The Times

These are just a few of the brass rubbings collected by Gables resident John Butler. Some date as far back as 1289. Photo by DOROTHY STEIN

Medieval history comes alive on the walls of Gables home

By DOROTHY STEIN Staff Writer The walls of John Butler's Coral Gables home are ablaze with medieval history, through a highly specialized art form known as "brass rubbings." Butler has been acquiring these unusual reproductions for the last two years. He now has about three dozen lined up against the living room walls of his sprawling Cocoplum home, awaiting framing and, ultimately, an exhibition. During the Middle Ages, says Butler, who studied history in England and Spain, figures of the deceased were engraved in plate brass and laid as memorials in the churches. The term "brass rubbing" refers to a process used to reproduce exactly the engraved design... Rubbing with a hard wax on paper laid over the brass causes a friction only on the plane surface, revealing the engraved lines against the background. This, he explains, is the same concept as placing a piece of paper over a coin and rubbing with the side of a pencil, whereby the raised portions are reproduced. "A tremendous technique and great patience are needed for this art," he says. "Sometimes the artists have to work right through the night, because the churches are very protective of these rubbings. There's been a certain amount of vandalism, and the brasses have become even more scarce. "Above all, there are just so many, and there won't ever be any more. The churches are afraid of commercialism; if it becomes a lucrative thing, people would come up with a method of duplicating them." All classes of society were commemorated in these monumental brasses: bishops, knights, ladies, city burghers, monks and servants. Whereas the achievements of the aristocracy are recorded in art, literature, architecture and heraldry, little would be known of the middle classes were it not for these memorials... "You can tell a lot about the dress and style of the day from these rubbings," says Butler. "That's one reason why people are so interested in them." The wall space in Butler's 7,000-ft. waterfront home is more than adequate for an exhibition, which Butler expects to hold as soon as he can get them all framed. He doubts, however, that he will be able to keep them all on permanent display, because most are quite large and require a lot of room to be fully appreciated.

NOW OPEN!

NEW PLANT STORE IN THE GROVE FEATURING Beautiful Healthy Plants AT LOWEST PRICES WEEDS & THINGS 2809 BIRD AVE. SUITE C COCONUT GROVE 442-8977 OPEN - 11 A.M.-7 P.M., 7 DAYS A WK.

CUSTOM MADE SLIP COVERS

AS LOW AS SAVE NOW ON DRAPERIES REUPHOLSTERY PLASTIC COVERS $17.99 CHAIRS $24.99 SOFAS INCLUDES FABRIC, ZIPPERS LABOR & ARM COVERS FREE "AT HOME" DECORATOR SERVICE 666-8681 SURE-FIT INDUSTRIES — 29 YEARS SERVING SOUTH FLORIDA

KENDALE LAKES HAS YOUR INCOME TAX MAN

PLUS FULL ACCOUNTING SERVICES BUD RYDER 8701 S.W. 137 AVE. 823-3040

Samovars exhibited at Dadeland

A special selection from the International Collection of Classic Samovars, that spans two centuries of the silversmith's art, goes on public exhibit Tuesday, Feb. 8 at the Dadeland Mall in Miami. The exhibit, culled from a collection valued at $500,000, is on display in the Burdine's Mall through Tuesday, Feb. 15. Included in the unique collection, which is owned by the producers of Samovar 86.8 International Vodka, is a glittering silver tea-maker which once belonged to King George III, British monarch at the time of the American Revolution. The urn, valued for $35,000, bears the royal crest of the king. Because of the twisting serpents that form the handles and spigot the tea-maker has been called the Serpentine Samovar. It is the most valuable piece in the collection. Other samovars in the collection also have an interesting background. One exquisite Russian vessel, for example, is patterned after the original samovar designed by Batasheff in 1570, called the Granoni Samovar. Its wide, fluted style has been traced back to Tula, a small town near Moscow which is generally recognized as Russia's samovar manufacturing center. Highly unusual, too, are two silver samovars shaped like a barrel and an acorn. Samovars such as these were highly favored by the British aristocracy near the turn of the 20th century. Their complete lack of ornamentation sets them apart from the ostentatious style of the Victorian era.

