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Completed, refurbished gates at Locks Gallery

In 1908 Samuel Yellin hand-forged a beautiful set of Iron gates for the editorial offices of Lea and Febiger Publishers in Washington Square Philadelphia. Ever since then, these gates have expressed their beauty for all that pass by.

In 2016, Compass Ironworks was contacted to refurbish these Yellin Masterpieces. Locks Gallery, the building owner, was very prudent in getting them refurbished at this stage. Definitely within that golden hour, just when the finish is starting to deteriorate, but there is minimal corrosion or damage to the structural integrity.

“We just love these gates, they are awesome. You can tell each individual scroll was forged by hand. There are no two exactly alike. With the joinery method, the hot collar detail and the rosettes, these gates are truly inspiring for us,” says Amos Glick of Compass Ironworks.

Weighing in at over 400lbs each, removing these gates was not an easy feat, and due to the alcove they sat in, it was impossible to utilize any hoisting or lifting equipment. Once both gates were stripped down, the Samuel Yellin Stamp was clearly visible. Once cleaned up, the gates were dipped in a liquid epoxy for complete encapsulation of the fine details of the beautiful work. Next, an eco-friendly powder-coat was applied to withstand the elements for decades. The Latch mechanism was deconstructed, cleaned and oiled and reassembled, but did require some adjustments for smooth operation.

The workings of the latch still in mint condition after 108 years of use.

Upon installation, it was discovered a previous refurbishment had compromised the door opening. Some strategic alterations were made, the gates were realigned, and these magnificent gates now have a new lease on life, ready to perform for the next 108 years.

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We love our front porch railings! They certainly add a lot of beauty to our home and they fit the period of our home. When elderly guests come to visit, it’s always good that they have something strong to hold onto, and they fit perfectly what we were looking for. Thanks to everyone on your team for their artistic work. We are very happy with our final products!

Indiana Cleint

Compass delivered absolutely amazing, high quality product. They are true masters.  I am also pleased with their timely communication and guidance, as we worked through the design and transaction process. 

I would definitely recommend them and work with them again.

Wisconsin Client

What an excellent experience we had with Compass Ironworks!! We have spent four years restoring and remodeling a Pre-Civil War home in North Alabama. We have learned a lot through the process and made more than a few mistakes. But choosing Compass Ironworks was not one of those. From the very first interaction, Amos and his team have been a pleasure to work with. Old homes are quirky! No right angles. No two measurements are precisely the same. So using a company in Pennsylvania was a risk. And we are SO GLAD we took that risk! Absolutely flawless!! The designs, the collaboration, the execution, the QUALITY, the timeline and the finished product were all first class!!! We will absolutely choose Compass again for our next project and recommend them to anyone who asks.

Alabama Designer

The railing is installed and is beautiful … a work of art, to be sure!

My expectations were high and certainly met. I was able to visit the shop and see the railing in progress. It was a thrill to see it then, and very exciting when it arrived at my home.

I have already recommended you to others!

Massachusetts Client
Front entrance metal gate