When it comes to ephemera (items of collectible memorabilia, typically written or printed ones, that were originally expected to have only short-term usefulness or popularity), paper placemats are about as ephemerotious as you can get! They were, after all, designed to catch drips and spills and other indignities that I don't even want to think about. Today's examples were somehow preserved by heroes whose names are unknown to us.
First up is this placemat from the Disneyland Hotel "restaurants by Gourmet". I believe that this example could be from the 1960s or 1970s, but I can't find any info about how long the "Gourmet" name was used at the Hotel. I have shared two menus from what I assume was more than a single restaurant? Take a look HERE and HERE. In doing a bit of research, I found people selling framed examples for around $400. I promise you I didn't pay anything even close to that amount.
Next is this attractive placemat from Café Orléans (in New Orleans Square, naturally). I like the unusual die-cut shape on this one, and those graphics that make me think of those Robert Abel 7-Up commercials from the 1970s.
This next one is rather generic, but my understanding is that it is early (almost certainly from the 50s) and pretty scarce. There's a tiny bit of edge wear, but it's remarkable to think that this delicate paper item has somehow survived 60+ years.
And lastly, here's a placemat that was given to me long ago. I don't know anything about it other than the obvious Disneyland Hotel connection. But I do love me a Disneyland map, even a cartoony "fun map". The item has no date, but there's no Toontown, so that puts it before 1993. I generally give it an "early 90s" guesstimate. The placemat has a "Where's Mickey" challenge, and it isn't easy since so many cartoony people are wearing mouse ears, and the printing isn't that great. If you want to cheat and see where Mickey is, click HERE!
I will be out of town for the next four days (I think) in order to help a friend move some stuff from Utah back to LA. The good news is that it is around 100º in Utah, so that will be fun! I doubt I will have much time to chime in, which is a bummer, but there will be new posts for you every day, as usual! I'll talk to you all when I get back.
The Disneyland Hotel placemat was used at THE MONORAIL CAFE. A few years ago the original line art for this placemat came up for auction .
ReplyDeleteThere’s a variation of the CAFE ORLEANS placemat that features the SaraLee sponsor logo.
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ReplyDeleteThe '1950's' place mat is really nice, with very interesting details seen in each image - missing only 'the dent'-!
Thanks, Major.
Find Waldo's Lawyers trying to find Mickey.
ReplyDeleteI agree, placemats are the epitome of paper ephemera. A good thing to collect.
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite today is the Cafe Orleans placemat; because of the different shape and the soft colors.
I also like the "generic" Disneyland placemat. The small illustrations are more detailed than most of the other spot illustrations we've seen.
Where's Mickey: I found Minnie and Donald rather quickly. But too many of the "cartoony people" look so much like Mickey that I gave it up as a lost cause. So I cheated and clicked on your link... I'm glad I did. Sheesh! Mickey doesn't really look like Mickey any more than a dozen other people.
Thanks for showing us some of your Disney placemats, Major. Enjoy your time toiling in the 100 degree heat. :-p
I like all of these, but my favorite is that third one, from the 1950s.
ReplyDeleteI do remember those 7-Up commercials from the 1970s....very groovy and psychedelic!
Major, I agree with you on the early nineties for that last one. We can see a hot air balloon (near It's A Small World) from the "Disney Afternoon Avenue" promotion, which was took place in 1991!
Thanks for sharing, Major! Be sure to stay hydrated during the next four days!
Indeed, great stuff…if you could get them. As Major mentioned, getting one without greasy drips was the first step (and you might grab an extra, or even take yours off your own tray right away) but then you had to manage that precious puppy all day without folding or rolling the thin paper. Getting one home was an accomplishment. I only managed a few, but including that wonderful colorful one.
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Wonderful things! As Howard Carter said.
ReplyDeleteThe first one does get the job done, quite workmanlike. I always assumed the Gourmet monicker was that of the magazine, but the graphic isn’t quite like that one?
The second one reminds me slightly of art by David Goins (?) who did a lot of promotional and cookbook art for Chez Panisse and others in the 1970s-80s. His style resembled art deco stained glass.
On the third one, I like how the halftone printing makes the most of an economic color palette, the accents bleed outside the line work like a watercolor in a most pleasing and sketchy way.
The last one definitely trades on “Where’s Waldo”. I see the LearJet Monorail and Star Tours, thank Tokyo for the Afternoon Avenue reference. We saw this on one of our early visits, but I don’t recall the placemat.
A great range of styles for an otherwise boring functional item. They could have just used the same plain white paper one with scalloped edges everywhere, but went the second and third miles to make memorable minor art works.
Thanks Major, you’re a good friend to your friend. Reminder, friends help you move, “real friends” help you move bodies. Hope it doesn’t come to that. And that the heat stays bearable.
JG
It’s really quite amazing that these things made it out of the Park in such pristine fashion: they are soooo delicate, and the slightest bit of handing spoils them: much less food! Otherwise known as “drippy grease”. They are all wonderful even the where’s Mickey: there’s a lot in there to look at: including a pre TRE Rocket Jets…and before the Wookies invaded. I used to get Gourmet magazine, and it was such a treat: I saved them all…and now who knows where they are! I’ve seen the menus from those Hotel restaurants , I’m not sure it’s “Gourmet”…really: whatever that really means…but I suppose in the day it was quite high brow. The Wrathers were rather “fancy pants”: the TV exec and the movie star wife. I can’t say I’ve seen anything that Bonita Granville was in…or maybe I have and didn’t notice. Cafe Orleans I ate at for the first time a couple of years ago…They try so super hard…all the restaurants do…but there’s something that always feels kind of cold and “off”…and kind of rushed…maybe Walt was right: all people want is burgers and hot dogs…maybe not blackened tuna…is that what I had? I Suppose the rides should be the memorable part of the day, and not the meals. Blue Bayou is atmosphere, Napa Rose is a bit over the top, but inventive and interesting, Cathay Circle was probably my best meal in a Disney Park…California Grill at WDW also atmosphere: amazing views: even in a thunderstorm. Brown Derby: on par with Carthay…all expensive, and I have no idea how families afford these vacations, and eating in these locations with multiple persons and sometimes multi generational as well. Enjoy the heat Major…you are a better man that I!
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