Publix, the place for produce.

Western, 165-size D'Anjou Pears 11 per pkg 59¢ Michigan, Red Delicious Apples | 3-lb. bag 69¢ Fresh English Peas | lb. 39¢ U.S. #1, All Purpose Potatoes | 5-lb. bag 69¢ Western, 165-size Bosc Pears | 8 per pkg. 79¢ Juicy, Western, 200-size Lemons | 12 per pkg. 59¢ Fresh Garlic | 4-oz. bag 39¢ Delicious, 9-size Hawaiian Papaya | each 69¢ Kraft's Grapefruit Juice | 64-oz. bottle 89¢ Fresh, 12-size, Western Cauliflower | head 69¢ In 3-In. Pots, Assorted Tropical Foliage 2 for $1. Fresh Cut Flowers This Week Featuring Daisies | 20 bunch $1.19 Precise Timed Release Plant Food | 3.7-oz. size 99¢ Fresh Broccoli Rappini lb. 59¢ Oscar Mayer's, Meat or Beef Variety Pack Cold Cuts | 12-oz. pkg. $1.29 Wissel of Milwaukee, Braunschweiger or Liverwurst | 10-oz. pkg. 99¢ Ko Fish, White Fish and Pike Frozen Fish Blends | 1-lb. pkg. $1.59 Mrs. Paul's, Frozen, Family Fish Parmesan | 16-oz. pkg. 79¢ Tray Pak, Italian Style, Frozen Breaded Veal Patties | 1-lb. pkg. 89¢ Rich's, Breast and Thigh (Frozen) Turkey Roast with Dressing | 3-lb. roast $4.59 The Deli at Publix Plain, Sesame or Poppy Seed Italian Bread | 3 loaves $1 Oscar Mayer Head Cheese | 1/2-lb. 79¢ Rich's, Catering Style, Oven Roasted Turkey Breast | 1/2-lb. 89¢ Kosher Zion Salami | 1/2-lb. 99¢ Kosher Zion Bologna | 1/2-lb. 89¢ Swift's Premium, Liverwurst or Braunschweiger | lb. $1.39 Fresh Made, Cole Slaw, Macaroni or Potato Salad | lb. 59¢ Italian Sausage Sandwich each 79¢ (ONLY in Deli's with Hot Cases) Quantity Rights Reserved. Dirr's Gold Seal, In Portions (By the Piece) Buffet Hams | lb. $1.79 (Center Cuts... lb. $1.99) Ball Park, Franks, Bratwurst or Knockwurst | 1-lb. pkg. 99¢ Dirr's, Sliced Spiced Luncheon Meat | 1-lb. pkg. 99¢ Rump Portion, Shank Portion or Whole Fresh Pork Hams | lb. $1.09 Fresh Ground Beef | lb. 79¢ Fresh Ground Beef Chuck | lb. 99¢ Swift's U.S.D.A. Choice, 12 to 14 lb. Cry-O-Vac Pack, Boneless, Whole Beef Loin, Top Loin Strip | lb. $1.99 (Formally Called New York Strip) Swift's U.S.D.A. Choice Beef Loin, Top Loin Steaks | lb. $2.49 (Formally Called New York Strip Steaks) Armour's Non-Basted, Quick Frozen, U.S.D.A. Inspected, Any Size Turkeys | lb. 49¢ (Grade A) (Plus 100 S&H Green Stamps With Coupon) Lyke's Sugar Creek, Vacuum Packed Sliced Bacon 1-lb. pkg. 99¢ S&H GREEN STAMPS Swift's Premium Butterball, or Flavor Perfect Butter Basted, Quick Frozen, U.S.D.A. Inspected, Turkeys lb. 59¢ Any Size (Plus 100 S&H Green Stamps With Coupon) (Grade A) Publix The Place for Beef Swift's Premium, ProTen, U.S. Choice, U.S.D.A. Inspected Beef. ProTen BEEF THAT NEEDS LESS COOKING TIME Beef Chuck Blade Steak | lb. 89¢ Beef