Winkle Terra Cotta Co. sample block

Object/Artifact

-

National Building Arts Center

Front of Winkle Terra Cotta Co. sample block: Front view of a small, tan, rectangular terra cotta sample with etched lettering and "G40G(?)" written in black marker denoting the sample's number
Front of Winkle Terra Cotta Co. sample block

Front view of a small, tan, rectangular terra cotta sample with etched lettering and "G40G(?)" written in black marker denoting the sample's number

Name/Title

Winkle Terra Cotta Co. sample block

Description

A small, tan, rectangular terra cotta sample from the Winkle Terra Cotta Co., marked with its sample number, written in black marker, and the location of the company.

Use

Promotional object, used for the purpose of advertising the Winkle Terra Cotta Co., and to deliver samples of their work to potential customers/clients.

Collection

Promotional object displays

Made/Created

Manufacturer

The Winkle Terra Cotta Co.

Time Period

19th Century, 20th Century

Place

City

St. Louis

State/Province

Missouri

Country

United States of America

Continent

North America

Notes

The company began as the Joseph Winkle Terra Cotta works, but in 1889, the business was incorporated under the title of The Winkle Terra Cotta Co. Thus, the sample must be from after 1889.

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Location

Front of block, underneath "sample no."

Transcription

"104(?)RK"

Language

English

Material/Technique

Etched

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Sample, Sales

Nomenclature Class

Merchandising T&E

Nomenclature Category

Category 05: Tools & Equipment for Science & Technology

LOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials

Terra-cotta

Dimensions

Height

6.3 cm

Width

11.3 cm

Depth

1.4 cm

Parts

Count

1

Parts

Terra cotta block

Material

terra cotta

Colors

Color

Tan, White

Color Notes

Tan on the front, with white residual glaze or adhesive on the back.

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Condition Type

Residue, Chip / Chipping

Date Examined

Jul 25, 2026

Examined By

Elena Marshall

Surface

The surface on the back of the sample has some white residue, likely from adhesive or glaze, and the corners on the front have some chipping.

Research Notes

Research Type

Researcher

Person

Elena Marshall

Date

Jul 24, 2026

Web Links and URLs

Article taken from a 1904 edition of the journal "Brick" about the Winkle Terra Cotta Co.

Notes

(See Made/Created)

Create Date

July 24, 2026

Update Date

July 25, 2026