Ghost Sign on Lesia Ukrayinka Theater

A few year ago, I came across this ghost sign when only a small part was visible. Fortunately, the rest of the sign was recently liberated: SIECZKARNIE  KULTYWATORY MŁOCARNIE  KIERATY CHAFF-CUTTERS TILLERS THRESHERS HORSE MILLS It seems at some point this space sold farming machinery, though I haven’t been able […]

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Manufacturer’s Marks in Prague

Koubar & Vinklat Manufacturer’s Mark I think this was part of a lock mechanism, maybe for some roller shutters. The top part says “up” an “down” with arrows which way to turn. Hutter & Schrantz Manufacturer’s Mark Hutter & Schrantz is one of the oldest companies in Austria. It was […]

Descriptive Numbers in Prague

Buildings in Prague have two numbers: a descriptive number (číslo popisné) and a reference number (číslo orientační). The descriptive number is unique within one cadastral area. Today these numbers can be found on red plaques, but the original numbers were either painted or engraved onto the buildings or etched onto […]

Water Pumps in Prague

Antique Metal Shutters in Prague

Most of the antique roller shutters that I found were made by the company DUKO, which also made shutters for Mukachevo, thus they likely date from the interwar period. Antique shutters made by other companies. I’ve seen the same lion symbol on shutters in Vienna, Berehovo, and Lviv.

Floodmarks in Prague

Throughout the centuries many disastrous floods struck Prague. In particular, one such flood struck September 2-5, 1890. I came across a few memorial plaques which mark the level reached by the floodwaters. Výška vody  4. září 1890 Water level  4 September 1890

Ghost Signs in Prague

Listy: Prewar Mail Slots

Last night someone stole the antique metal mail slot from my front door and the front door of my neighbor’s apartment. Mine was old but without an inscription, while my neighbor’s had the Polish inscription “Listy” (letters). To see the empty spaces on our doors this morning was quite depressing, […]

Delicateka: Burgers and Antique Roller Shutters

A new burger joint opened up in an Austrian-era building near Lviv’s Rynok Square. It was built as a revenue house by Ukrainian sculptor and architect Mykhailo Makovych in 1912. The following year it also housed a small traders association. Fortunately, when the owners of the new establishment renovated the […]

Galician Culinary Vocabulary

Recently on Facebook, “Пані Стефа” shared a post about Galician cuisine using Galician culinary vocabulary. I’m familiar with many but not all words. Original post found here. Баняк, ринка, миска і тареля в креденсі. Зупа з ляним тістом і росіл з клюсками, налиті кохлею в таріль. Салатка в салятерці. Мізерія […]

Ivan Franko: His Visits to Tsishky and Phenomenal Memory

My great grandmother had the honor of meeting Ivan Franko, who used to visit her aunt and uncle’s library in the village of Tsishky (today Chishky), near Oleskyi Zamok. Her aunt and uncle were Toma Dutkevych, the parish priest and one of the founders of the agricultural organization Silskyi Hospodar, […]