Last week, jeff wanted to get in on the antique store diversion. He was just dying to walk around antique stores to carry my purchases, load a dresser in the van for my mom, and give me the side-eye when I wanted to buy anything. Of course, I’m being sarcastic, but he actually wanted to drive me around and take me to some of my old favorite shops. He has enjoyed seeing the things I’ve bought for our new house and is excited about helping me with future building and design projects. He knows I sold a lot of stuff and supports me in spending the money I saved on things I love. He’s a keeper. Anyway, there were a lot of tempting things at On a Whim and the surrounding stores, but the only thing I bought was a Syracuse Ornamental Company catalogue from 1923. The minute I spotted it, I knew it was special. I picked it up, hugged it to my chest, and carried it straight to the counter.
When I got home, I looked up “Syracuse Ornamental Company catalogue” and I only found one complete catalogue on Worthpoint. (Does anyone have a membership to see the price? The listing is HERE.) There is a pamphlet (maybe a part of a catalogue) listed HERE on eBay for $125 and 51 plates listed HERE for $275. You can find some interesting information about the company, Syroco HERE.
I paid $70 for this almost 100-year-old design catalogue and I know it was a very good buy.
The leather cover is pretty, but the real treasure is inside the Syracuse Ornamental Company catalogue…
Syracuse Ornaments Company Catalogue “k” from 1923 to be more specific…
When I opened the book and flipped to the second page and read period carvings, I knew this was a book for me.
“Period Carvings. A catalog containing one-half size reproductions of original designs done in pen and ink and representing an elaborate selection of carvings and mouldings of rare execution and true to the periods.”
This catalogue is filled with hundreds of plates of furniture and architectural design elements. It’s just a treasure trove.
There are 432 plates or carvings, moldings, trim, and furnishings. I am still giddy about it.
Since my blog readers collectively offer a vast amount of knowledge, has anyone heard of or seen one of these Syracuse Ornamental Company catalogues before? I’m assuming since there is a catalogue “K”, there are more volumes. In my search, I did find some Syroco products made by the Syracuse Ornamental Company online.
I’m imagining this catalog was used by furniture makers, but perhaps also by design houses and architectural firms.
So, how am I going to enjoy this catalogue? Well, I plan to use it as a design reference book for patterns, paintings, sketches, linocuts, and embroidery. It just has so much potential. And, as with the antique French architecture portfolios (you can read about those HERE) I found a few weeks ago, I will scan some pages and do something fun with them. Prints? T-shirts? Or just offer a collection of digital files? I’m not sure, yet, but my head is buzzing just thinking about it.
As usual, I have more ideas than time!
There is a sticker on the inside back cover of the book that says the catalogue can be recalled at any time. I’m going to keep my new address a secret so they can never find me or my Syracuse Ornamental Company Catalogue.
You can find more of my recent favorite antique finds HERE.
Right place/ right time, as they say. Looks like a great find, and sounds like inspiration with lots of possibilities. It’s nice to have your best friend along to enjoy the hunt with you.
Can you let us know what town On A Whim is in? It looks charming!
It”s near the Luckett’s store in Lucketts Va. on Rt.15, a few miles north of Leesburg, Va.
That was an exciting day!
The catalogue is very cool and certainly was right up your antique alley! Will be fun to see what you produce from the catalogue. ?
A quick google search shows there’s a store by that name in Leesburg, Va. Not sure if that where she went, though.
I will ask my brother- in-law if he has heard of this catalogue he is from Syracuse & graduated from Syracuse Univ and his father was a builder and donated a building on campus. So will let upu know if he is familiar with this.
Oh Marian,
I know you have a great sense of humor. So I wanted to tell you that when I initially saw this post show up in my email, I thought “why would she want this” ????
At my first glace I thought it said Syracuse Oatmeal Company Catalogue!! I’m not kidding. Hope you find this as funny as I did when I realized what I’d done. It’s been a bit of a crazy day. So not surprised that I woke up a little nutty today. 🙂
Ha ha can’t tell you how many times I have made a similar mistake
Ha I thought it was “Oriental” and pictured a new interest coming with lots of red…..
Well, that’s really interesting. To me “Syroco” stands for the clock making company, particularly mid-century starburst clocks. Are these perhaps the same company? Now I’m wondering!
Okay, I looked it up, YES, they are the same company! Wow!
Hi Marion. I’m from Syracuse and am familiar with the Syroco products which were popular in the 60’s thru 70’s. It appears there are more catalogs as it looks like Syracuse University has a collection. I just googled Syracuse ornamental and info on their collection popped up.
OMG I LOVE this cannot wait to see what you give US from this. So many possibilities. Thank you
Yes Please! T-Shirts would be incredible!!!
I remember back in the ’60;s there was a company by the name of Syroco who sold plastic decorative wall ornaments and such. Like Tupperware they had home parties.
Yup, same company!
I am salivating by watching those few pages! Cannot wait to see what you will come up with out of them! Good buy!!!
What a treasure. I would squirrel that catalog into my nightstand so I could pour over the pages at night before bed. Such happy dreams I would have!
Some day I can only hope to go antiquing on the East Coast
After realizing you are shopping in VA and NC, I suggest you check out Black Dog Salvage in Roanoke Va. There was a TV show about them for awhile, but if you are in the area, you should check it out.
I loved Black Dog Salvage! Marion would have a blast there. I thought they were out west.
What a beautiful book!