A. Schadow and Son Clock (1913)

While I was out on my porch photographing the Guild Mini-Vuer (see previous post), I went ahead and took some pix of this amazing, 110 year old mantle clock that I found recently as well. Produced around the tail end of the art nouveau era in 1913 by A. Schadow & Son, NY., this beautifully designed, antique time keeper no longer works, but it still looks mighty impressive in all of its heavy-duty, deco fonted, golden tombstone style. The bottom of the clock (see photo) suggests it was possibly a Republic Building & Loan Assn. promotion as the clock itself equally doubles as a key lock bank to store your spare change in (see slots on the back side photo below.) Further googling the company name of A. Schadow & Son for more info, I noticed they had quite a variety of different styled clocks, including a truly beautiful (and very nouveau looking) clock / lamp combo complete with an attractively sculpted nymph. I also wonder if "A. Schadow & Son" was actually a real father and son duo, or merely a clever name play on the concept of the original, ancient method of telling time-- the sundial (shadow and sun.)

Guild Mini-Vuer starring Raquel Welch

Picked up a nice 'n clean 60's Guild Mini-Vuer the other day, complete with the box. I totally love how this thing is designed with a retro-future style spyglass appearence-- and now I have a place to store that random Raquel Welch slide I've had in my collection forever too!

Marky Maypo Vinyl Figure

I found a vinyl Marky Maypo figure the other day and couldn't pass him up! With his ten gallon hat and unpainted tongue hanging out of his grinning mouth, he sure does look happier here at my house than at the dusty old antique mall. (Collector note: this is the rare vinyl figure, NOT the much more common bank which apparently came out afterwards at some point.) Marky Maypo was one of the earliest animated examples of a great product mascot, and this time being the kooky kiddy personality of Maypo Oat Cereal, originally produced by Maltex Co. You can read more about the incredibly interesting history of everything Marky related HERE, --and just as importantly, be sure to see the cute and very clever old John Hubley animated TV commercials from the 50's and 60's collected HERE! My cat and I thank you!

Topps Far-Out 70's Iron-Ons

We're getting close to back-to-school days again, and what's the most important thing a kid needs on those first few, impressionable weeks of daily drudgery whilst making new friends in the mid 70's? That's right-- iron-on tee decals! How else are you gonna let that cute new girl two lockers over know that you're into monsters, hot rods, kung fu, or streaking?! Yep, you need an "in", aka the perfecto conversation starter, --something that really shows 'em all just who and what you're all about! Are you hot stuff? Or are you revolting? Topps knew the score by dishing out the grooviest idea next to non-sport trading cards-- The Far-Out Iron-Ons series! There were two sets in all, (12 diff designs each) and I've managed to acquire 18 of the 24 from both the red and blue packs combined. But woe is me, so close, yet still so far-- arghh!! And hey, does anyone recognize some of the artists here? Don't be a chicken, or a jive turkey now, --tell us who you think!

 

Futura

Time now to launch our rockets into ocillating orbit with another thrilling sci-fi space babe adventure, and this time it's a frisky FUTURA entry from the May 1948 issue of Planet Comics #54! Some incredibly attractive, high detail artwork by Enrico Bagnoli, not just of fabulous Futura herself, but everything from the web-mitted aliens, to the spacecraft and evil tyrant costumes! A tremendous, top notch style that reminds me a bit of THOIA fave, Al Williamson. 

Countdown commencing in 5...4...3...2...1...

Soaky from the Black Lagoon

I mean, what else needs to be said about the Colgate - Palmolive / Univeral Pictures Creature from the Black Lagoon Soaky from the 60's? Seriously. Look at him standing there, menacingly holding his fresh catch of the day in hands that possibly possess way too many fingers, ruby red lipstick matching his rockin' red eyeliner. Yes indeed, it was cool enough owning the rad glow-in-the-dark repo from Super7, but now to also have an original simply sends me me over la goon-- err-- la moon! And just because it's the most incredible vintage commercial of all time, CLICK HERE for the classic animated TV spot for The Creature and Mummy Soakys! Oh yeah, I have the Mummy Soaky too, remember? CLICK HERE to remember...

Thy Will Be Done...

Today I have a sad, though no less lovely pair of unused Holmfirth mourning postcards, copyright dated 1909. These were found the other day while digging through an enormous, variety box of antique cards, and are quite rare apparently, being hand colored photos of a cemetery and funeral scene on the front, plus gorgeous ornamental nouveau design and lettering on the back in gold. To actually find two that were produced by Holmfirth in numerical order, and even sent from the same person (see two-part inscriptions on the reverse) is also quite a bit of bewildering luck, I must say...