Did you know that a flock of flamingos is actually called a “flamboyance”? So perfect! Earlier this week, the designer of the iconic, beloved, midcentury flamingo lawn ornaments — Don Featherstone — died. He was 79. The tributes are already pouring 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.
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Dear Husband and I drove over to Northampton last weekend for a “date Saturday.” Activities included visiting one of my favorite people in retroworld — Retro Genie, who owns a delightful vintage shop there. While we were chatting away like chatterboxes, she remembered all of a sudden, excitedly, “Oh, I need to show you what I just got!” And then she pulled these beautiful birdies out of her back storage: New Old Stock Don Featherstone Flamingo lawn ornaments. You shoulda heard me Squawk!
Featherstone flamingo lawn ornaments were introduced for sale in 1958 and to be sure, they are American classics. The book about them says 20 million+ have been sold, and that’s as of 1999.
I think, based on the shipping label, that Jeannie’s NOS birds are from 1971. before 1963. Or maybe later, we seem to have a few expert readers sorting this out — see the comments. This set was still made in its original location — by Union Products in Leominster, Mass. This set was sold by Sears, see the label still on the box. I am a lover of the one-and-only original Featherstone flamingos — you can still buy them today made in the USA. You can find them easily on Amazon.
But, what is so fascinating about Jeannie’s earlybird flamingos is that they are made of a different sort of plastic than the one used today. As I mentioned above, there is a book about the flamingos, and I have a copy. But, it is mostly silly text with lots of photos of the flamingos in all kinds of dress in all kinds of places around the world. I paged through it, and alas, could see no history detailing materials changes over the years.
Jeannie’s flamingos are all smooth plastic-like (compared to today’s). And, they are a softer shade of pink.
Of course, I told Jeannie that here New Old Stock Featherstone flamingos are PRICELESS and that she should only sell them for lotsa lotsa money. Preferably to the Museum of Modern Art.
Above: The label – which helps us establish the date, because of the zip code. As reader Amy informs:
These are much older than 1971! You can tell by the address label, which reads “Boston 15.” Two-digit postal zone codes were in use 1943-1963. Zip codes were introduced in 1963.
A friend of Jeannie’s found them at a flea market.
Here is my itsy history of the Featherstone flamingos. Jeannie’s treasure makes me so very happy. The pair need names, though, don’t you think? Suggestions?
Thank you, Jeannie, for being so wonderful. Follow Retro Genie on Facebook.
PennyinColorado says
It’s been interesting reading about the late Don Featherstone and his flamingos.
Does anyone remember a news item a few years back saying that the flamingos were no longer being made in the US?
Well, last weekend I was at my local Ace Hardware store, and to my surprise, I saw a couple of boxes of pairs of genuine Featherstone flamingos, and they were actually made in the US, new ones not old ones though. I was quite excited, having just mourned Mr. Featherstone’s death, and of course had to buy a box.
They are now gracing the front yard, artfully placed amongst the “shrubberies” as Monty Python might say.
May they stay unstolen.
Mikey Renn says
When I lived in Olney, Texas, a little dusty town of about 2000 pop., one could not keep pink Flamingos in the yard- they would be stolen promptly!
Carolyn says
The originals are so much better made than the knock-offs, better, more realistic, more…better.
Someone has attributed the saying “There goes the neighborhood” to the appearance of the pair in a yard. Me? I’d take that as a compliment!
Michele DeGroat says
I agree! my daughter’s friends on Wall Street chided her about them when they saw a picture and she got embarrassed and insisted on removing them. I thought they were chic but she just thought they were “tacky”. different generation – she doesn’t get it! the originals in the picture above are way kool and , yes, I did notice and read the article on the front page of the NYTimes.
paul lunemann says
What is Featherstone’s web address?
pam kueber says
not sure I understand your question
Dottie says
Flamingo names:
Peaches and Flingo.
Marty says
About 10 years ago, I was at a local Eckerd pharmacy and they had an endcap full of Featherstone/Union flamingo 2-packs for $10 each. Should’ve bought more than one set.
Mary M says
I had a rude awakening a couple years back…I woke up early one morning, looked out in my front yard – to see 20 plastic flamingos (many with big googly eyes stuck over their real eyes) arrayed tastefully in my yard. It took me many minutes to get up the nerve to go out and make sure they were really there, and not just in my head. There was a sign with them; “You’ve been flocked! Please contribute to the (local no-kill shelter) to get them removed!”. I ended up buying the googly-eye ones outright (at about 10 times their value) but I was so attached by then, just had to have them, sure would like to find some big, authentic ones some day…