Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple
$75.00 USD

For sale is a vintage wooden folk art plaque from the "Cat's Meow" series, specifically depicting the Isaac M. Wise Temple (also known as the Plum Street Temple), a historic Reform Jewish synagogue at 720 Plum Street in Cincinnati, Ohio. The "Cat's Meow" branding is a hallmark of this collectible line.


  • Visual Features: The front replicates the temple's Moorish Revival facade in exquisite detail, including a central blue-arched entrance, ornate geometric arabesques, a large rose window with intricate blue-and-gold filigree motifs, flanking minaret-inspired towers with decorative brackets, and simulated brickwork in terracotta and beige tones. The flat-backed design (about 1/2-inch thick wood) allows for easy wall hanging or shelf display. The back shows natural wood grain with minor surface scratches and edge wear, a handwritten signature "Adline" (possibly a collector's or assembler's mark), and faint ink notations like "95" and "m" (likely indicating 1995 production or edition). No glue residue or tabs suggest it's a ready-made plaque, not a DIY kit.


  • Materials: Basswood or pine base (common for the series, lightweight and paintable), with color-printed paper appliqué for the facade details, sealed with a protective varnish. The wood provides durability, while the print adds the "papercraft" illusion.


  • Markings and Labels: The reverse label reads: "ISAAC M. WISE TEMPLE 'PLUM STREET TEMPLE' Built 1866 Cincinnati, Ohio SYNAGOGUE BY JAMES P. MAYER Designed by James K. Wilson Exclusive Booklet by Milford Story Co. 301 Cincinnati, Ohio 45231-3130." Additional stamps include "© The Cat's Meow 1995" and "83" (possibly a mold or series number from 1983 design origins). The signature "Adline" may be a personal touch from a local artisan or owner.

The real temple, dedicated in 1866, is a National Historic Landmark designed by James Keys Wilson in Byzantine-Moorish style, symbolizing American Reform Judaism under Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise. This plaque captures its exotic onion domes and patterned exterior as a whimsical tribute.

Age: 1995 (copyright date on label). The design likely originated in 1983 (tied to the Friends of Plum Street Temple founding and a restoration campaign), but production aligns with the 1995 marking, during a major $2 million renovation of the actual building. This era saw a surge in local heritage souvenirs, especially post-1994 fundraising.

Usage: Decorative wall art or shelf ornament for collectors, history enthusiasts, or Cincinnati/Judaica displays. Part of the "Cat's Meow" series, known for charming, cat-themed (though not always literal) depictions of American landmarks, it's ideal for home offices, religious spaces, or educational settings. Hang via a sawtooth hanger (if present) or adhesive; dust gently to preserve. Not intended for outdoor use or heavy handling.

Origin

  • Manufacturer: The Cat's Meow Village (now under Treasure Hunt Collectibles), a Wooster, Ohio-based company founded in 1976 by Ann and Dick Ricks, specializing in wooden folk art plaques of historic buildings. They produced over 300 designs, often with local tie-ins. Distributed via Milford Story Co., a Cincinnati publisher (301 Gest Street, OH 45231) handling "exclusive booklets" for assembly/history guides—though this appears factory-finished.

  • Designer/Artisan: Original architecture by James Keys Wilson (1866). Plaque design credited to "James P. Mayer" (local Cincinnati collaborator, possibly a historian or illustrator involved in 1980s-90s temple projects). The "Adline" signature could be from a custom finisher or secondary owner.

  • Cultural Context: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA—a key center for Jewish-American history. Produced during the temple's 1994-1995 restoration (overseen by the Friends of Plum Street Temple, est. 1983), likely as a commemorative item for donors or tourists. Limited edition (series items often capped at 500-1,000 units), emphasizing regional pride.

Item dimensions: 7.5 in tall × 5.75 in wide × 0.75 in deep  

Weight of item only: 8.8 oz  

Styled With
Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple
  • Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple
  • Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple
  • Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple
  • Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple
  • Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple
  • Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple
  • Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple
  • Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple
  • Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple
  • Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple
  • Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple
  • Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple
  • Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple
  • Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple
  • Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple
  • Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple
  • Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple
  • Vintage Judaica 1995 Cat's Meow Wooden Folk Art Plaque Isaac M. Wise Plum Street Temple

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