Images(10)

Souvenir

Object number2022.39.7 a-d

Manufacturer Laimp

Retailer Alberto Bartolocci

Datec. 1963

OriginTerni, Italy

MediumMetal; Plastic

Credit LineGift of Arlene Campoli

DescriptionTwo Roman souvenir medals with rounded square marbled blue plastic box. Flat circular gray metal Roman souvenir medal. One side has shallow relief of the She-Wolf suckling the twins Romulus and Remus; text at top and bottom. Other side has shallow relief of the Roman Colosseum with text at top. Integral loop at top center has oblong metal ring through it. Flat circular gray metal Roman souvenir medal. One side has shallow relief of the She-Wolf suckling the twins Romulus and Remus; text at top and bottom. Other side has shallow relief of Saint Peter's Basilica. Integral loop at top center has oblong metal ring through it. DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (a): 1.375 x 0.875 x 0.188 in. (3.5 x 2.2 x 0.5 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (b): 0.938 x 0.625 x 0.188 in. (2.4 x 1.6 x 0.5 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (c-d): 0.813 x 2 x 2 in. (2.1 x 5.1 x 5.1 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (c): 0.563 x 2 x 2 in. (1.4 x 5.1 x 5.1 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (d): 0.438 x 2 x 2 in. (1.1 x 5.1 x 5.1 cm)
Inscriptions(a)
Romulus and Remus side has text at top "ROMA" and bottom "SPQR".

Colosseum side has text at top "IL COLOSSEO".

(b)
Romulus and Remus side has text at top "ROMA" and bottom "SPQR".
Marks(c-d)
Inside each component has raised text at center "Laimp".

(d)
Blue printed text on top face "Oreficeria Orologeria / Alberto Bartolocci / Corso Tacito, 87 / Tel. 40.104 TERNI".
Historical NotesRoman medals purchased by Sam Campoli in Terni, Italy. 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 Sam Campoli

Related institution United States Steel Corporation

Subjects