FIRST THINGS FIRST!
I'm on a real roll lately; I realized (too late) that March 1st was David W's birthday. And I blew it! Sue B. had even sent me a vintage photo for the occasion (months ago), but I was too busy watching reality TV (the best TV). So all I can do is share Sue's photo and wish David a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Sorry for my error, DW, I hope you had a wonderful day!
The photo is great, a mom who should've been on TV (she needs more pearls, though) is getting ready to serve slices of cake (chocolate with white icing, yum). Is the birthday boy the one with the bowtie? I think I had a clip-on bowtie when I was very young, but reject them wholeheartedly now. A person has to have standards. I can't tell if all five kids are siblings or not. I like the cluster of balloons hanging from the ceiling (or a chandalier) and wish we could see more of the vintage kitchen. Thanks for this picture, Sue!
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It's time for another exciting and probably historically significant selection of PINS FROM THE BAG! For those of you who didn't witness the Moon landing - this is basically just as good.
Button #1 - celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Gackle, North Dakota! "Gackle"... what a beautiful name! It was actually named after a farmer, George Gackle (seriously). It's a tiny town (population 280-ish) to the east of Bismark that was celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1954. I like the charming design. For years I visited one particular antiques ("junk"?) shop in Minnesota, and they always had lots of pinback buttons from the general area. I was a sucker for that sort of thing, and I bought a lot of them (they were ridiculously cheap). So you'll see more similar buttons as I go through the bag.
Button #2: In 1950 there was a little-remembered Expo or Fair in Chicago, sort of a mini-World's Fair. Its theme was "Frontiers of Freedom". The Chicago Fair of 1950 was an exposition that celebrated American achievements in agriculture, commerce, industry, and science, aiming to showcase a vision of a high-standard American living. It also featured a large-scale living dramatization of American history. The fair, held along Lake Michigan in Jackson Park, included a mile-long exhibit showcasing the latest innovations in rail travel, automobiles, and architecture, including cigarette-smoking robots. (It) was a major event, drawing millions of visitors and influencing culture, society, and even American architecture and the arts.
The twisty thingamajig is the "Spiramid", pictured in concept artwork as being a soaring structure, perhaps 100+ feet tall. But funding must have been lacking, because they only built a small version, maybe 20 feet tall (with a downgraded name, the "Pyramid Sculpture"), and a lot of that was a tall base. Too bad! You'll probably see more about the Spiramid on this blog someday.
Pinback(s) #3: Here's a pair of vintage buttons that were given out as part of a campaign to encourage children to save their money at their local bank. If they joined the Savings Club (or Savings Rodeo), they would receive a different button depending on the amount of money in their account. Tenderfoot, Wrangler, Bulldogger, Bronco Buster, Trail Boss (that were issued as account grew from $2 to $125) and 2.25" dia. litho Straw Boss and Foreman "Honor Circle" buttons (that were issued as account grew to $250 and $500).
Pinback #4: I always love a lenticular button, and here's one from Magic Mountain, in Valencia, California. I always like seeing one of the cheerful trolls, an indication that this is an early item: In 1972, Magic Mountain began using trolls as the park mascots. The trolls King Blop, also known as King Troll, Bleep, Bloop, and the Wizard became recognizable symbols of Magic Mountain. Six Flags purchase the park in 1979, and the characters were retired, though I believe they are still used on rare occasions.
Pinback #5: Here's a fun novelty button sold (or given away?) at the Fleet Wing Carnival (whatever that was) in Lambertville, New Jersey. Lambertville is on the banks of the Delaware River, across from New Hope, Pennsylvania. Besides the colorful lithography featuring Uncle Sam, the main attraction is the simulated (but pretty realistic) firecracker attachment!
Pinback #6: Zorro, (Zorro), The fox so cunning and free; Zorro, (Zorro),Who makes the sign of the 'Z'. Man, did they hire Sondheim to write those lyrics?? "Zorro" was a hit "action-adventure Spanish western" TV series that ran from October 10, 1957 until July 2, 1959 (with four hour-long specials that aired on Walt's anthology TV show in 1960 and 1961. I remember playing with Zorro toys when I was kid, but it had to have been in syndication by then. If you wear this button and are pulled over for speeding, the police will let you go with a warning.
I hope you have enjoyed today's PINS FROM THE BAG!
