The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-07-05
BAS RELIEFS ATTRACT NATIONAL INTERESTI
Washington Works On Decorations For
 New Post Office
Termed "Most Extraordinary and Recites Historical Development of Mail Service-Creations of Ncken von Post T0tten

Day after day as the exterior of F9nfsfbury's beautiful new post of- Sea draws to q completion the azmber of comments of apprecia- ffon voiced by spectators grows not 0<ly greater in number, but warm <r in spirit. But if natives of this civ and visitors are thrilled with what 10 completed to date they will be interested and eager to know that greater masterpieces of work mnnship are about to be executed. Particularly will the bas reliefs of f1le historical development of the U. s. mail service merit the gaze pf those who have an eye TOT seatity.
 The reiiefs are attracting nation vide attention owing to the fact that they will be the work of Vtck- efl von Post Totten.
 one of art writers of paper of matfonal prominence commenting vfi the bas reiiefs in preparation penned a splendid story which ap- Deared yesterday. It indicates s6methinR of what Waterburians may expect. It also serves notice that Waterbury's municipal build fnk and railroad station which have gained nationwide promi- nence will have vigorous cofn- betitor for attention and comments h the future. .
 A most extraordinary piece lof work is nearing completion in Washington. It is the series of bas rsiiefs for the new post office biii1dinR at Waterbury, Coru. The has reiiefs illustrate the story of lhe United states mall from the rhrtiest day to the present. These sculptures by Vicken von Post rotten are strikingly original; hUthing else has been done like then,. They really make a new point of view in the decoration of Fsderal buildings, one that means freedom from the formulas and cut and dried work that unfortu- hately mars much of the work in eur buildings.
 The story is dramatically told in thirteen panels. There is romance md idealism in the story of mans conquest of the forces of nature to bring about the closer communica- lion. The first panel is of sound over the Earth" and is symbolic ally treated. Then comes the Let ter Pigeons" the first carriers of messages from man to man. This is q delightfully."- decorative panel. The birds are shown in flight and the artist has treated the subject In . fascinating manner. Then comes the Indian Runner" The means of communication is not so swift, but more sure. when 1t changes from birds to man. The fieet footed runner is shown in a stylixed design, his body forming the motive of the panel.
 Tie Pony Express" has been lauded in romance and poetry. Many are the stories of the bravery of horse and rider who went through storm and perils to deliv- CTS the precious messages and packages of Uncle Sans mall. The picturesque life in the west is drafnatixed more emphatically in the "Stage Coach" of frontier days, when the drivers had often to rush through the fire of brigands of the wAbtefn variety Indians or the mora deadly desperadoes. Then comes the transportation of the Waterways on the Great Lakes and the ocean In the Sail Boat and later the fully equipped steamer. steam applied to land makes It's appearance in the early Train" and the latter Fast Express" The series culminates in "rhe Flying Machine.
 Throughout the story of the ev- oIution of mans conquest of the forces of transportation the man. fief of the artists presentation is in harmony with the art of to-day. There Is nothing of the realistic, the old-fashioned photographic way of modelling. Instead the sculptor has employed the stylized flat manner which harmonizes well with the building. It Is truly ar-