OUR ORIGINAL FEATURE ITEM: An 1875 Medallion mounted on your choice of two different designs of the Keepsake Display Plaque: Autumn Black, or Summer Wood, highlighting the beautiful photography of John Kucko, from John Kucko Digital!
About The Plaques:
These Keepsake Display Plaques will proudly show off your 1875 Medallion, whether sitting on a shelf or a desk, each plaque has the history of the bridge on the back. Each Medallion is mounted to the plaque with a Decorative Wrought Head Black Oxide Finish nail. These nails come from the oldest continuous nail manufacturer in America, The Tremont Nail Company in Mansfield, Mass., and are "Designed to simulate the hand-forged nails of the late 1700's." The plaques are available in two different styles:
#1. Autumn Black: Image captured by John Kucko in the Fall of 2015, features a gorgeous array of colors, and highlights the trestle in all it's glory. We are pleased to have been able to partner with Sign Language, Inc., in Perry, NY, who produced these sturdy and decoratively cut plaques. They feature the stunning Autumn image on the front, and on the back, the history is highlighted in white on black. A beautiful way to display your treasured 1875 Medallion! (Plaque size: 6 3/4"x4 3/16"x3/4")
#2. Summer Wood: Image captured by John Kucko in August of 2015, features the 1944 Nickel Plate 765 steam engine as it crossed the 1875 Iron Portageville Bridge on a historic voyage, pulling hundreds of passengers in vintage cars. The plaque is handcrafted from reclaimed hardwood, featuring a high quality image on the front and the history on the back, all printed by Olive & Ink, LLC of Perry, NY. The plaque has a protective matte coating that also brings out the richness and character of the natural blemishes and old nail holes in the wood. The last ever steam engine to cross the trestle, this plaque showcases a close up of the bridge, a wonderful reminder of the 142+ years of history of our beloved trestle! (Plaque size: 5 3/4"x4 3/8"x15/16")
About The Medallions:
A precious medallion cut from a limited quantity of the authentic turnbuckle rods acquired from the 1875 Iron Portageville Bridge, originally located in beautiful Letchworth State Park in Portageville, NY. Every medallion is numbered on the back.
The turnbuckle rods played a vital role by essentially 'holding' the bridge together. Without them, it is entirely possible that as trains passed over, the trestle would have buckled under the weight and stress.
Each medallion is stamped with the year 1875, the same year the bridge was built. The stamp itself was specially commissioned from a Massachusetts company, Durable Technologies, whose artists captured the essence of the same font used on the 1875 date plates that were located on each of the 24 legs of the old trestle.
Medallions to be mounted are available in THREE sizes (although quantities are limited):
1. Small (approximately 1 1/8" diameter)
2. Medium (approximately 1 1/4" diameter)
3. Large (approximately 1 1/2" diameter)
Two color choices available in each size:
1. Silver
2. Color Variety. Colors range from:
- A. This color variety (Gold) no longer available. Please choose from B, C or D.
- B. gold with some blue/purple/silver
- C. mostly blue and purple with some gold/silver
- D. gunmetal color.
Because of the nature of the metal, we can not control the exact coloring of the medallions. If you choose this option, please be aware that your medallion will vary in the color you receive. In checkout, you will have the opportunity to leave a note as to the color you would prefer, using B, C or D as noted above under option 2-Color Variety. We will try our best to match the color closest to your preference. If you do not leave a preference, we will select a color for you.
Packaged in a keepsake commemorative box, this Keepsake Display Plaque with Mounted 1875 Medallion will be a symbol of the strength of the beloved Iron Portageville Bridge, a piece of history you can hold, display, and treasure forever!