Major-
ReplyDeleteI'm going to take a wild guess and agree with you the birthday boy is indeed the lad wearing the bowtie. I'm thinking this is the case as he is handling a 'strip' of 3D slides in his left hand, and a Tru-vue Stereoscopic 3D Viewer in his right hand. The 'Mom' definitely needs a daytime TV cooking show - she's all ready to go with that massive set of pearls and apron-!
HAPPY belated BIRTHDAY David-!
I wish you hadn't given-away the secret about talking your way out of a speeding ticket by flashing your ZORRO button - I was able to leverage that very trick just last week. (I'm certain the addition of simultaneously wearing the mask had little effect).
Thanks, Major (and Sue).
Well, as long as you were engaged in something as earth-shatteringly important as watching reality TV, then I suppose we'll forgive your oversight, Major. ;-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday DW! Or rather, Happy Unbirthday, as the case may be.
I bet Mom's pearls are plastic 'pop-it' beads that pull apart. My mom wore those back then, too. I can see a swing set through the window. And something interesting in the back ground, but I can't make out what it is. The girl in blue looks like her brain was eaten by a voracious alien parasite.
Thanks for the vintage photo, Sue. They are always fun.
Pin #1: Of course today, Gackle is probably a thriving metropolis of 500 or so.
Pin #2: Whatever happened to cigarette-smoking robots? They were a big thing in 1950, and now? They've disappeared into the ether, like the flying cars we were promised. TRE. The "Spiramid" is an interesting concept; looks kinda neat!
Hopalong Cassidy pins: Hmm, they don't exactly instill in me the urge to increase my savings. They should be more colorful! They should be lenticular flashers! They should taste like Snozzberries!
Magic Mountain pins: Now this is more like it! This is what the bank pins should've looked like.
Firecracker novelty: I bet not many of these survive intact. Most kids (like me) would've lit the 'fuse' to make it go 'BANG!'. Only to have the firecracker melt into a blob or burn up.
Zorro: Not colorful, but fitting, since Zorro wore black. If I designed this pin, the "Z" would've been written as slash marks, as if by Zorro's sword. I think you can still watch Zorro on some channel or other.
I'm gonna go with the Magic Mountain pin today. It's colorful, and I've always been fascinated by lenticular pictures. Thanks, Major.
Not to be needy, but did anybody see my late comment on Tom's Treehouse? It calls attention to "40 Pounds of Trouble", a movie that features said treehouse.
ReplyDeleteI just went back to read it, thanks for mentioning it here. I guess I’ll have to watch that movie, just to get all the Park references. Thank you!
DeleteJG
I love lenticular buttons! That Magic Mountain one is the same size and has the same type of metal backing as the Disneyland lenticular buttons. It's also the same as a couple that were made for Knott's Berry Farm, as well as Japanese Village and Deer Park. I'm assuming that they were made by the same company?
ReplyDeleteI do like that Zorro button a lot, but Magic Mountain/"Get High On Fun" button is my favorite out of this batch.
Thanks, Major! And happy belated birthday to David W., and anyone else who has had a birthday recently.
Happy birthday David W! Many happy returns of the day! Celebrate whoever you like!
ReplyDeleteSo much familiar in photo 1, Venetian blinds, window air conditioner, vinyl chairs, cabinet pulls, even the door knob. Happy birthday little guy!
Gackle, a singularly ineuphonious name. I’m in debt to you, Major. I would never know of its existence without you.
The Spiramid, what a name, what an idea. Some things should just be left alone.
I like those bank pins, get started saving early! Why don’t banks do this now?
I remember the MM Trolls, their beginning and demise roughly bracket my visits there. I like those scene-shifting buttons.
Good lucking getting through airport security wearing that firecracker pin.
My favorite today has to be Zorro. I watched all of it on Disney + before cancelling the subscription.
Thanks Major!
JG
Nanook, oh, great observation on the Tru-Vue card and viewer! I have one of the viewers somewhere. Probably should sell it, since I never use it. But it’s all part of my old Viewmaster/3D fascination. I think you can still use your Zorro button, since not many people read my blog!
ReplyDeleteJB, I don’t know, my mom just had my sister go through her jewelry box, and there were a lot of pearls. It’s funny how much they were “the thing” back then. I do sometimes see women wearing tasteful strings of pearls, but not like in the old days. We don’t need cigarette-smoking robots, now that robots are our masters. We smoke cigarettes for THEM. I suppose those Hopalong Cassidy pins could be a bit more exciting to look at, but Hoppy was so popular that his name was enough, apparently. I do wonder if some of those firecracker pins were ever lit by kids! And yes, black and white is appropriate for Zorro, the show was B&W after all.
