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In today's L.A. Times, Bob Pool picks up and runs with Eric Lynxwiler's visiting blogger post from a couple of weeks ago on the terra cota angel that sits in his Arts District loft. The angel was salvaged from the Stiles O. Clements-designed Richfield Building when the Downtown landmark was demolished (ahead of its time!) in 1968. Possible other angel sightings have now come forward, including one that an LA Observed reader remembers seeing down a Silver Lake Boulevard driveway: "We called it the Golden Man when we were kids." From Pool:
Although two of the sculptures were decapitated during removal and several others suffered chipped wings or noses, all 40 were put up for sale in April 1969 by the wrecking company.Most were offered for $100. "It cost us that to tear 'em down," explained Laws. But the one purchased by John Rehak after he read about the sale in The Times was priced at $150 because of its good condition.
Rehak placed the figure in his frontyard and nicknamed it the Golden Boy.
When he decided this year to move to a new home, he contacted Lynxwiler, a graphic designer who is also a well-known local historian and urban anthropologist.
Nice pic of Eric with the story.
Previously on LA Observed:
Calling all Richfield angels
Have you seen any missing Richfield Building angels?