Nipper’s Legacy in Albany

Albany has a fondness for oversized dog statues, and none is more iconic than Nipper. This impressive 200-foot-tall white dog with black ears has been perched on a warehouse roof for nearly 70 years, famously representing a terrier absorbed in the sounds of a phonograph, a symbol associated with RCA.

As the years went by, Nipper became a point of pride for the local community. Parents often highlight the statue for their children while driving by. You can even find his likeness on keychains, hats, and sweatshirts, capturing the affection people have for him.

“When I think of Nipper, I think of Albany. It’s like they go hand in hand,” remarked Cody Hitt, who was enjoying drinks with friends nearby.

Yet, that pride is currently mixed with worry about what lies ahead for Nipper.

A red warning placard, marked with a white diagonal line, has recently been placed on the neglected four-story warehouse that houses Nipper, signaling caution for firefighters and first responders.

“This isn’t a good sign for Nipper. He’s attached to that building, so if anything were to happen, moving him would be quite the challenge,” noted Kara Macri, director of preservation at the Historic Albany Foundation.

The Story of Nipper

Certainly not your average dog, Nippers originally lived in England during the late 1800s, where they garnered a reputation for playfully nipping at people’s ankles. Nipper’s story was immortalized in the painting “The Master’s Voice” by his owner’s brother, Francis Barrow, illustrating his curiosity towards the sounds emitting from a gramophone.

In 1899, the London Phonograph Company acquired the image, which soon made its way to the US. The trademark “His Master’s Voice” eventually was taken over by RCA in 1929.

The statue in Albany, with a body made from a composite material on a steel frame, was positioned on the building by crane in the late 1950s to draw attention to an RCA appliance store.

During its peak popularity, various Nipper statues were created, including one in Baltimore that stands 14 feet tall, complete with a giant gramophone.

Albany’s skyline features this beloved dog prominently, with its modernist state government buildings nearby, including a 44-story office tower that has a unique egg shape.

Nipper’s likeness finds its way onto all sorts of merchandise sold at the Fort Orange General Store, like socks and shot glasses. Store owner Erica Cubello proudly declared him as “the unofficial mascot of Fort Orange and of Albany itself,” all while sporting a Nipper hoodie.

Current State of Affairs

While Nipper remains in good condition, the warehouse below him has not fared as well; it has been unused for over ten years with peeling paint and no signs of life. Initial plans to transform the space into apartments and retail areas fell through, and years of foreclosure battles have left the property in limbo.

As of 2024, the Historic Albany Foundation has labeled the building as hazardous, with the city placing caution signs at its entrances. Concerns bubbled up further when a Times Union columnist emphasized the need for better protection for Nipper and the building itself.

Officials from Mayor Dorsey Applers’ office are working to get Nipper recognized among Albany’s historical landmarks, which could provide crucial protections against potential damage.

On a state level, the warehouse district, including where Nipper stands, has recently been added to state and national historic registers, potentially unlocking preservation tax credits.

Despite the challenges, discussions about relocating Nipper seem improbable. Moving this nearly four-ton statue would be costly and complicated, and frankly, where would he go?

“The downtown area is currently being redeveloped. We might be able to place him somewhere by the river,” mentioned Macri. “But he’s… a big dog.”