Estate Pittsburgh Civic Auditorium Charm Vintage 925 Sterling Silver Arena Pendant Mechanical Opens Mother's Day

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Surprise your favorite Pittsburgh fan (or treat yourself) with this fun charm!

This exquisite solid sterling silver charm depicts the Pittsburgh Civic Auditorium. The dome opens to reveal the arena inside. The pendant is 25.88 millimeters (just over 1 inch) long, including the bail, by 17.91 millimeters (just over 11/16 inch) in diameter and weighs 8.21 grams. This charm is stamped WELLS STER. Excellent estate condition. Chain sold separately.

The Civic Auditorium, later the Civic Arena and Mellon Arena, was an arena located in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Constructed in 1961 for use by the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (CLO), it was the brainchild of department store owner Edgar J. Kaufmann. It was the first retractable roof major-sports venue in the world, covering 170,000 square feet (16,000 m2), constructed with nearly 3,000 tons of Pittsburgh steel and supported solely by a massive 260-foot (79 m) long cantilevered arm on the exterior. Even though it was designed and engineered as a retractable-roof dome, the operating cost and repairs to the hydraulic jacks halted all full retractions after 1995, and the roof stayed permanently closed after 2001. The first roof opening was during a July 4, 1962 Carol Burnett show to which she exclaimed "Ladies and Gentlemen...I present the sky!"

The Civic Arena hosted numerous concerts, rallies, and roller derbies as well as contests in hockey, basketball, pro tennis, boxing, wrestling, lacrosse, football, ice skating, and soccer. The structure was used as the backdrop for several major Hollywood films, most prominently Sudden Death in 1995. Prior to its demise, it was known as Mellon Arena, named for Mellon Financial, specifically American businessman and 49th Secretary of the Treasury Andrew W. Mellon, which purchased the naming rights in 1999.

The Civic Arena closed on June 26, 2010. The former Mellon naming rights expired soon after, and the Penguins and all other events moved across the street to the new Consol Energy Center – now PPG Paints Arena. After various groups declined historic status for the venue, it was demolished between September 2011 – March 2012.

From the estate of the late Mary Kate “Kay” Harris Gaylean of Burlington, North Carolina.

We are listing several pieces of estate jewelry, along with other items fresh from fine North Carolina estates. We are happy to combine shipping.

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I gladly accept returns

Just contact me within: 14 days of delivery

Ship items back to me within: 30 days of delivery

I don't accept exchanges or cancellations

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The following items can't be returned or exchanged

Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:

  • Custom or personalized orders
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  • Digital downloads
  • Intimate items (for health/hygiene reasons)
  • Items on sale

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Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the item I receive look exactly like the photographs in the listing?

You will receive exactly the item pictured, minus any display props, measuring tools (such as rulers and scales), measurement comparison items (such as coins), and anything explicitly excluded in the text. Photos are likely not actual size; please see item description for dimensions. If there is a defect not discernible in the pictures, it will be included in the text. If there is a concern or doubt, please ask prior to purchase. Remember that color is a very tricky thing to transmit electronically. There are many variables, including lighting, background, physical filters, digital filters, the capabilities of the monitor on which the image is displayed, and the color perception of the viewer.

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We purchase our items primarily at auctions and estate sales.

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Can you send me a photo of an item on a live model?

Generally, no. I'm a one-woman operation and I don't have any live models available. I take great effort to photograph items on measuring devices such as ring mandrels, rulers in millimeters and inches, and scales. I also offer returns, so that if your item is not exactly what you want, you are welcome to return it for a refund.

Do you offer layaway?

I offer layaway for items over $300. You may make up to 3 monthly payments for a handling fee of $5. A 10% cancellation fee will be charged if you cancel the order. No discounts apply.

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