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| The Mormon Temple Brass Buckle from The Great American Buckle Collection produced by Heritage Mint for First Security Corporation 50th Anniversary 1978 |
A collection of brass belt buckles dad had tucked away with his leather tool working kit. Never used. (Except the one on the belt that was mine as a child. He also gave one to each of my siblings.) There is some oxidation on a few of them that has created a beautiful natural patina.
The buckles were offered by First Security Corporation to celebrate its 50th anniversary and were bought outright or were given as a premium for new or add-on deposits. The program ran for seven-months and reportedly created in excess of $100 million in new deposits.
"These serially numbered belt buckles were designed and sculptured by well known American artists. The buckles were cast in solid brass by the age-old sand-mold process, slow and tedious, which was popular in American foundries during the 1800s. They were then individually hand finished and polished to achieve a fine jewelry finish." (From pamphlet with buckle)
They each came in a leather satchel with a registration card and information about the piece.
The Process
"Solid Brass - Beautiful buckles that feature deep sculptured relief and three-dimensional styling. A Great Gift Idea!
The master sculpture has been created with the same artistic skill and meticulous detailing that goes into the making of coins designated for minting. The hand cast original is duplicated in sub-masters used to form the sand molds.
Molten brass, heated to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit in small crucibles, is pouted into the sand molds. Then each buckle is individually removed from the mold, smoothed and finished in 3 handwork steps, to impart the smooth,lustrous look that gives a living effect to the finished buckle.
Time consuming processes indeed, but the only way to achieve the magnificent look, feel and quality that reflects the authenticity of the two-centuries old method used in the making of the belt buckles of that period." (From pamphlet with buckle)
The Mormon Temple Buckle
"The world famous Salt Lake Mormon Temple is the most prominent building in Utah and is the subject for a limited edition of belt buckles. This grand edifice is a tribute to the spirit of the early pioneers who hauled huge granite blocks from Cottonwood Canyon by ox teams and labored on the construction from 1853 to 1893. First Security Corporation commemorates fifty years of service to Utah with this limited edition buckle; a handsome reminder of the industry of the people of the Intermountain West." (From pamphlet with buckle)
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| The Utah Golden Spike Brass Buckle from The Great American Buckle Collection produced by Heritage Mint for First Security Corporation 50th Anniversary 1978 |
The Golden Spike Buckle
"To observe one of the most significant events in American railroad history, First Security commissioned Heritage Mint, Ltd to portray this memorable event that forged the way for the development of the intermountain region. The driving of the Golden Spike at Promontory Point on May 10, 1869 signified the joining of the transcontinental railroad system. This limited edition buckle honors that moment in history and is part of the Utah buckle collection in celebration of fifty years of service to the area by First Security Corporation." (From pamphlet with buckle)
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| The Utah State Seal Brass Buckle from The Great American Buckle Collection produced by Heritage Mint for First Security Corporation 50th Anniversary 1978 |
The Utah State Seal Buckle
"The Utah State seal buckle was commissioned by First Security Corporation as a tribute to Utah and its people. Designed by Harry Edwards, the seal was officially adopted by the first session of the Utah legislature on April 3, 1896, the year Utah was granted statehood. The seal incorporates the American Eagle as a symbol of protection in peace and war, the beehive connotes industry and is the state symbol. 1847 is the year of the arrival of the first pioneers into the Great Salt Lake Valley." (From pamphlet with buckle)
