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All That Jazz – Wall Decor from the 1950’s



Jazz Musician Plaster Wall Plaques – circa 1955

You can almost hear the sax and the bass coming from these fabulous mid-1950’s decorative wall plaques. Plaster (or chalk) wall decor was prevalent in the 1950’s but often leaned more to the traditional in their theme. These modern beauties have a sculptural feel reminiscent of the figures by Alberto Giacometti.

What is also unique about this quartet is simply the fact they have survived intact and without a chip. These mid-century marvels are currently on display at The Purple Moon.

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Holt-Howard Cantaloupe Bowls – 1959


Set of 4 Bowls – Cantaloupe Pattern – Holt-Howard – 1959

The Holt-Howard Company of Stamford, CT was formed in 1948 by John and Robert Howard and A. Grant Holt and produced some the more whimsical household and kitchen items of the post-WWII period. Most of the ceramic items, like the set of bowls shown in the Cantaloupe pattern, were produced in Japan.

The Cantaloupe line had cups, a coffee server, cream and sugar plus a condiment set in addition to these bowls. This line is relatively scarce having been in production only in 1959.

Virtually all Holt-Howard items are marked and dated which makes collecting these pieces easy – if you can find them. In my experience good pieces, free of chips or other damage, are not frequently obtainable.

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A Visit to Tamarack – The Best of West Virginia


Tamarack – The Best of West Virginia – Beckley, WV

The modern lady and I, along with a couple of friends, ventured to Beckley last weekend for a visit to Tamarack. This Mountain State treasure has half a million visitors annually and serves as a one-stop shop and showcase for West Virginia culture, heritage, handcrafts, fine art, regional cuisine and music.

After enjoying a wonderful meal at A Taste of West Virginia food court, managed by The Greenbrier, we casually browsed the fabulous selection of goods by West Virginia crafts people. The depth and range of our artistic community in the state is mind boggling. As always, I was impressed and surprised by the number of modernist designs executed utilizing traditional, folk arts and crafts techniques. 

If you haven’t visited Tamarack you should make a trip this Autumn. The scenery on the way is breathtaking, the food delicious and the art beyond compare. If you have been there before, as I have been many times, there are always new things to see. From furniture to Blenko Glass to some of the best pottery you will ever see Tamarack does indeed feature The Best of West Virginia.

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Birth of the Space Age – Sputnik 1 – October 4, 1957


Model of Sputnik 1 – NASA

Today marks the 51st anniversary of the launching of Sputnik  1, the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth, and the beginning of the “space age” which transformed science, culture and design in the last half of the 20th Century.

The launch and orbiting of Sputnik 1 was a great source of pride for the U.S.S.R. and served as a wake-up call to the United States which resulted in renewed focus on science education and a public investment in space exploration. While the space programs of both Super Powers provided tremendous public morale and enjoyed public support the underlying potential military applications were, in fact, the driving force behind most of so-called “space race”.

The impact of the Sputnik launch and the subsequent frenzy of space exploration certainly can’t be ignored. Virtually every aspect of life, from education to pop culture, were changed in fundamental ways. The dawning of the nuclear age a decade before and the orbiting of Sputnik and emergence of Man’s quest into space are the quintessential events which defined the last half of the 20th Century.

Certainly the influence of these events on modern design can never be denied or underestimated. Led by designers such as Verner Panton, Eero Aarnio and, later, Joe Columbo designs began to reflect what life in space might actually be like and utilized many of the new materials being developed. Boundaries became non-existent in a theoretical and in a practical sense and this was certainly evident in the designing of everything from architecture to household goods and furnishings. A significant and transforming shift occured from the “atomic design” period of the early to late 1950’s to the “space age” period of the 1960’s and early 70’s.

Design of this time period was full of hope for the future and energized by the rapid advances being made. It was a time to dream.

Now, half a century later, I wonder where those dreams have gone and if just some of that hope can ever be restored. I certainly do think we could all use some.

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Campbell’s Soup Cans Before Warhol


Campbell’s Soup Advertisement – American Home Magazine – June 1939


Campbell’s Soup Can Installation – MoMA – Andy Warhol – 1962

I came across this advertisement for Campbell’s Soup while flipping through and old copy of American Home Magazine from June 1939.