DBenson, I did see your “40 Pounds of Trouble” comment, but sometimes after a long day I have to sort of “check out” of the blog. There’s the stuff you don’t see, scanning photos, cropping, adjusting, and then making the actual posts! Sometimes I just have to be “done” for the day. But I am ALWAYS appreciative of your comments; I’ve only see clips of the “running around Disneyland” segment of 40PoT, it’s interesting to see that clear color footage, even if it makes no sense. I’ve heard that the movie is kind of so-so, which is why I’ve never made a real effort to watch it!
JG, you can probably stream the movie on Amazon Prime, or just go to YouTube and watch the Disneyland bits, like I did.
TokyoMagic!, I like lenticular buttons too. I can’t recall if the MM pin has the maker printed on the back… some do, some don’t. “Vari-Vue” was the company, I believe. “Get High On Fun”, considering how upset people got when John Denver or The Beatles said anything about getting “high”, I guess that pin was pretty naughty.
JG, I think that the Junior Gorillas should plan a grand vacation - destination, Gackle, ND! The Spiramid would have probably been pretty cool had it been built full-size… I have a photo of the mini version that was underwhelming to put it mildly. And yeah, why don’t banks have promotions anymore? Remember the old jokes about getting a toaster if you opened an account? I remember seeing the MM trolls early on, I miss them, and even though I love the Looney Tunes characters, I’m not that thrilled to see them at MM. I’m going to wear that firecracker pin the next time I fly anywhere and see what happens!
Major, Sue, Nanook, JB, TokyoMagic! & JG- Thanks for the belated birthday wishes! Cool lenticular Magic Mountain button.
ReplyDelete-DW
Now I know why none of those kids are smiling, and look rather confused. They know they aren't celebrating on the correct day. But, thankfully, DW is easy-going and still loves us in spite of the party mix-up. Happy Belated Birthday, DW, and I hope you celebrate your birthday ALL week, with lots of cake and ice cream and boysenberry pie, and everything you love!
ReplyDeleteDBenson, I also saw your comments from yesterday. I always watch the previous 2 or 3 days, for any late comments. I never want to miss any. Everyone always has something interesting or fun to add -- thanks for commenting!
Major, your comments about your mom's pearls made me remember something... Year ago, when I was going through my grandmother's jewelry box [after her passing] and found a beautiful set of pearls -- but didn't know [and couldn't tell] if they were real or not (this was before the internet), I was told to put one pearl in vinegar. Real pearls dissolve in vinegar. Needless to say, I did not try that. (It turned out they were not real.)
I do think a Jr. Gorillas gathering in Gackle would be good, Major. And lots of fun! I looked up the town on the internet, and see that they are "known for" being the home to the Gackle Public Library. Fascinating. Also "many former residents and members of the Gackle family reside in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Colorado." Not a surprise.
Thanks, Major.
Happy (belated) birthday DW.
ReplyDeleteI really like those clown cups at the kids party. I'd use those as my everyday dishes.
DW, hooray, I’m glad you checked in today!
ReplyDeleteLou and Sue, I am guessing that DW is like me… the actual birthday is not as important; if somebody wishes me a happy birthday five days later (or whatever), I’m just as happy to get it then. Oh man, boysenberry pie and ice cream, YES! On a side note, there was a jar of Knott’s boysenberry preserves in my mom’s garage cupboard. I brought it in, and used it for a PB&J. It was just OK. But it’s great when warmed up in the microwave and then poured over vanilla ice cream! My mom always says that if you rub a pearl from a necklace against your front teeth, a real pearl will feel rough, while a fake one will be totally smooth. I’ve never had a chance to try it! Wow, the Gackle Public Library, that place must be intense. We won’t care how much the librarian shushes us!
Dean Finder, ha, I forgot to mention the clown cups (and the clown plates)!
DBenson, I meant to respond to your comment and say yes, I have seen the movie. I remember catching it on TV when I was a kid, and being very jazzed to see the DL footage. I have a copy of it now, and it isn't a bad movie, but it's not incredible. However, the vintage DL footage is VERY cool!
ReplyDelete“Vari-Vue” was the company, I believe.
Major, that was it! I forgot that some of the buttons have that name printed on the back. Or maybe it's on a sticker affixed to the back of some of the buttons.