30 Apr the bldg. 51 archive acquires a massive collection of early 20th century building trade magazine terra cotta advertisements
April 30, 2025
in Bldg. 51, Events & Announcements, Featured Posts, Miscellaneous, New Acquisitions, New Products
the bldg. 51 archive recently amassed a large collection of early 20th century building trade journal or periodical advertisements pertaining to various examples of terra cotta ornament (often accompanied by commission and/ or architect) fabricated by the american, midland, and northwestern terra cotta companies – all based in and around chicago. a small selection of digitized adverisements provided below.
visually striking page from an undated brochure distributed by the northwestern terra cotta company. the collage of buildings – most located in chicago – were “faced” with their terra cotta.
courtesy of bld. 51 archive.
courtesy of bld. 51 archive.
original american terra cotta company magazine advertisement for john eberson’s atmospheric avalon theater (1927), located at 1641 east 79th street, chicago, ils.
courtesy of bldg. 51 archive.
original midland terra cotta company magazine advertisement showcasing their work on congress theater (fridstein and company, 1926), located at 2135 north milwaukee avenue, chicago, il.
courtesy of bldg. 51 archive
original american terra cotta company magazine advertisement for john eberson’s atmospheric avalon theater (1927), located at 1641 east 79th street, chicago, ils.
courtesy of bldg. 51 archive.
collection of original early 20th century northwestern terra cotta company periodical advertisements.
the sullivanesque ornament is especially interesting.
courtesy of bldg. 51 archive.
additional advertisements recently digitized without description.
