Parma Antonio & Figli, Milan

[wylk]

I found a "new" vault door in an article about Parma Antonio & Figli in Milan, Italy (http://www.parmasicurezza.it/ and http://translate.google.com/translat...t/&prev=search for English). I discovered this via an article in Monocle magazine (http://monocle.com, http://monocle.com/magazine/issues/50/a-silver-lining/) but you either have to buy the article or subscribe to read it. At least the images can be viewed. I assume this is the same Parma we have discussed in the past. The most interesting images deal with a large round door that probably dates to the early 20th century:



Some interesting points:

The door incorporates two thin copper bands, reminiscent of Mosler Donsteel doors. This means one must be careful when tempted to ID a door as Mosler merely via copper bands, though I haven't found a Mosler with this pattern of two thin bands.

The glass panels are laid out in a pattern that looks just like Remington and Sherman doors.

The pressure-bar handwheel has etched lettering in the same style as Mosler.

The hinge-side pressure-bar anchor is rather distinctive, an aid in identifying the maker.

In the second image it looks like there is some sort of doorway in the background but with a mirror.

The outer room is rather dismal-looking, metal plates with rivets.

I'm not sure about where this door is. It's described as "Vault at Cariplo Bank" which might be the building where the Cariplo Foundation now resides.

[VaultDoors]

Nice find! I recently discovered a couple combo viewer vaults -

Sun Life Assurance Co. in Montreal:


National Commercial Bank & Trust in NY:

[Huw Eastwood]

Yes it's the same company Parma. Don't know how many they made of these doors but there's another on their website under the 'Tradizione' section. It looks the same type and you can make out the two thin bands on the door in the black and white photo.

I've got a couple more but they look to be of the same one you posted with the grim rivetted sheeting on the walls


Regarding the unusual pressure bars- they apparently went their own route with these and developed systems capable of immense forcing pressure. They were the first to achieve a certain level of door pressure but how much it was escapes me now- the Banco Chiavari door they made in 1929 is extremely impressive.

Never seen one of their vaults but their freestanding safes are very distinctive designs and we saw loads in jewellers shops and windows when on holiday in Italy in the 1990s.

[wylk]

National Commercial Bank & Trust in NY:

Notice the impression of the handwheel in the wall. They need a doorstop! (Topic of discussion in another thread).

Do you have an address/location for any of these buildings (other than MN Fed at 510 Marquette, Minneapolis)?

[wylk]

A nice Mosler door on Champs Elysees, a Virgin Megastore in a former bank. I agree, this looks unusual for the period. The handrails in particular look more contemporary than the door. I think you're right, the original dropped floor and platforms were probably removed during conversion from a bank.

Also interesting is finding a Mosler door on another continent. Why isn't it Fichet for example? Shipping and service must have been at least awkward.

Virgin Megastore France went bankrupt and dissolved in June 2013 (Wikipedia). The space now seems to be a Monoprix retail store (Google Earth).

[VaultDoors]

National Commercial Bank & Trust in NY:

This picture is from an article by Frederick S. Holmes titled 'Vault Protection' in The Architectural Forum, 1923 - formerly Pencil Points.

[VaultDoors]

...formerly Pencil Points.

Correction - Progressive Architecture magazine was formerly Pencil Points magazine.

[wylk]

A professional restoration on the door would be nice but is probably out of range of the owner's budget.

[VaultDoors]

There are several locations for the Sun Life Assurance Co. in Montreal but I'm not which one houses that vault.

The National Commercial Bank & Trust is in downtown Albany. Its name changed to Key Bank at one point and it is now Sixty State Place: http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/ne...-downtown.html

[wylk]

I believe the Sun Life Montreal building is at 1155 Rue Metcalfe (http://www.emporis.com/buildings/112...ontreal-canada). The stated weight of 427 tons must include the entire vault, not just the door and frame.