It’s a small world — I literally bumped into reader Cindy (center) as I headed to shop in Northamptom this weekend. This is really kind of freaky, because that’s a half hour from her house and an hour from my house, and there are 6,497,967 people in the great Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Cindy had been going to tag sales with friends. She picked up this trio of vintage seagull wall art for $5. I think you’d call them “in the danish modern style” – although it might be more true to say “popular 70s.” I think these are great for patios… I have a brassy seagull wall hanging, also a steal $, above our barbecue in the U-shaped patio at the front of our house. Well done, Cindy. See you at the James Taylor concert at Tanglewood in two weeks!
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68 comments
Cindy says
I caught them on Mad Men, too!! Mine have found a happy home flying on a living room wall!
Jeanne says
These ducks were on a wall in a scene on MAD MEN last week!!!
Joyce Lompert says
Okay, I should have consulted with my husband before I pronounced the waterfowl as being geese. He says they are the Ibis, and they were sold to the Top Value trading stamps company exclusively. Top Value bought thousands of sets. I did have the time period correct. Sorry about that.
pam kueber says
Woah, thank you for that detail, Joyce! 🙂
Joyce Lompert says
To Cindy,
Masketeers made a piece that consisted of oak cattails with metal stalks and brass leaves which complement the flying ducks and geese. It is about 30″ tall, and you should really look for one to hang below your geese. It gives the display a finished look.
Joyce Lompert says
P.S. Originally, the brass parts of the Masketeers designs may have been solid brass, but the later pieces were brass-plated steel. (I am a stickler for being exact.)
Joyce Lompert says
Hi, I am Jane’s “Auntie”. Masketeers was started in New York City in the 50s by Edward Gilbertson and Al Croce. The name came about because the original product was wooden masks made to hang on the wall. The designs expanded to include other wall decor, made mainly from oak and brass, with some walnut. One of the most popular lines was antique replica wall maps made from baraboard. My husband went to work for them in 1961, and they were already making the flying geese and flying ducks. In 1965, Gil bought out Al’s share and moved the company to Belington WV ,and we came here with them. My husband became plant manager at that time. The popularity of the flying ducks outlasted that of the flying geese, and were still being made when the factory closed in the middle 80s.
Before 1970, a line of children’s furniture was added and marketed under the “Laurel Mountain” label. It consisted of tables, chairs, toyboxes, waste baskets, lamps, with nursery rhyme characters, and a sentry-box storage cabinet with a Buckingham Palace type guardsman on it, all silk screened in bright primary colors.
pam kueber says
Joyce, THANK YOU so much for this information. How kind of you to take the time to share this!
jane says
ok, now I have to phone Auntie and get the whole scoop on the ducks. She started my love for collecting at her knee, literally, as we cruised antique shops in my long ago girlhood. She has an almost encyclopedic knowledge for all things collectable, and would be thrilled to answer any questions about Masketeers. She recently gifted me with an entire set (service for 12!) of beautiful LuRay pastel China. I would love her to pieces regardless, but wow, i can’t thank her enough. will send a photo of that for a new thread.
gavin hastings says
Long story short….When I was eleven I discovered the house one door from my own….and fell in love with it. I announced to my family that someday I would buy it. Guess what?
Couldn’t be happier and (get me on the couch…) and putting it back exactly as I remember it in 1964. It was MUCH abused for forty years! I once again have: Chickering in the corner, pale aqua everywhere, lots of Kittinger furniture. Do you remember Steiger’s? Albert Steiger, Jr and his family lived her from 1945-58. It was so innovative for its’ time.
On a similar note…..I distinctly remember this house as a child AND the homes of my friends. (I showed Mrs Ryan across the street my set of Franciscan Autumn dishes and said “These were your dishes in the early 60’s”….she had forgotten…but her kids were amazed that I remembered.
The ducks above…and they are ducks…graced the cut stone fireplace wall of the Roncalli family I block away….in their Danish Modern living room in 1965.
I am now living in Sixteen Acres, Springfield….a wilderness in 1939.
pam kueber says
Wow, Gavin, that is quite the story. I do not live far away. I would love to come visit sometime.
gavin hastings says
Hey John in Florence…Off subject-but take a drive down Middle Street #17. I took a an 1880’s mill house and transformed it into a Greek Revival 10 years ago.
My NEW house is a 1939 “House of the Future” which was open to the public the first year erected. Lots of work…but I am bringing it back!
pam kueber says
Hi Gavin, where do you live? Are you in the Pioneer Valley as well?
Maria Stahl says
Oh no, I’m on a roll now: Check these ??gazelles??: Item number is 300339853687.
pam kueber says
Wow, Maria. Thanks for the Masketeers links on ebay. Another thing to collect. Drats.