Family Heirlooms
Various items associated with Manuel and Librada have over the past decades been passed on to individials in the different branches of the family. While few , if any of these items have any material value they are are of great sentimental value to the family.
Sugarbowl. During the 1930s movie theatres frequently gave away pieces of china or even sugarbowls to attendees. Christopher Lopez Galvez said that is how family got this bowl. The sugarbowl was subsequently rescued from trash by Manuel Lopez Balles.
Manuel's Musket Rifle. Manuel's father, Juan Lopez gave his youngest son, Manuel Lopez Ruiz a musket loading rifle. The tradition is that this gun is to be passed down to the youngest son of the youngest son. As such, Anthony Lopez Ordono received it from his father, Anthony Lopez Galvez, the youngest son of Manuel. If Anthony fails to have a son, the gun should be passed on to Manuel Lopez Turturro, the son of Manuel Lopez Gleick.
Abuelo's Cane. Manuel had several canes, one of which he left behind when he returned to Spain. For year, Christopher kept his father's cane in his office at abulela's. In 2006, just before the house was sold he passed the cane onto his son, Manuel asking him to ultimately pass it on to Christopher's grandson, Nicholas. Christopher also gave his cane that he purchased in Alhama to his son, Manuel
Abuela's Sewing Machine Foot powered, Abuela's sewing machine was passed on to the Lecercq Lopez family.
Family Portrait. During World War II at a time when both John and Christopher were home from service, Manuel and Librada had a family photo taken which included Anna's daughter Anna. The original hung at abuela's till the 1970s when copies were made for each branch of the family. Anthony Lopez Ordono has the original.
Gold Rings. Prior to returning to US after abuelo's death, Librada purchased engraved gold rings for her grandsons at the time.
"The Radio" Librada and Manuel finally purchased a radio for the family while living in Brooktyn. The decision was made easier by their son, Christopher's offer to make the monthly payments of 25 cents. They went wild purchasing one with glass light in front and a 50 cent monthly payment. Now property of Lopez Gleich
Librada's chair: Simple wooden chair with wicker seat that Librada purchased along with Tapestry at estate sale. Like tapestry, this chair followed the family ending up in the office of Christopher Lopez Galvez who gave it to his son, Manuel in 2006
Tapestry. Purchased by Librada at an estate sale shortly after arriving in the US, this tapestry remained with Librada hanging for years in the upstair's hall of "abuela's". Now property of Manuel Lopez Balles who was given tapestry when abuelo's was rented out in 1973.
Coffee Grinder. One of the few items to make the crossing in 1930 with Librada and ther children was a small coffee grinder. Now property of Leclercq Lopez.
World War I Army Blanket. When Manuel sailed to the US from France in 1920 he carried with him a American World War I army blanket. His brother-in law, Jose a teenager at the time had "borrowed" this blanket from a US soldier during the closing days of the First World War. The blanket remained at abuela's until the house was sold in 2006 when it went into the trash.