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LaGardo Tackett Forma Coffee Server for Schmid


Forma Coffee Server – Schmid International – LaGardo Tackett – 1958

Designer LaGardo Tackett, whose studio in California began producing wonderful architectural pottery in the early 1950’s, did the Forma line of utilitarian ware for Schmid International begining in 1958. This line was distributed in the United States by Richards Morgenthau who operated Raymor.

 This is one of the most sculptural coffee servers I have ever seen. I was fortunate enough to run upon this one on a trip into Southern West Virginia a few weeks ago.

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Mid-Century Artifact – Paradise Restaurant – Screven County, Georgia


Paradise Restaurant – C. Hamsher – 2008

While on a jaunt to visit family in Georgia last week I hit the brakes while cruising through the pecan groves on Rt. 301 in Screven County to behold this mid-century marvel. Sadly standing abandoned this wonderful retro sign and decaying building are artifacts of times past. I’d of given anything to go inside for a burger and shake.

Upon returning home I tried to track down some information on this restaurant and located a postcard which, low and behold, shows what must have been the Paradise’s original sign which must have been there in the 1950’s when the restaurant first opened.


Paradise Restaurant Postcard- circa 1960

While I love to come across places like this in my travels it also saddens me that these architectural and historic structures are going to be lost completely if they are not maintained and preserved.  As the interstate highways  took over and chains prospered at each exit the local flavor of many areas of the country has been lost. Establishments like the Paradise Restaurant flourished in the days when families packed into their car and traveled two-lane roads like Rt. 301.

I, for one, miss that time.

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Daystrom Dinette 1954


Dinette Set – Daystrom Corporation – 1954

First of all, I want this kitchen.

The Daystrom Corporation produced some of the coolest dinette sets to come out of the 1950’s. The one shown is from an advertisement for the company from 1954 when this dinette set could be yours for $155. To put this in perspective, adjusted to 2008 dollars this set cost $1242.30 according to the online consumer price index calculator of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. And this isn’t even one of their higher end models.

Daystrom produced their furnishings on both coasts with a factory in Olean, NY and a Pacific Division in Pasadena, CA. We’ve had a number of these dinette sets over the years, from a number of makers, and have found Daystrom’s design and quality to be superior. Pieces are generally marked with labels under the table and on the seat bottom of the chairs. Daystrom produced furniture into the early 1970’s.

Did I mention that I want this kitchen?

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Heywood-Wakefield 1953


Heywood-Wakefield Advertisement – The American Home Magazine – August 1953

As I had written earlier this week, the pile of The American Home magazines I recently ran across has been a treasure trove of fabulous information, images and style. It is always so nice to see how the vintage items I cherish now were originally presented, utilized, marketed and displayed.

The Heywood-Wakefield ad shown here includes pieces which are part of our collection. The china cabinet, buffet and dining chairs (with the drop leaf whalebone table not shown) all sit in my dining room. This exceptionally styled and crafted furniture is as stylish today as it was 55 years ago.

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Caribbean Cruise


Caribbean Cruise Pilsner Set – Libbey Glass – 1959

These fun glasses from Libbey Glass were introduced in 1959 and only produced through 1961. Unlike the “Golden Foilage” line by Libbey, which was made for most of the 1960’s, this design is much harder to get your hands on and highly sought by fans of Tiki decor. I was lucky enough to come across a set of 14 pilsners and 6 cocktail glasses recently.

Libbey Glass has a long tradition of glass production going back into the 19th Century. The company is still operating as Libbey, Inc. and the company website has the story of their fascinating history.


Caribbean Cruise Cocktail Glass Set – Libbey Glass – 1959

This and other Libbey patterns were heavily marketed by owner Owens-Illinios throughout the 1950’s, 60’s and early 70’s in home decor magazines. I ran across this example from a 1959 Better Homes and Gardens.


Libbey Glass Advertisement – Better Homes and Gardens – 1959

Caribbean Cruise is one of the most playful and entertaining of Libbey’s mid-century designs and, although harder-to-find then some other patterns, is well worth seeking out.

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