original cast plaster interior cove ornament salvaged by richard nickel from adler and sullivan's 1892 albert sullivan residence

adler and sullivan's albert sullivan residence (1892) as it appeared in 1890's, 1956, and 1969. sullivan himself lived there from 1892-1896, followed by his brother albert, who resided there with his family from 1896 to 1905.

the house was meticulously deconstructed in 1970 with the intention of rebuilding elsewhere. carefully labeled sections of the bedford limestone facade (e.g., lunette, columns and capitals, and stoop) were salvaged by richard nickel and his brother donald under grueling conditions.

the stone was later transported to edwardsville and stowed away with the rest of nickel's collection (he sold his early sullivan ornament to siue in 1966, but continued to acquire ornament for the university until his death in 1972).

images by james w. taylor, ralph marlow line, and richard nickel.

courtesy of bldg. 51 archive