Ergoiamtoo + your imagination = interior decorating of a different kind
Personalization is free. Just add a note in the special instructions box at checkout or
email instructions.
Fridge Magnet Letz & Co Chicago Iron Works 1870 Advertisement
SKU: M1873
See my other Chicago history souvenir magnets.
DESCRIPTION
This large sized magnet features an advertisement from 1870 promoting the Letz & Co. Chicago Iron Works. According to the advertisement, Letz manufactured "iron fronts for buildings, bank vaults and doors, jail doors and cells, iron fencing, grating, shutters, bolts, window caps and sills and iron work of every description." Founded in 1848 on Wells street, by 1870 the company occupied a 3-story facility at 84-92 S. Franklin St. It incorporated in 1867 and in 1870 was owned by George F. Letz, William H. Chenoweth and August Gabriel.
The original company, F. Letz & Son, was founded by George's father, Frederick (c1810-1876?), one of the first three members of Chicago's Board of Public Works, formed in 1861. In 1863 Frederick Letz was one of the commissioners who officiated over the construction of a 2-mile tunnel under the bed of Lake Michigan to bring fresh water into the city, a project that included the Chicago Water Tower. That same Board pressured Chicago's mayor to purchase 50 additional
acres to make Lincoln Park. Frederick's company was linked with other's in Chicago's ironworks history, including men named Johnson, Burling and Jacob J. Volrath. In the mid 1850s he sold his ornamental casting foundry to Nathaniel Bouton. Frederick retired in 1869 and his son George, who had joined the company in 1857, took over. Chenoweth joined the company in 1855 as superintendent and foreman. August Gabriel joined in 1858 as a foreman.
In 1869 the company put in the lowest bid, $85,000, to do the iron work on Wisconsin's new state capital building; no clue whether they got the contract. At the time of this ad George Letz may have been developing his fireproof metal roof that he would patent in 1872. It would not be his first patent; in 1861 George patented a rolling iron shutter. It appears August Gabriel started his own company; by 1876 he was the proprietor of Industrial Iron Works on Monroe street.
Size: 3” x 4-1/4” (7.62cm x 10.79cm)
Hi there.
Thanks for clicking in.
Any jagged lines in the picture result from image resolution being downgraded for the web and will not appear on your magnet, nor will any part numbers or sample marks.
The size this magnet appears to you depends on your monitor size & settings, is different for every person and I have no control over it. You should use size info provided at left to determine whether the size works for you.
SKU: M1873
Fridge Magnet Letz & Co Chicago Iron Works 1870 Advertisement
Q. Can you personalize or make custom magnets? Happy to, make dozens every week. Simple text changes to stock magnets are free, including eliminating all text. Just add instructions to your payment or email me after payment.
Sorry, I do not sell magnets of copyrighted images unless you are the copyright holder.
Q. How strong is the magnetism? Will it stick to my ....? My magnets will hold a couple sheets of lightweight paper or an appointment card but are apt to fail at holding Johnny's finger-painted masterpiece slathered with a pint of tempera paint, or a stack of coupons. The magnet covers the entire back, which means it's unlikely to be brushed to the floor by a youngster cart wheeling through the kitchen.
Q. Any special offers? Every order ships with at least 1 free magnet, sometimes made exclusively for you, always selected with an eye to your particular interests.
Q. Are magnets three dimensional or die cut? Nope. They are hand crafted rectangular pictures printed on flat, flexible 30ml magnetic vinyl with a protective satin-finish top coating and hand finished edges.
The magnets are roughly twice the thickness & strength of magnetic material found at office supply stores. They are suitable for interior use.
In other languages that's: El imán es una imagen plana. L'aimant est une image plate. Der Magnet ist ein flaches Bild. Il magnete è un'immagine piatta. De magneet is een vlakke afbeelding.
Q. Where are the magnets made and who makes them? They're made in Elkhart, Indiana U.S.A. by Yours Truly. I'm a 1-lady band so when you buy from me, you deal only with me. If your order is flubbed, your complaint goes directly to the person who has the most to gain by your satisfaction. When preparing your order my goal is to please you enough that you'll send other customers my way and return yourself.
Q. What if I don't like my magnets? Return within 14 days of receipt for a full refund, including return shipping, up to the amount I spent getting it to you. (In other words, if you decide to fly it here on your jet, you're buying the fuel :). Just
email so I'll know to watch for an incoming parcel.
Copyrights and images
I do not knowingly sell copyrighted materials. Please contact me if you see an image in my offerings that is contrary to this policy.
Q. What about durability? Will they damage my refrigerator?
They are kind to your refrigerator; no metal corners to scratch or rust, no plastic sleeves to harbor soil or moisture. The top layer is fused to the magnetic base and does not delaminate. To clean, wipe with a damp cloth. Do not soak, use abrasives or apply cleaning products containing bleach or solvents. I've run them through the dishwasher without disaster, but they'll last longer if you keep them out of puddles, away from puppy teeth, and remember they're not suitable for exterior use.
