Some Tacky Early Seventies Stamp-Related Wall Art!

Not postage stamps per se, but definitely stamp-related. I picked these up from a local thrift store. They were originally priced at $130 each, but after about a month and they were still sitting there, I approached the owner and said "Boy, they're taking up a lot of space... how about $40 for the pair?" And so they're mine.

They're approximately 20 inches wide, 28 inches tall and 2.5 inches thick. At first glance (and touch), they appear to be painted wood carvings... but when you pick them up you get a surprise as they are incredibly light. They're molded "vanathane", produced by Vanguard Studios in 1973.

Some may think they're ticky-tack 1970s schlock, but I think they'll look wonderful on the wall each facing the fireplace (said wall covered in 1960s wood-grain paneling, so they'll fit right in).

And what does your spouse / significant other think? All kidding aside, they are very interesting and unique. Congrats on your purchase.

Haha, fantastic.
Here's mine, a needlepoint someone mounted and framed.

Well, she doesn't mind... as most cats tend not to pay attention to wall coverings unless they are climbable or perch-worthy.

(Are ya kiddin'? There's not a woman on the planet insane enough to tolerate me...)

1st thought - those are really hideous
2nd thought - where can I find a pair for myself

OMG, those are so fantastic! I love it....I grew up in the 1970's so I would have loved to have found these as well. Congrats on finding them.

Neat stuff.

I was curious about what Vanguard Studios did. There is a lot of their stuff on ebay, but not a lot of explanation. This was about all I found in some brief searches:

That makes sense to me and aligns with what little I've been able to glean online. The one other image I found online shows some differences in the paint colors... cool, printing varieties!

Those are both glorious and appalling. Gloriously appalling? Appallingly glorious? Maybe some of each? :)

I actually recently acquired a piece of philatelic art too - this is a 1935 lithograph by Philadelphia artist Benton Spruance, called "The Philatelists." Been looking for one of these for a while! (the edition was supposedly only 25, though I see this one is numbered out of 26. Spruance wasn't always careful about his numbering).

Not sure but I think the Lincoln head might be a re-perf on the left side! (might need to get the big gauge out).

Nice items!

Hobsun

They need certs, they might be counterfeits......

Fun fact: vanathane is now used almost exclusively for making wheels for rollerskates.

Hobsun wrote:


Don't know about the left side, but the top right is in need of a re-perf.

I'm pretty sure they're forgeries. And yes, they are definitely uncomfortable to look at. For me, they'd go in the garage, not the LR or BR. My wife has her limits, but so do I, and I'm not looking at those plastic things all the time.

Well allrightythen...

As for vintage 1960s and 1970s decorations, the red/blue one arrived last week to join the other two in the TV room.