Souvenir
Souvenir
Souvenir

Souvenir

Object number2022.39.8
Datec. 1963
OriginRome, Italy
MediumMetal
Credit LineGift of Arlene Campoli
DescriptionCircular silver metal religious medal with bronze-colored metal border. One side has shallow relief bust portrait of Pope Paul VI facing to the viewer's right and surrounded by text. Other side has shallow relief of Saint Christopher carrying the Christ Child (Jesus). Integral ring at top center with oblong tapered ring through it.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 1.438 x 1.063 x 0.188 in. (3.7 x 2.7 x 0.5 cm)
InscriptionsSide featuring bust of Pope Paul VI has text around the perimeter "PAULUS VI PONT MAX".
Historical NotesReligious medal from Rome, Italy 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.
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