NO DISCUSSION OF MIDCENTURY LANDSCAPING IS COMPLETE without including the famous pink flamingo lawn ornaments designed by Don Featherstone. According to my online research, Featherstone is an artist who sculpted 750 products for Union Products, Inc., in Leominster, Mass., starting in 1956. He sculpted the iconic pink flamingos in 1957. They were based on National Geographic images, and they went on the market in 1958. The taller one is 30″ tall when staked into the ground.
All Featherstone flamingos made today have his names inscribed into the mold
Yes: Featherstone flamingos are still available today! They seem to have been in continuous production since 1958, with just one yearlong gap in 2006-2007.
Get them on Amazon of course>> Featherstone flamingos here. (affiliate link, yes, you click & buy, I make some moola)
In 1987, Featherstone inscribed his name on the original molds, in order to differentiate them from knockoffs. Today, all the authentic reproductions being made will still have Featherstone’s signature molded into them. You can buy them for sale on Amazon — look for the ones by Union Products … they come in a pair… Don Featherstone’s name is on the box.
Featherstone actually rose to lead the company. He retired in 2000, and continued to reside in Fitchburg, Mass. — with 57 of his flamingos on his front lawn. Also, Wikipedia says that he and his wife have dressed alike for their entire marriage.
Don Featherstone died in June 2015. He was 79. The tributes poured in. His hometown newspaper, the Fitchburg (Mass.) Sentinel & Enterprise wrote a lovely, lovely story. The New York Times put his story on the front page. Rest in serene peace, Don Featherstone.
Unfortunately, Union Products closed in 2006 – but fortunately, a year later a company named HHC International purchased the famous flamingo molds. Last I read, it produces from them today in Westmoreland, New York. There was a ton of news media attention on this story at the time.
There’s also a book written by Don Featherstone himself — It’s called Pink Flamingos Splendor in the Grass.
These Don Featherstone pink flamingos: Classic classic classic Americana. Treasure them!
Stew Grant says
I have 40 in front of the house
Concerned Dad says
God bless you, Mr. Grant.
Scott says
I guess I have always thought of pink flamingos as a very fun but perhaps bit too much for me type of thing, but the fact that they are still being made from the original molds, and in the USA to boot, have made me look at them in a whole new way. I really enjoyed the history lesson on the birds too, very fun reading. I think there is a fine line between delightful mid-century whimsy and kitsch but I may have to throw caution to the wind and let a few of these creatures loose on my lawn this year. 🙂
Kitty says
A lot of HOA’s (Homeowner’s Associations …our old one in Myrtle Beach comes to mind) have banned these flamingos from neighborhoods. I appreciate your efforts to save the flamingo before it becomes an endangered species!
Joe Felice says
I am an HOA manager, and I decry the efforts of some control freaks to ban personal expressions of beauty and whimsy. HOAs allow potted plants & flowers, so why not lawn ornaments? They aren’t permanent, and do not constitute an architectural change, for which permission would be required. I, for one, think we could use more whimsy in our world, and in our lives. Here in Denver, they built a big blue bear on the east side of the convention center, and he is peering in at the occupants. There is also a statue of 2 skinny figures, about 20 ft. tall, dancing on the lawn in front of the Performing-Arts Center. Whenever I see these, a smile comes to my face. They just evoke positive feelings, the same ones I get when I drive down a street and see flamingos.
Lori says
It’s the 21st century fear of color. So many beige houses, with beige tile, off-white carpet, white fixtures. People are scared of pink!
steve says
go to cadocompany.com , they have purchased orginal rights to the pink flamigo mold.
Daisy says
This weekend we were down at the Gulf of Mexico hanging out at the beach and we saw a teardrop trailer with two pink flamingos and some palm trees sitting outside of it. The whole sceen just looked cool. I totally want to buy some for our yard!
anthony says
Hi there, just wanted you to know that for us seacoast New Englanders, “Newbury Comics” sells these flamingos in-store for about $15/pair. since Union products (Leominister, MA, which made the Don Featherstone flamingos went out of business, a company called Faster Form (Binghamton, NY) has bought rights and is selling them again, exactly as the originals . it’s where i get mine wicked cheap.
Sue says
Sorry, Pam – just found this site.
I was also given some plastic flamingos years ago as a house warming present – every time I mowed the grass I’d move them around the yard. For the winter (I lived in the NE) I’d move them into the backyard (south for the winter). The first year they looked so cold, I knitted red, white and green scarfs and leg warmers! In the spring they’d re-appear in the front yard (north, of course) dressed in Easter best with straw hats, glasses and bows! True “snow birds”! It was great fun!!
pam kueber says
No problem, Sue, sorry if I sounded harsh. Welcome!!!! Send pics of your flamingos in their seasonal gear if you get a chance!
Sue says
I have 2 concrete pink flamingos and am trying to get an idea of what they might be worth. They look pretty old – I’ve had them for 15-20 years. Anyone have any ideas?
pam kueber says
Sue — please post this question over on the Forum. No buying / selling / valuation questions on the main part of the blog. https://retrorenovation.com/forum/
Shara says
You can also get these at Menards and Farm & Fleet. I have metal flamigos, which are going to be replaced by plastic ones this year.