Whether royal relics or ordinary pavers, collectors on quest for brick treasures

The death of Queen Elizabeth II has focused attention on monarch treasures, including certain china patterns, coronation tankards, King George VI coins and books about royal souvenirs.

There’s a certain breed of collectors, however, who look for a nontraditional, heavier brick and mortar souvenir. Embossed bricks, such as the rare QE II brick from the 1990s, are now gaining attention as a must-have.

Dedicated brick collectors today are on the hunt for this rare brick, and Oklahomans certainly are among the thousands of collectors worldwide hoping to find one.

Russell Spencer, of the UK, posted a photo of one of the bricks on the Brick Collectors Facebook (FB) page. Spencer said his construction work enables him to “come across odd bricks here and there” and he's able to share them with FB followers.

However, he does not own the QE II brick in the photo. Another collector, however, said he found one recently.

Self-identified Oklahoma brick collectors reside in Tulsa, Guthrie, Muskogee, Claremore and in other locations across our great state.

There’s an Oklahoma chapter of the International Brick Collectors Association that provides opportunities for collectors to share their experiences and trade their finds.

While the QE II brick may be a hot commodity in the wild, collectors are probably pleased with just about any 6-pound, 8-ounce brick treasure they come across.

Lael Marshall, an artist in New York, said she pulled a small but beautiful collection of named bricks from a neighbor’s Dumpster.

“I don’t know the history of them. Just tried to salvage some because there are so beautiful,” she said, adding she built a mini-patio of the bricks “to enjoy looking at them.”

Her bricks include once embossed with Rose, which she uses as a coaster at night for a glass of rosé wine.

Beyond Dumpster diving, collectible bricks can be found in construction rubbish, railroad yards and at cemeteries.

Sometimes the search can be a real challenge. One collector hoped to unearth a brick after a building collapse. Too late. The city had cordoned off the rubble with caution police tape.

The obsession causes drivers to slam on the brakes in heavy traffic or to climb down into gullies on highways to retrieve a treasure.

One Tulsan said she hunted for bricks for years while driving around town on business.

One treasure in her collection was a Tulsa brick with a backward ‘S’ in the embossed name.

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Research indicates that some collectible bricks have built our economy, literally.

It’s said an A.P. Green Empire embossed brick produced by the millions helped bring jobs to a flat Missouri economy.

Bricks tell stories about our communities and capture historic life experiences.

Collectors want bricks from their hometown, ones with names of cities that no longer exist and those depicting birthplaces. Some collectors needlepoint colorful covers to protect bricks used as door stops.

The University of Arkansas built a walkway through campus with bricks naming graduates and dates. Museums raise funds selling bricks inscribed with donor names.

The internet cites brick references that today are part of our vocabulary. The list includes:

  • Yellow Brick Road

  • Throw a brick at the television

  • Dumb as a brick

  • Build yourself brick-by-brick

  • The brick walls are there for a reason.

The revered, embossed QE II brick may be difficult to find, but it’s certainly valuable today.

Andrea Chancellor
Andrea Chancellor

Andrea Chancellor has more than 20 years in newspaper and magazine journalism, and 20 years in corporate public relations. 

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Leaving no stone unturned in quest for bricks fit for a queen