Grande Planter Vase auction begins
During the Grande Ballroom’s rock heyday, there remained in the building furnishings from its 1920’s movie palace inspired past. Amongst these items were carved benches, stained glass, cast plaster corbels, wrought iron railings and light sconces.
There were also a few ceramic kiln-fired Italian garden planters. Each of these 24 inch planters weighed approximately 50 pounds and were situated throughout the promenade and stair landings. According to Russ Gibb, one evening a pair of kids who were too drunk or high, tried to roll one of these planters down the main staircase. They lost control and it was smashed to pieces. Russ found a box and took the pieces home, glued them together and kept plants in it for nearly 50 years.
On my first visit to Russ’ in 2004, I was told this story and we speculated over the coat of arms painted on this sole surviving planter/vase. Was it the crest of the Weitzman family the original Grande owners? The Architect perhaps?
All that was known was that it was original to the building, from 1928. If that was in fact the case, this meant that the planter/vase stood sentry over everyone that passed through the Grande doors or up its stairs. Truly a unique “Holy Grail” piece of Grande Memorabilia.
Photographic evidence reveals the vase on one of the main staircase landings. In an exclusive photo, Grande Light Show artist Clyde Blair is seen seated in an original wooden chair with the planter/vase immediately to his left. The painted vines and one handle of the vase are just visible.
In the Seventies Russ and one of his partners Michael Berry funded a seven figure endowment to fund a Dearborn High School Media Arts program. Russ managed and taught media arts at Dearborn High until his retirement. Since Russ Gibbs’ passing in 2019 his estate executors have been working to help fund scholarships in his name to benefit the programs that he began. These efforts were specified in Mr. Gibbs will and last testament.
In processing his estate items the executors were made aware of the vase and its unique historical significance to the Grande Building and Russ. It was then determined that the piece should be evaluated for auction to benefit the Media Arts Scholarships at the Russ Gibb Digital Media Center for the Arts.
It was concluded that an auction would be held to give the public a chance to own this rare piece. Its intrinsic value as a cracked and re-glued Italian vase with a couple of holes is minimal, yet its value as a rare piece of Grande Ballroom memorabilia is incalculable.
The Grande Vase is available for inspection and bidding starting December first 2021 at Village Antiques 22630 Michigan Ave. Dearborn, Mi. 48124 313-563-1230
The opening bid is $250 and new bids can be submitted in person ONLY, no online or phone bids will be accepted. The Auction will close December 31, 2021 at 11:59 P.M. No shipping. Pickup only.
