Designer: Unknown

Item: Machine Age Art Deco Cast Aluminum Bookends

Manufactured by: Unknown

Country of origin: United States

Year made: Ca. 1930s

Materials: Solid cast aluminum

Dimensions: 6 1/4" x 4 3/8" x 2 3/8" 

Condition: Very good, with some rubbing, fading and minor loss of the paint from age.  There are a few stains and some oxidation on the aluminum from aging, but nothing that in any way detracts from these incredible bookends.  We have not touched these as the natural patina of over 85 years has given the cast aluminum a mellow richness.

Description:  Here is an amazing pair of machine age skyscraper art deco cast aluminum bookends of the Bloom Township High School building in Chicago Heights, Illinois.  The high school building these were modeled after was finished in 1931 as a WPA project and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  These stunning bookends appear to be sand cast and are solid and quite heavy.  Based on the casting style it appears that it is unlikely more than a few were ever cast, and in over 20 years we have only ever seen one other pair.  They display the school’s colors of blue and white in the name on the bottom.  We have included a photo, courtesy of the high school's website, of the actual high school building from which these bookends appear to be a tribute.