early 20th century original salvaged chicago blackstone hotel ornamental cast bronze guest room key fob with nickel-plated skeleton key

original and nicely aged blackstone hotel ornamental cast bronze guest room key fob and matching nickel-plated skeleton key likely fabricated by the yale & towne mfg. co., stamford, ct. the nicely aged oval-shaped fob contains the hotel's name and room number. the nickel-plated skeleton key exhibits wear consistent with age. the brass chain is original and in good condition. the hotel fob is the very earliest type or style issued to guests shortly after the hotel opened in 1910. the 290-foot 21-story marshall and fox-designed blackstone hotel was built from 1908 to 1910. the hotel was named for timothy blackstone, a notable chicago business executive and politician, who served as the founding president of the union stock yards, president of the chicago and alton railroad and mayor of la salle, illinois. the hotel's exterior and interior are considered an excellent example of both neoclassical beaux-arts and french second empire architecture.