Page 27 - Abraham Lincoln Hearse Narrative

FOURTH PROGRESS UPDATE ~ DECEMBER, 2014 ~ ERIC HOLLENBECK
have to worry about them ever separating. Big
problem solved!!!
But it don’t stop here; next will be Mitch
who has to make 32 Black Onyx cabochons for
the finials. He is the
guy responsible for
transforming the top
decorative castings
from simply beautiful
~ into the “Crown
Jewels.” These Black
Cesar Murillo testing the fit of a new piece. Onyx jewels against
the 24k gold-leafed
castings will definitely be the crowning touch. The Black Onyx was
provided by A. Brian Lauer, a friend of the Staab Family.
All of this, of course, is happening as I am sitting in my
rocker, twiddling my thumbs, humming old man tunes to myself!
Sometimes I feel like my head will explode!
Since each step of our project has necessitated a sharp Enrique Ayala being silly
learning curve for us all , we are grateful we have had the benefit while threading a finial
of a full production millwork shop, a foundry, a blacksmith shop, a connection.
talented gold-leaf team, learned historians ~ and a dedicated group
of Veterans! Our guys and gals are making it happen! It is truly amazing.

Left: Black Onyx, rough cut
slabs. Right: Finished Black Onyx
is shaped into the “Veterans Mark”
upon the “Icon of Freedom,” as
seen on the finial.

vV

A Family Connection: Carolyn Rees, Viviana’s cousin and one of our sponsors, is the
niece of former Illinois Senator Thomas Rees. In the early 1900s Senator Rees provided a
$200,000 bequest to build a carillon in Washington Park, Springfield, IL.
The Rees Carillon is one of the world’s largest carillons with 67 bells. Please visit
Carillon-Rees.org

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