Chuck Underblade Roast | lb. $1.15 Beef Chuck Boneless Underblade Roast | lb. $1.29 Swift's Premium, ProTen, U.S. Choice, U.S.D.A. Inspected Beef Chuck Blade Roast lb. 79¢ Swift's Premium, Boneless Smoked Daisies | lb. $1.39 Plumrose, Sliced, Cooked Imported Ham | 4-oz. pkg. 79¢ Hebrew National, Knockwurst or Franks | 12-oz. pkg. $1.19 Rich's "The Leaner Wiener" Turkey Franks | 12-oz. pkg. 69¢ 20¢ OFF Folger's Coffee With This Coupon ONLY 1-lb. Can, Regular, Drip, or Electric Perc (Coupon Expires Wed., Feb. 9, 1977) (Vero Beach to Homestead ONLY) Publix (Acct. 1) 20¢ OFF Mazola No Stick With This Coupon ONLY 19-oz. Aerosol Spray For Cooking (Coupon Expires Wed., Feb. 9, 1977) (Vero Beach to Homestead ONLY) Publix (Acct. 11) 15¢ OFF Purina Beef Puppy Chow With This Coupon ONLY 2-lb. Bag (Coupon Expires Wed., Feb. 9, 1977) (Vero Beach to Homestead ONLY) Publix (Acct. 1) 30¢ OFF Lysol Disinfectant Spray With This Coupon ONLY 21-oz. Aerosol (Coupon Expires Wed., Feb. 9, 1977) (Vero Beach to Homestead ONLY) Publix (S) 20¢ OFF Pine-Sol Disinfectant Cleaner With This Coupon ONLY 28-oz. Size (Coupon Expires Wed., Feb. 9, 1977) (Vero Beach to Homestead ONLY) Publix (S) 20¢ OFF Old English Lemon Furniture Polish With This Coupon ONLY 14-oz. Aerosol (Coupon Expires Wed., Feb. 9, 1977) (Vero Beach to Homestead ONLY) Publix (S) 12¢ OFF Skippy Peanut Butter With This Coupon ONLY 18-oz. Chunky or Smooth (Coupon Expires Wed., Feb. 9, 1977) (Vero Beach to Homestead ONLY) Publix (Acct. 1) 10¢ OFF Royal Pudding Desserts With This Coupon ONLY 4-oz. Pkg. Reg. Dark Chocolate, Vanilla Tapioca; 3-oz. Key Lime; 3 1/4-oz. Lemon; 2 3/4-oz. Custard; 4-oz. Chocolate, Butterscotch or Dark Sweet Chocolate (Coupon Expires Wed., Feb. 9, 1977) (Vero Beach to Homestead ONLY) Publix (S) 100 S&H Green Stamps EXTRA WITH THIS COUPON AND PURCHASE OF: Any Size, Grade A, U.S.D.A. Inspected, Quick Frozen Swift's Premium Butterball or Flavor Perfect Butter-Basted Turkeys (Limit One Coupon Per Family, Please) (Coupon Expires Wed., Feb. 9, 1977) (Vero Beach to Homestead ONLY) Publix 100 S&H Green Stamps EXTRA WITH THIS COUPON AND PURCHASE OF: U.S.D.A. Inspected, Quick Frozen, Any Size, Grade A Armour's Non-Basted Turkeys (Coupon Expires Wed., Feb. 9, 1977) (Vero Beach to Homestead ONLY) (Limit One Coupon Per Family, Please) Publix Publix where shopping is a pleasure markets 8680 S.W. 24th St., Westchester | 2270 S.W. 27th Ave. | 9420 S.W. 56th St., Miller Road | 9040 S.W. 107th Ave., Miami | 20711 S. Dixie Hwy. | 11701 S. Dixie Hwy., Suniland | 2551 S. LeJeune Rd., Coral Gables | 1401 Monza Ave., Coral Gables | 9590 Colonial Drive | 3801 W. Flagler St., Miami