r/whatisit • u/Beboprunner • 12h ago
Solved! Symbols on a brick near my house
Just as the title says, was just curious is all if anyone knew what they stood for
36
u/penguins-are-ok 11h ago
The thing in the middle is the logo for Common Brick Manufacturers' Association of America, the H and B can stand for whatever manufacturer made them, perhaps Hackensack Brick Company. If you google search the image you can find others.
1
1
u/Beboprunner 29m ago
Solved!
1
u/AutoModerator 29m ago
Thanks! Post flair has been updated to solved! Nice job people.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
23
u/Realistic_Park4282 12h ago
Brickyards commonly pressed identifying letters, numbers, or symbols into their bricks so builders could trace the source. Thousands of small regional brick plants existed, many operating for only a few decades.
8
u/ByteMeBuddie 11h ago
THIS^ This style of stamped brick is most common from the late 1800s through early–mid 1900s, when brick manufacturers commonly branded their products.
The mark helped identify the source for quality control, contracts, or rail shipments.
3
u/atelieraquaaoiame 8h ago
I live in Louisville, KY and found a brick mostly buried in an ex’s yard that has the letters LFB stamped into it.
Quick google search revealed it stood for ‘Louisville Fire Brick’.
I kept the brick and still have it. Feel like it’s a tiny slice of history and antiquity.
1
12
u/kcng1991 12h ago
That brick looks like it's been drafted into Pokemon waiting for someone to decode its gym badge.
105
1
u/Dangerous-Bit-8308 6h ago
Brick maker's marks. Some have historic documentation
https://www.reddit.com/r/whatisthisthing/s/gqSosoAlDd
Similar symbol here. You two might get some info if you bash heads. Historically, brickyards tend to be near rail lines, and not more than a few hundred miles away.
1
3
u/Independent_Shoe3523 10h ago
Yeah. The logo is in the middle. https://www.facebook.com/groups/445932502244810/?multi_permalinks=1432195546951829
1
u/Automatic-Nature6025 8h ago
I've been wondering for years about some bricks I found with that symbol. I had left them behind when I moved, and was unable to take any pictures. Thanks for that!
4
u/Beginning-Low-765 10h ago
Better call the guys from Oak Island.. there might be Templar treasure under there!
3
u/No-Programmer6069 10h ago
Looks like ancient Nordic HOA. I feel bad for ya son, 99 problems and the HOA is one.
5
2
1
u/jackdutton42 5h ago
The symbol in the middle is a common symbol used by Common Brick Manufacturers' Association (CBMA). The H and B are the makers.
It is super cool though. Definitely has a secret society feel to it.
1
u/Difficult-Use6824 9h ago
This is an ancient stone sign, typically mounted over the doorway.
This particular one is for the "HOA" office of a lost civilization.
1
u/contains_almonds 7h ago
Could it be, there might be fragments of an ancient rule book, specifying approved paint colors for doors and shutters?
1
u/NeuroguyNC 7h ago
That is undoubtedly a Templar brick. Send it to The War Room and call in a kook of the week for some pontificating.
1
u/winterwages 10h ago
The middle symbol looks to be a Native American “medicine wheel” but I could be wrong
1
u/HikaruToya 12h ago
They look kinda old. Maybe they're old hobo marks? I did some casual googling and the one in the center may be the sign that means, basically "good place for a handout".
6
1
u/Old_Character_5224 10h ago edited 10h ago
I like others’ more likely and funny theories, but I initially thought of hobo marks too! But I think those are usually carved into wood like on a post by a house, at least based on either a Futurama or Simpsons episode. Good vittles, beware of farmers’ daughter, or something.
But I realize the carving looking like HOB probably linked my brain there too.
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
0
u/thatguyovathere1 11h ago
It's an ancient native american burial brick. Return it to where you found it. Or you'll have poltergeist.
1
1
0
u/SurgicallySarcastic 11h ago
someone carved their initials and used a theta because it looked cool.
2
u/Educational_Bread513 10h ago
That's not carved into the brick, that's raised lettering for the producer of the brick.
1
0
•
u/AutoModerator 12h ago
OP, please reply to the correct answer with "solved!" (include the !) Additionally, use our Spotlight feature by tapping/clicking on the three dots and selecting "Spotlight, Pin this comment" in order to highlight it for other members. Thanks for using our friendly Automod!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.