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!
Susan Clements says
I found some this summer at big lots
Rockabillybebe says
If you’re in the SE Michigan area, a local chain called Meijer carries them. I just bought a set last weekend for $9.99!
sarah says
i can’t wait to have a bride and groom set at my wedding. they are going to arrive by don featherstone him self. cant wait to see what they look like. if you are in st. louis you might take a small chance of running into him
Lou Meigs says
Thanks Pam! I saw this just before leaving for my heart surgery and ordered them. My father in law says they arrived just a day after we left for the hospital. They are great. Kev is going to sink them in concrete molds and plant them in the garden so they don’t wander off. Thanks for giving me a smile!
Pat says
I bought a couple of these from eBay, made sure they were Don Featherstone ones. They are really nice, but now I don’t want to put them outside to get weathered, they are sitting in their box!
pam kueber says
What a great Father’s Day idea! We won’t tell….
Elvis (aka) Jane says
I just got my Flamingo book (very cool!) and I ordered the flamingos too. Shhh…Mr. Elvis doesn’t know it, but he’s getting them for Father’s Day!
Steve says
There was a dapper pair of flamingos in the storage compartment of our 1956 Aloha travel trailer. Maybe not original equipment, but an very important accessory nevertheless!
pam kueber says
Hi Steve. Now I need a 1956 Aloha travel trailer. Too.
george says
Don’t throw out your faded flamingoes!!!
They can be revived.
Check out http://www.planetchristmas.com/Blowmolds.htm
pam kueber says
Thanks, George. Wow, that looks like some therapy to repaint a blow mold. Note the Disclaimer on the site, folks, and you know what I say: Be sure to be aware of all environmental and safety issues.
Chris says
I have two stuck in a planter on my balcony in Sunny Miami (where else)! I remember my parents putting these in the lawn growing up in the 80’s (Miami Vice fever in full effect…). I knew i had to get some when I moved.