bric-a-brac: Dist No. 1, 1983 N.A.M.E. Rochester

In the late 1970s, Gil and Marge Gudgel of Henrietta, New York, began working in miniatures--introducing to the hobby the 1-inch-equals-144-inches (1/144-inch) scale that became their trademark. In 1979, the Gudgels first made 750 of these small-scale houses as favors for miniaturists who attended a convention in Boston. Those 750 collectors, and others who saw the Gudgels's work, asked for more, and the couple, with help from their three adult children, continued to produce limited editions of their buildings for several years. Many of the houses they created contained 200 or more separate pieces, each needing sanding and painting. Each house was fully assembled into two pieces so that the house slides apart to reveal the interior rooms. The Gudgels signed and numbered each house they built, and when they had made 750 of any one model, they stopped production and destroyed the jigs and any remaining pieces. The Gudgels produced many different styles of homes. Titles of the miniatures they offered included Farm House, Cape Ann, Georgetown, Victorian, Greek Revival, Garrison, Federal, Town House, Salem, and Charleston. In addition, the Gudgels conducted workshops in which students assembled their own Gudgel creations. These workshop buildings were limited to 40 a piece.The Gudgels's son Tom began his own series of limited-edition, nonresidential buildings. His works, limited to 200 copies, included a general store, firehouse, railroad station, and a country church. Production of these small gems lasted until Gil and Marge passed away in the 1990.