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Seattle Post-Intelligencer Globe, Seattle, WA, 1959
A spectacular giant turquoise globe makes this simple form-follows function-mid-century modern building look very important. Like it should be world headquarters for something. And it is, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer Newspaper. The slogan, “It’s in the P.I.,“ spelled out in lipstick red letters that spin around the equator. A majestic golden eagle is perched on the North Pole. Everything on the sign is lined in neon making it even more breathtaking after the sun goes down.
The globe was the picture perfect focal point and crowing touch from the day it was lifted in place by two cranes in 1948. It is to the building what a cherry is to an ice cream sundae. The globe easily stands out against a boxy high-rise that can’t make up its mind if it wants to be chocolate or vanilla. Across the street at Charles’ Cadillac Square, the lipstick red sign on the corner is more complimentary than competitive. 1956 and 1957 Cadillacs wait on the corner for a buyer to drive them away.
While I was in Seattle a few months ago I saw this globe on top of a building. Of course, I was awestruck as I drove by it on the highway. But, it wasn’t this building it was on. It was on a very 1980s looking building. That led me to believe that the globe was also from the 80s. Then last week while I was in Ventura, CA, hunting for vintage slides in the attic of an old photography store, I found this slide. I gasped! Immediately I recognized the globe as the same one that I had seen in Seattle but here it was sitting on a mid-century building. I was puzzled until seconds later when after a couple of Google clicks I found out it was moved from the original building when the newspaper relocated in 1986. Thank you to all of the local preservationists that worked with the fine folks at the “P.I.” to move it to the new location and not trash it.
In the realm of iconic space age landmarks this globe is one of the absolute best in the country. But being in the same city as the world’s greatest space age icon, the Space Needle, makes it difficult for this timeless timeless classic
Americana treasure to get nearly the respect it deserves.
Here’s to the giant P.I. Globe, the people that saved it and YOU!
Posted Thursday, February 5th, 2009 under Slide of the Week.
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This is a very timely entry! The P-I went out of business last month, and will be closing up shop this spring. One of the questions floating around is, what’s going to happen to the globe? Although I don’t think we should worry; the Seattle museum (MOHAI) has a good track record of taking in homeless signs like this, so I think it will be safe and on display somewhere. They might have to change the lettering to “It Was In The P-I”, though.
This begs the question: What happened to the original building?
They may have to save it again. That paper is very close to going out of business. It is for sale at the moment but slated to close in early March if no buyer steps up.
Good detective work. Nice globe. Even nicer front line at Charles Cadillac.
Later,
Ray in CT
This picture is especially poignant now that the Seattle Post-Intelligencer is in danger of folding, or at the very least going web-only.
Eric Myers
NY, NY
The fate of the Seattle PI is rather shaky at the moment as it is up for sale by its owners, The Hearst Corp. The fate of the iconic sign is, hopefully, another story and can be preserved, even if the paper cannot find itself a buyer.
I’m a sucker for anything with Cadillac’s in it….thanks for the pic..only wished I could see more of the caddies! Now that’s when a Caddie was a Caddie!!
This is a neat picture. It reminds me of The Daily Planet in Metropolis in Superman.
I was thinking the same thing as Tim–Superman.
How fantastic!This pic has it all!Great old Caddy, great sunny weather and,above all,a giant neon lettered blue/red ball!!Looks like the old Universal pictures ball you see in those old movies, only that one revolved round-and-around…do you know if this one does the same thing, Charles? Now, that would be something!Either way,this pic truly typifies space-age advertising ginch (as in ginchy)!!
Picture is looking north towards the intersection of 6th and Battery. Group Health Cooperative was the most recent occupant. Building is now up for rent. Was inside during the Nisqually. Fun ride.
Charles
That’s the Grovesner House behind the P-I. When it was built in the early 1950s by Teamster Union boss Dave Beck it was one of the “coolest” addresses in Seattle. As for the chocolate and vanilla indecision, think of it as a cafe latte with the multi-tinted vertical banding arranged by a Seattle Barista.
Paul