I'm looking at refinancing via the same bank I have my mortgage with. Via the phone, they told me I do not have to pay mortgage tax, but the documents said other wise, so some clarification from them is due.

Posted by: gates_ave at September 9, 2008 11:57 AM in response to Mortgage Tax on a Refinance

Good idea, i got the business number and I'll give them a call. Their zone/block in Manufacturing, bordering my block on the left which is all Residential.
Thanks all for the replies.

Posted by: gates_ave at September 4, 2008 11:07 AM in response to loud-beep on backing up

Good idea, i got the business number and I'll give them a call. Their zone/block in Manufacturing, bordering my block on the left which is all Residential.
Thanks all for the replies.

Posted by: gates_ave at September 4, 2008 11:07 AM in response to loud-beep on backing up

Thanks for the reply. I wonder if starting at 4:30 AM is allowed, seems to early.

Posted by: gates_ave at September 3, 2008 10:40 AM in response to loud-beep on backing up

Yes, i just did a search out of curiosity and they are all over for a lot of $$.
I'm sure the city tossed a number of them in renovations etc, but they are still used in the schools and given the high prices on the web, I think selling them will encourage people to steel them. I hope the city realizes the historical and material value of them before all of them are gone from the old buildings.

It's just a pair of door nobs and there's a lot more material losses in schools due to theft on educatinal materials. However, if they are stolen, it is wrong and sad. Not sure if i can put them in my old house, I will feel guilty since i know how hard and how much theft is done in the buildings.
They are trully beatiful when you see them in person.

ps. found this link:

http://curbed.com/archives/2006/03/21/guilty_pleasures_public_school_knobs_edition.php

Owning the knob also makes me feel a bit guilty. In many cases, these have been stolen from schools over the past twenty or thirty years, as they can have a rather high antique value. Now, in addition to nostalgia, I can't help but wonder who removed it from the school in the first place.

Posted by: gates_ave at July 9, 2008 8:36 PM in response to Vintage Brass Public School Doorknobs

no accusations from my part, as maybe the school tossed them out, but the first thing it came to my mind when i saw them was stolen!

Also, I visit several schools in NYC and there's a pair of them in one of the older schools I know in Williamsburg. They are in the bathroom door of the main office.

i hope these where not taken in an illegal way. Schools have limited resources these days.

Posted by: gates_ave at July 9, 2008 8:09 PM in response to Vintage Brass Public School Doorknobs

Forgot to say, that bushwick is big and it changes for the worse the further east you go. I lived in dekalb / Myrtle and b/t Woodhool hospital and the projects.

Posted by: gates_ave at July 3, 2008 2:20 PM in response to Bushwick (safe?)

Forgot to say, that bushwick is big and it changes for the worse the further east you go. I lived in dekalb / Myrtle and b/t Woodhool hospital and the projects.

Posted by: gates_ave at July 3, 2008 2:20 PM in response to Bushwick (safe?)

I lived in Bushwick for 6-7 years, moved 2 years ago. As a female, I lived with female roomates for 3 years and another 3 years with my husband. I had no issues at all.
Now i live in ridgewood, queens, just accross the border. The difference is that ridgewood is very clean (no rats/roaches), 10-15 mins extra commute time (50 mins to mid-town - 30-40 mis to 14 st.), and it is very family oriented, many people own their own houses.
If I could have keep my rental in Bushwick I would have stay longer as it was below market rate at the time.

Posted by: gates_ave at July 3, 2008 2:18 PM in response to Bushwick (safe?)

Thanks all again for all the helpful tips.

Posted by: gates_ave at June 18, 2008 10:21 PM in response to Electric circuits per room

Thanks for the advice.
We have 5 lines metal clad bx. One skinny galvanized tube that seems to go to the back. 8 breakers 3@20 amp. We will do the isolation test, but we are also thinking about getting an electrician to provide an evaluation. thanks again.

