Recent Thrift Store Finds
Found this at the Gangster Thrift Store (50 cents) in the Christmas decoration section. It is made of Bakelite, and is stamped on the bottom "MADE IN THE U S ZONE GERMANY" (so that dates it between 1945-1949). I assumed that it was a Baby Jesus, but upon reflection I'm not so sure. Several aspects are confusing.
First, this baby is crawling, and therefore not a newborn.
Second, he is dressed in the robe and crown of monarchy. Baby Jesus prefers swaddling clothes (trademark symbol).
Third, the crown sits askew on his head, in somewhat comical manner. Baby Jesus is somber (It is regrettable that one of the Wise Men wasn't a comedian, but perhaps God didn't want to risk being upstaged.)
Fourth, the child is blond hair and blue-eyed, which might provoke an unfortunate trail of thought that leads to the concentration camp and the gas chamber.
So, I'm thinking that this figure is actually a Baby New Year, or an advertising icon of some sort, for a champagne manufacturer perhaps. That, or the first depiction of the Baby Superman.
A first edition of "Less Than Zero" ($3, Laurel Salvation Army). The cover sucks--they should've hired larystienli:
24 B-Movie Horror VHS tapes (50 cents each, Security Station Goodwill). My collection is more than 50 now!
This strange object, an Aunt Jemima Waffle Clock (99 cents, Laurel Salvation Army). It is missing its black plastic base, which reads "Aunt Jemima Waffles Stay Fresh Bag." I actually like it without the base--the inscription "Seal in the Freshness Forever," the plastic-entombed waffle, and the ticking clock (which works!), combine together a make a compelling and thought-provoking work of art.
First, this baby is crawling, and therefore not a newborn.
Second, he is dressed in the robe and crown of monarchy. Baby Jesus prefers swaddling clothes (trademark symbol).
Third, the crown sits askew on his head, in somewhat comical manner. Baby Jesus is somber (It is regrettable that one of the Wise Men wasn't a comedian, but perhaps God didn't want to risk being upstaged.)
Fourth, the child is blond hair and blue-eyed, which might provoke an unfortunate trail of thought that leads to the concentration camp and the gas chamber.
So, I'm thinking that this figure is actually a Baby New Year, or an advertising icon of some sort, for a champagne manufacturer perhaps. That, or the first depiction of the Baby Superman.
A first edition of "Less Than Zero" ($3, Laurel Salvation Army). The cover sucks--they should've hired larystienli:
24 B-Movie Horror VHS tapes (50 cents each, Security Station Goodwill). My collection is more than 50 now!
This strange object, an Aunt Jemima Waffle Clock (99 cents, Laurel Salvation Army). It is missing its black plastic base, which reads "Aunt Jemima Waffles Stay Fresh Bag." I actually like it without the base--the inscription "Seal in the Freshness Forever," the plastic-entombed waffle, and the ticking clock (which works!), combine together a make a compelling and thought-provoking work of art.