Have you ever passed by a flea market table or garage sale and seen a small plaster statue of an old TV character or film star? Chances are this was a piece of carnival chalkware, a category of pop culture collectable that's becoming very popular in certain circles. So what is it about these odd figurines that makes people seek them out?
Dixie Feldman spends most of her Saturdays picking through the clothing racks at New York City's 26th street flea market. Feldman is a dedicated collector of unique antique items and an expert in antique clothing, paint by number drawings, Hawaiiana, carnival chalkware and all things vintage. Here she explains the history of carnival chalkware and offers tips for starting a collection:
- Carnival prizes.
Carnival chalkware pieces are busts or figurines that were given away as prizes in carnivals and state fairs in the 20's, 30's, and 40's. They're the sorts of things that a sailor might have won for his girl at a carny's booth.
- Very fragile.
These pieces were manufactured cheaply, and most are constructed of plaster. Many were likely taken home from the fair, put on a shelf and forgotten about, and Feldman finds it touching that so many of these very fragile items have survived into the 21st century.
- Pop icons of the early 20th century.
Often times, carnival chalkware pieces were icons of the day, like Mae West, Popeye, or The Lone Ranger. This makes them all the more collectable now.
- Scour flea markets and bid online.
According to Feldman, you can sometimes find carnival chalkware at flea markets and garage sales, but an easier way to start a collection is to search online auctions like Ebay.
- Lucky buyers find bargains.
Very lucky buyers might pick up a piece for a nickel or a dime at a garage sale, but examples of caravel chalkware more commonly cost anywhere from $25 dollars all the way up to hundreds of dollars.
For more information about collecting vintage items and pop culture ephemera, check out the following organizations or websites:
The Antique and Collectible Exchange
www.tace.com/index
Carnival Chalkware Books
www.vepoware.com/Chalkware
HGTV: Tiki Collecting
www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_utc
Polynesian Pop Paradise
members.tripod.com/~artistguy
CBS Early Show: Collecting Hawaii
www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/02/22
Vintage Hawaiiana
www.hawaiiana-shop.com
Next: Wind-Up Toys
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