early 20th century ornamental american cast brass antique figural doorknob and matching backplate salvaged from the old blackstone hotel, located in downtown chicago. the c. 1909 doorknob features a central rooster, surrounded by bayleaf garland. the deeply embossed backplate contains a cartouche surrounded by volutes and topped with an anthemion. the blackstone hotel is located on the corner of michigan avenue and balbo street in the michigan boulevard historic district in the loop community area of chicago. this 290-foot 21-story marshall and fox-designed hotel was built from 1908 to 1910. the hotel was named for timothy blackstone, a notable chicago business executive and politician, who served as the founding president of the union stock yards, president of the chicago and alton railroad and mayor of la salle, illinois. the hotel's exterior and interior are considered an excellent example of both neoclassical beaux-arts and french second empire architecture. the oval-shaped doorknob and backplate was manufactured by the yale & towne mfg. co., stamford, ct. nicely aged surface patina.