A couple of years ago when we had a booth at an antique mall, we found a pair of pictures of lutes which were produced by Turner Manufacturing Company. Instead of being sold, they made their way to the living room wall in my daughter and SIL's house. The pictures are in 10" x 34" shadowbox frames and are most likely painted chalkware. Recently we found another picture with the same markings, and we became curious about the history of all three pieces.
The Turner Manufacturing Company was, at one time, the largest producer of affordably priced decorative art and mirrors in the United States. The company went out of business around 1975. Their wall art was sold in department stores and "five & dimes" and is still relatively easy to find.
Much of what they produced was prints of "Old Masters," but they also manufactured some very cool modern pictures. I may be biased, but I think ours falls in that category.
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Turner... They make some of the coolest mid-century shadow boxes for your wall, too!!
ReplyDeleteTurner manufacturing label but have not been able to find one like it. It's a mold of a cream and gold 3 masted schooner ship in a shadow box. Any info much appreciated
DeleteI have a shadow box by Turner number8362 I wondered the year it was made and if it was worth any amount of money
ReplyDeleteJeff, from what I've read, Turner mass produced these pictures, so there are still a lot of them floating around. I would think a fair price for most of them, depending on size and condition, would be from $25-75, so they're not terribly valuable...just a nice, authentic piece to hang on your wall if you're looking for period accuracy.
ReplyDeleteHi there, I recently came across an interesting Turner wall accessory mirror. It measures 25" x 25" x 4" deep. The frame is a wood with what looks like black splatter or string like art going through it. The interesting thing is this mirror plugs in and has what appears to be 3 circular items that rotate around inside the mirror kind of like a hologram. They are very faint, and I am thinking maybe there is a light that has burned out. I have been searching for a few hours and come across nothing like it through google searches. I was hoping perhaps someone here could lead me in the right direction. Please let me know. hafemanm1@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThat sounds very interesting, but I've never run across anything like it, so I'm no help. I hope a reader can steer you in the right direction.
DeleteI recently purchased a beautiful mirror from a man's estate sell. It has Turner Manufacturing on the back of it, along with engraved numbers. How can I look up the numbers? It is 43 inches long and 23 inches wide. mrsckelley@ymail.com
ReplyDeleteI wish I could help you, but I don't know the names of any Turner collectors or any websites dedicated to Turner products. I hope a reader at some time will be able to contact you with some useful information.
DeleteI have a Turner mfg. co. Fashion Plate mirror with no frame but it has beautiful floral like pattern all around 4 sides. Tag on the back says No. 1938
DeleteSize. 30"x40"
Built to an ideal of perfection
Chicago 23
I have a floral fashion plate mirror with Chicago 23 on it as well, it was my grandmothers🖤
Deletewow..this is soo weird my mom worked for turner mfg co for about twenty years. they were located on the west side of Chicago on Ogden street. it was terrible the way they treated their employees when they went out of business. the employees showed up for work and found the doors/gates chained and security guards .on alert! one of the managers bought the "molding" machines etc. and moved the operation to Los Angeles.. my mom has passed away, however there are still people that worked for turner who may have some information.. if you have items that you want to know about email me a pic or item numbr. if i can findout any info i'll let you know. scrabble3000@lycos.com peace.. cee
ReplyDeleteWhat a horrible way to find out you're out of a job! I'm sure some of my readers may take you up on the offer to help them get information. Thanks!
DeleteI worked at Turner Mfg. from 1962 until I went into the Air Force in 1965. My job title was Picture Production Control Clerk. I wonder if I may have known your mother.
Delete~ Bob Meyer
vibeman11@verizon.net
hey bob lol..i forgot my blog name [never use it much] not sure of when my mom started
Deletebut her name was Easter Randle, a few others that worked there, g barlow, m jackson, lonnie?
My Mother worked at Turner in the 1940s and my Brother in the 1970s. My Mother was very good long time friends of Irving Schinder.
