bellsouth.net.
3. The newsletter is coming out soon with updates and registration material. We will post the Registration Materials after the Newsletter is available.
ONE: Members-Only Section Password has been reset as of February 2. Paid members will have received the new password for accessing the Members-Only sections of the website. Click here to see the full process.
TWO: Organizers are seeking souvenir buildings for the SBCS Exhibit of Souvenir Buildings at the Orlando City Hall. If you plan to submit any of your collection for inclusion now is time to get pictures and information to Marty G. —— ASAP. Instructions for submission can be accessed by clicking here.
Stadhusett – Stockholm (City Hall – Stockholm), Sweden, height – 3”, Cast Metal. Sticker on bottom reads, “Washfobik, Konsthantverk, Varby, Sweden.” The City Hall was designed the National Romantic style by the architect Ragnar Ostberg and was completed in 1923.
Russell K. shares the following: “These are two acquisitions that I consider as the most unique added to my collection as a result of the SBCS event in Nashville. Both represent major architectural monuments in Stockholm, Sweden. My wife and I have visited them during our travels to Sweden. I had not previously seen these souvenir buildings. They were formerly part of the collection of Pat Smith. Based on the number of other Swedish souvenir buildings I purchased at the swap meet that were part of her collection, I would assume she bought both pieces in Sweden. Joe K. had also brought a large number of pieces of travel literature that Pat had collected and my wife and I were pleased to be able to take a number of them that related to Scandinavia.”
Kungliga Slottet – Stockholm (Royal Palace), Sweden, height – 1 1/8”, Cast Metal, Maker unknown. Since completion in 1774 it has served as the official royal residence of the Swedish Royal family.
Steven C. and son, Ethan C., returned home from Nashville with lots of great additions to their collection of souvenir buildings and monuments. Check out these photos!
Tecumseh Monument, Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD; Polar Circle (Polarcirkel 1937) Monument, Norway; St. Pauls’s Cathedral, London; Shrine Peace Memorial, Toronto; Lucy the Elephant, Margate, NJ; Ricordo Di Padova; Temple of Saturn, Baalbeck, Lebanon.
Ricordo Di Padova, with St. Anthony Icon, Basilica of St. Anthony, Padua, ItalyPeace Arch Memorial, US-CN border, Blaine, WA & Surrey, BC; Fountainhead Chiropractic Hospital, Davenport, IA; Tower of America, 1968 HemisFair, San Antonio, TX; Lighthouse, Portland, ME; Sacre Coeur, Paris; Irish Cottage.Fountainhead Chiropractic Hospital, Davenport, Iowa.Winged Victory of Samothrace, Louvre, Paris (Nat’l Fed. of Business and Professional Women’s Club); State Capitol, Montgomery, AL; Trolley, San Francisco; St. Peter monument, Vatican.
And finishing off with a collectible Beer Tap Handle.
Heidelberg, Germany depicted on a Heidelberg (Tacoma, WA brewery) Beer Tap Handle
SBCS’s 2014 Convention is over. There were some good souvenir building and monument finds associated with the attendees’ travel, Nashville antique-ing, SBCS swapping, raffle and auction. Here are the first pictures sharing some of the take-homes.
Carolyn C. found the David sculpture, in perfect condition, at the “Big One” Nashville Flea Market on Friday. She was happy to grab it for $15.
David, Michelangelo, Italy, 5” tall, pot metal. Onyx base 2.5 “
Wynn W. scored one from his wish list at a flea market on his way home from the convention. “On the way North I made a few stops, including a flea market where I found this treasure. It has been near the top of my want list since I saw a photo of it well over 15 years ago. The finish is in excellent condition, but It looks like the Washington Monument was glued on at one time, and put on a bit crooked. I look forward to doing some major rearranging on my Washington DC shelves to make room for this piece. “
Washington DC cityscape, 4 1/2 inches tall, made in Japan, makers mark – Initials KT in a circle with wings, MM #246.
Many attendees left Nashville with a pocket full of refrigerator magnets that featured buildings and monuments. They were a final gift to members of SBCS from Pat Smith, who passed away earlier this year.
New York, Asturias, Maltese House, Wells Cathedral, HaNoi, Ellis Island, Museo Chillida, Unknown, Quebec CN.
SBCS President, Joe K did quite well and sent the following pictures of the loot with which he returned home.
Top row – United American Bank; Singing Tower – Mountain Lake, FLA; Havoline Tower – Chicago World’s Fair 1936 – 1934; Metal Sunsphere, Knoxville, TN; St. Jacob’s Stone Church, Brodbecks, PA; Statue of Liberty. Bottom Row – Oil rig – Wellington, TX; Locomotive Pencil Sharpener; Mount Rushmore; Neuschwanstein; oil rig on State of Texas outline; Befreiungshalle
Top row – Capitol Records 45 record sleeve (great graphics); Singing Tower – Lake Wales FLA; Knox County Court House; plastic Sunsphere, Knoxville, TN; Jefferson Standard Life Ins. Co., Greensboro, NC; R do Sevilla; Park Bank thermometer; United Nations cup & saucer. Bottom row – State Capitol, Harrisburg, PA (ceramic bank); Royal Manchester Exchange (porcelain box); Steamtown – Bellows Falls, VT (ceramic bank); Castillo De San Marco; The Hermitage (metal letter holder); Pikes Peak or Bust (S&P metal tray).
Top row – Buckingham Palace; SBCS 1994-2014 Parthenon; 3 monkeys on Savings Bank. Bottom row – Seattle Space Needle pen; Blackpool S&P set; 2 unknown metal buildings; Rehberger basketball player statue
Washington Monument and the Capitol; Hancock Tower; RCA Tubes Factory; Seagram’s Building; Radio Station and Mast; National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
SBCS 