Wright presents Architectural Artifacts, Inc. 30 Years, an auction celebrating the nation’s preeminent source for architectural fragments and exceptional treasures.

Founded in 1987 by Stuart Grannen, Architectural Artifacts, Inc. has become a Chicago institution offering an eclectic mix of objects from around the world and fragments of the city’s most important buildings. The store is a must-visit Chicago destination for architectural enthusiasts and collectors alike. From important remnants and remains of some of Chicago’s greatest architecture to unusual and fascinating objects from around the globe, the eclectic collection speaks to Grannen’s distinct and interesting eye, a selection of which will be offered at auction.

When it opened, Architectural Artifacts, Inc. occupied a 3,000 square-foot space on Chicago’s north side. At the time, the city was undergoing massive transformations, and the previous decades brought the demolition of some of Chicago’s most important historic buildings and private homes. Grannen began salvaging and collecting architectural fragments and ornamentation, valuing each piece as a snapshot of a time and place, imbued with history. He broadened his interests on a global level and traveled the world for objects that interested him, exemplified great craftsmanship, told a story, or that were simply, cool. By 1992 his space was at capacity, and Grannen purchased a 30,000 square-foot plastics molding factory just a few blocks north. Twenty five years later, Grannen and his team have amassed a vast collection of objects and pedigreed architectural fragments, a selection of which will be offered at auction.

Composed of approximately 120 lots, the auction will feature highlights of Architectural Artifacts, Inc.’s 30 year history. Standout items include a T-Plate by Louis Sullivan from the Chicago Stock exchange ($30,000–$40,000), a pair of light fixtures designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for the Francis W. Little House ($7,000–$9,000), an early fire alarm telegraph system from the 1890s ($15,000-$20,000), a massive studded safe from 18th Century Italy ($10,000–$15,000) and a monumental mural by Siegfried Reinhardt from the Rand McNally headquarters ($15,000–$20,000).