But that's just the beginning. There are a lot of other collectable boat cushions floating around out there. Here are two 1929 Sears & Roebuck models with leaping fish that sold for about $10 each--a bargain!
Here's one that just showed up on eBay and that I would not be shocked to find is also an Elgin/Sears & Roebuck product:
Sometimes these vintage boat cushions cross into other collectable categories. Here are two racially-tinged and nautical themed vintage boat cushions:
Here is the same theme without the racist undertones:
This set of three nautical boat cushions sold for $50 each.
Here is one showing a variety of seafaring knots.
There are a lot of less flashy vintage life preservers for sale. Here are four that sold from $10-$20 each:
That's just the tip of the ice berg. I started following vintage boat cushions about a year ago when this baby showed up on eBay:
Maybe the only difference between a $20 vintage boat cushion and a $200 one is a picture of a pinup on the front of a cushion!
All in all, vintage boat cushions would make for an interesting and colorful display, and I suspect they often go for high prices to decorate summer homes and cottages. I'll keep my eye out for any new ones and update them on the blog when I get enough information.
-- Dr. Todd
As I was writing this, the following two cushions were just added up on eBay:
4 comments:
Two important corrections.
These cushions are from the 1950s and 1960s. The tags that show the date of 1929 are compliance tags. These were required to be placed on the cushions by laws that were imposed in 1929. The date on the tag has nothing to do with the date the product was manufactured.
As for the racial undertones on some of the pillows - there aren't any.
"Blackie" was a popular name for many characters - from pirates,to swhasbuckling sailors, to outlaw gang leaders. The name blackie in this case was Admiral Blackie, a black Sea Lion.
If there were racial undertones - the would have been much more obvious and degrading. And the character would surely not be in a place of leadership - such as an Admiral.
I have bookmarked your blog, the articles are way better than other similar blogs.. thanks for a great blog!
Nautical antiques
I have a rules of the road cushions in very good condition
I find it interesting that you note racial undertones for Admiral Blackie vintage cushion.
Admiral John "Blackie" Weinel was in fact a true Admiral.https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sandiegouniontribune/obituary.aspx?n=john-weinel&pid=1980665
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