Posted by: gates_ave at June 18, 2008 8:27 PM in response to Electric circuits per room

there used to be many things, including huge wooden clocks and beautiful flip up wooden desks. these things used to be tossed away in the street. we used to not care about preservation, remember the old penn station. why are people on this website so ignorant to think that there was something illegal involved in someone's possession of these door knobs.

Posted by: guest at July 10, 2008 5:44 PM in response to Vintage Brass Public School Doorknobs

I really doubt there are roving bands of fourth graders stripping vintage fixtures from the city's schools. I would imagine that iPods or laptops are far more marketable. The knobs are great, repro or not. I agree with the guest who reminded us of how little preservation of such things happened not too long ago.

Posted by: bheightsejp at July 10, 2008 7:58 PM in response to Vintage Brass Public School Doorknobs

How much are you willing to bet Bond (James?). I'll lay 5 to 2 they are original and not repros. Bring them down to Brooklyn Flea on the 20th and I'll buy both sets from you for the $40.00. Then I'll wager my $50.00 against Bond's $20.00 that they are original. Fred from Silver Fox

Posted by: guest at July 10, 2008 9:23 PM in response to Vintage Brass Public School Doorknobs

I work in a public high school and our school was newly renovated...they took all the antiques such as these doorknobs and beautiful brass pier mirrors and stored them in the basement. Makes me think I should go in the basement in September and see what I can get!

Posted by: guest at July 10, 2008 9:36 PM in response to Vintage Brass Public School Doorknobs

Hey Fred, I'll take that bet, but before you put your money where your mouth is, you might want to check out Designjournalmag.com.

Posted by: Bond at July 10, 2008 9:37 PM in response to Vintage Brass Public School Doorknobs

to prevent unlawful possession of these doorknobs, many custodial staff were instructed to file away some of the facing. If the faces were filed away, they were taken without permission but, they would have been thrown out anyway.

Posted by: guest at July 11, 2008 3:05 PM in response to Vintage Brass Public School Doorknobs

Actually the verdigris in the crevices makes sense as it's the oxidation of the copper. the high points of the design are constantly worn clean from handling but the crevices not so much.

Posted by: also guest at July 11, 2008 3:24 PM in response to Vintage Brass Public School Doorknobs

Yep, it would make sensem, and anyone looking to try a fool someone would keep that in mind. The problem is that brass turns a chocolate brown with age, and only after a looooong time, and lots of exposure to moisture do you get verdigris. There is a lack of brown patina in the grooves, which makes me think that it's probably a chemical patina.
Next time you're taking a walk through the neighborhood, look at the exterior door knobs and see if you see any with verdigris. These are door knobs that are exposed to the elements everyday and they don't have it, it's really doubtful that an indoor knob would, and it certainly would have the first stages of oxidation, which would be the brown color, in the crevices as a poster pointed out.
The problem with all this is that I'm probably coming across as snarky and somehow trying to cast aspersions on the original poster, which I'm not.I just like to try and figure things like this out, along with the whole thought process involved.
The knobs are cool,and she is asking a very resonable price.

Posted by: Bond at July 11, 2008 7:15 PM in response to Vintage Brass Public School Doorknobs

Despite being branded as a Fence and as a seller of Repros. I have sold these so please stop emailing. Bond, these are real, the pic is not, but rather a pic of some that were on ebay. This was done out of ease not dishonestly.

Posted by: susanp at July 14, 2008 12:57 PM in response to Vintage Brass Public School Doorknobs

I'm a female and when i checked out the area two years ago, I did feel a little wary, but two years later, you'll be amazed how quickly things have changed! Yes, more young professionals are making the move out here. i feel safe and the neighbors are all really nice and has a very family oriented feel.

I think it is just the stigma that bushwick has carried for so many years and it's hard to get rid of. However, in time I think Bushwick will be just as hip as its sister, williamsburg. After all...it sooo close to the city! :)

Posted by: poshnewyork at July 20, 2008 2:42 PM in response to Bushwick (safe?)