DeleteI'd really love to know the address of the company in Chicago, you said it was on Ogden Avenue? I live knowing what went on in a building in the past. Unless of course they have torn it down?
DeleteI think the address is 4147 Ogden Ave.
DeleteI recently acquired a large framed print with a small plate on the bottom front of the frame that says A. Albo Sunset on the Snow. The back of the framed print has the Turner Mfg. Co. tag. When I looked Turner Mfg. Co up on the internet it says see also Douglas Art Co., Inc. At one time Douglas Art was one of America's top producers of art reproductions, some of which were reproductions of Masters' works such as August Albo. I also learned that Douglas Art had a copyright for such a portrait by A. Albo called "Sunset on the Snow" no. 3535/6Dec1961/k64692. The print, with what I believe to be the original frame 44"w X 28 1/2"h and is a picture of a winding trail with a mailbox and cabin in the right forefront with tall mountains covered in snow in the background. What is so striking about the print is that the mountains have a large reddish glow to them (hence the sunset) but the sun is not in the picture. I have looked everywhere and cannot find an original painting or a reproduced print of August Albo's "Sunset on the Snow" even though one supposedly exists. Even looked under Russian art since Albo spent much of his early years there. Anyone know anything about A. Albo or Sunset on the Snow?
ReplyDeleteSorry, but I can't offer you any help about that specific work. All I know is that most of those companies employed a stable of artists, some reproducing the work of other, more famous artists. Some companies had all the artists working under one pseudonym. They cranked out tons of affordable art prints, mostly landscapes and cityscapes.
DeleteThe painting does indeed exist - I have one. It is exactly as you describe it - with a light grey frame. Condition is very good but the frame is a bit worn and a small nail hole on the top edge. I plan to sell the piece so if you are interested - please reply. I can take photos of the painting if you wish.
Deletei have a turner wall accessory item number 3871 V90 "the blue ribbon " its called, on the back of frame original turner tag still attached ,in really good condition i would like to know what its worth it looks like late 50s early to late 60s i bought it at a thrift store i would like to see what its worth their are no online information outlets to see for myself and online appraisers always asking for money to look into it please feel free to notify me on this
ReplyDeleteIf I were you, I wouldn't pay anyone to appraise a Turner piece. They're kitschy and fun in the right setting, but they have very little value as a collectible. In fact, they're probably not worth a lot more than you paid for them at a thrift store.
DeleteOh no no no 5 and dime. Turner made mostly higher end pieces sold in furniture stores. I have many magnificent mirrors in my home from Turner.
DeleteI have a painting that I bought in the latter 1970's in Korvetts a low end store of years ago. I paid $40.00 for it. Just enjoy it. Not worth too much.
DeleteI have a turner wall art # 3851 of an old man with a long beard praying, what is it worth?
ReplyDeleteI have two Turner wall art #1215 J33 carriages silhouette T46,what is it worth?
ReplyDeleteAnyone out there with information on the pier mirror with marble console table (hall mirror with two-leg, marble top console table)? My mother has one. She's had it for as long as I can remember and I'm 50. It's got the Turner label under the table with the numbers 838.
ReplyDeleteDid you find info on it?
DeleteI have the same one and can't find anything out:(
DeleteWe have a print of the Turner Manufacturings two cockatoos. It almost feels painted on a very thick cardboard.On the back there is what looks like the outline of the companies two flamingo print. What can you tell me about this? And of course, the value. I'm guessing $60.
ReplyDeleteI really don't know a lot about Turner Manufacturing pieces. We only had a few in the store, and I thought they were very cool, but they didn't sell well. I'd say that, around the Dallas/Fort worth area at least, it would go on Craigslist or at an antique mall for $20-40.
DeleteThank you Dana.
DeleteMy daughter has a Turner Matador - painting called "The Challenge". It is a pretty large painting. We also were wondering about the value.
ReplyDeleteFrom previous comments it seems most are of little value. Has anyone seen The Challenge for sale anywhere??
