Images(6)

Souvenir

Object number2022.39.6 a,b

Datec. 1963

OriginRome, Italy

MediumMetal; Enamel

Credit LineGift of Arlene Campoli

DescriptionTwo Miraculous Medal charms. Miraculous Medal cross-shaped charm. Flat ornate silver metal cross with blue-green and blue-gray enamel on front. Front features Mary surrounded by prayer text. Reverse is silver metal with cross and bar surmounted by letter "M" and surrounded by two hearts and twelve stars. Metal ring through top loop. Heart-shaped tab charm. Two silver metal heart shapes connected by two squared arched crossbars at top. One side has Miraculous Medal Mary surrounded by prayer text inside oval flanked by turquoise enamel background. Other side has bust of Jesus Christ in oval flanked by red enamel background.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (a): 22.75 x 1.313 x 0.25 in. (57.8 x 3.3 x 0.6 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (b - closed): 1.25 x 2.75 x 3 in. (3.2 x 7 x 7.6 cm)
Inscriptions(a)
Front has Miraculous Medal prayer text surrounding figure of Mary.

Reverse has letter "M" at center.

(b)
Side with Mary figure has Miraculous Medal prayer text surrounding figure.
Historical NotesReligious souvenirs from the Roman catacombs purchased by Sam Campoli for his daughters Geraldine and Cathie. Sam Campoli was one of eleven children born to Giovanni “Jon” and Maria Campoli (originally spelled Camipoli), who immigrated from Reggio Emilia in the region of Emilia-Romagna to Buena Vista, Pa. He was the first-American born child in the family. The Campoli’s lived in a company town (otherwise known as a coal patch) and they shared housing with another Northern Italian family. They moved to Blythedale in the late 1920s. Sam’s first job at U.S. Steel was as a laborer at Duquesne Works in the early 1930s; by late 1959, he was in management in the electric furnace department making stainless steel. In 1963, Campoli was sent by U.S. Steel to Terni, Italy to teach colleagues how to make stainless steel; he was gifted with an engraved ingot at the end of his foreign service. During his time in Italy, he visited near-by Rome, where he picked up souvenirs for his family: a rosary from the Vatican for his wife Florence Minkus Campoli, various saints medals from the Roman catacombs for his daughters Geraldine and Cathie, and an embroidered dress for his youngest daughter Arlene. Many of these items are religious in nature, which is notable for Campoli was non-religious and mentioned his parents' sentiments about the Catholic church not supporting peasants in Italy. He also picked up some medals from a jewelry store in Terni. Campoli never missed a day of work, retiring after 42 years as General Turn Foreman.

Previous owner Geraldine Campoli

Previous owner Cathie Ellen Donohoe

Related person Sam Campoli

Related institution United States Steel Corporation

Related person Jesus Christ

Related person Mary

Subjects