I have a turnet piece called Dutch Village. Is there any worth to it number on the card is 44471z. Thanks anyone
ReplyDeleteTurner
DeleteHas anyone come across The Lovers by Man Ray?
ReplyDeleteI have a painting (not a print/litho) of an exact reproduction of a Margaret/Walter Keane "Big Eyes" painting entitled NO DOGS ALLOWED. When I say exact, I mean exact. It is signed by Valon. The brass plate that TMC is so famous for using is tacked to the bottom of the frame and also says 'Valon'. TMC would often contract artists to reproduce famous paintings. The original Keane painting was done in 1963, I believe, so the repro would have obviously be done after '63. Does anyone know anything about this artist, Valon? I can find nothing.
ReplyDelete-Don Johnson
I have a Turner print, I'm guessibg, that is labeled Fishermans Quay C. Levier...any ideas on how much it may be worth?
ReplyDeleteYou've finally met the girl of your dreams and you're ready to pop the question. Before you do, you have the tough job of picking out the perfect diamond for your bride to be. It used to be a lot easier, since there were pretty standard cuts being offered Diamond Tough shelters
ReplyDeleteI have 2 pictures but they ate meant as one the first has a rocking chair and the other has a fireplace the item# RPG8I0 7x14 EA AM SC 2 19231
ReplyDeleteAny info would be hepful
Also it's in a shadow box frame
DeleteI found a light up Mirror. It is Called an Infinity mirror. Not real sure about it. Does anyone have any info?
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Darrell
It is made by Turner of course. 😁
DeleteI have acquired a hand made collage with the TMC (Turner) tag on the back item name and control number etc. hand pencil signed on the matting. "Still life with fruit" (Peaches in a bowl) 64/ and either Larry or Lacey 1978. any ideas? And I thought they closed in 1975?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing nice post...
ReplyDeleteBuy high quality framed mirrors in Dallas Ft Worth and nearest DFW suburbs. SBC Decor offers a wide variety of wholesale mirrors in Dallas Fort Worth. Shop for the perfect framed mirror today!
Decorative Wall Mirror Dallas Ft Worth
I have a set of two framed art pieces by Turner Wall Accessory. They consists of sailingships. Item # 2667 1710. I have no idea of the value of each
ReplyDeleteBought my mom, infinity mirror late 70s, don't know the brand
ReplyDeleteI have a Turner of a woman playing a piano, is it worth anything??
ReplyDeleteTurner Manufacturing Company building located:
ReplyDelete4147 W. Ogden Avenue Chicago, IL
(Historic U.S. Rt. 66).
See real estate listing:
https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/4147-W-Ogden-Ave-Chicago-IL/13215967/
I have a "G752 8x15 D312 Dueling Pistol TA18" and so far all I see is
ReplyDeleteMissing:G752....! Can you give me a ballpark figure on what it may be worth? Thank You,Walt Mazz.
I just bought a beautiful mirror by Turner Mfg Co Chicago, gold label on lower left front, of a flamingo and a tree...
ReplyDeleteI found a couple of very nice flower paintings, #1488, in excellent condition, at a thrift store the other day. Not my usual taste, but I love them!
ReplyDeleteI rescued a print from the garbage that is titled Fisherman's Quay by Charles Levier that was sold by Turner Manufacturing... any information anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated
ReplyDeleteOh my God I was so happy to see the building where I worked back in 1974 it’s been 50 years. I was about 16 years old at the time I worked on the right building.
ReplyDeleteI don’t remember if it was the second or third floor I mostly worked packing mirrors, every now and then they would send me to the other building where they used to make the frames and they also did the pictures I think I remember three names of my coworkers, Peter Willie and Jimmy, Only God knows where they at by now. blessings!
Cleaning out my parents home and found this picture of a vessel. Lid has a lion on top. Vessel appears to have 2 handles, a horse upper body with wings, a face on the chest, and a ram farther back on the body. Colors are blue and white. Anybody have one of these?
ReplyDelete