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| Nick's monkey, which inspired me to search for information midcenturymidwest.blogspot.com |
For those of you who read this blog regularly, you know that not knowing drives me crazy! I'm just a tad addicted to research, so off I went to Google to learn more. I was immediately drawn to an August 15, 2012 blog post by Robin at Red Line Vintage about her addiction to Zoo Line animals. From her post, I learned that the highly collectible carved wood animals with rubber band-strung movable joints were made in the late 1950s and sold as souvenirs at zoos across the country.
Imagine my surprise as I read further and found that she had linked back to my post about Kay Bojesen, who she said was rumored to be the mastermind behind the Zoo Line animals. Then I found another one of her posts...in which she not only shared some Zoo Line catalogs which disprove the Bojesen rumors but also talked about being featured by Beatriz of Mid Mod Mom (another blog I follow) as part of her ongoing series about the things that vintage sellers keep for themselves. What a wonderful interconnected world we've become!
The upshot of all this is that one of Robin's photos showed two monkeys that look for all the world like Nick's, so if I had to guess, I'd say he scored a Zoo Line piece. What do you think?
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| Just a few of Robin and husband Blake's Zoo Line animals redlinevintage.com |
I hope you have time to check out the Red Line Vintage site. They have so many beautiful items for sale, and they're so cleverly categorized under their "Shop by Collection" tab that I guarantee it will be worth a visit.
If you aren't a follower of Mid-Century Midwest or Mid Mod Mom, I urge you to check them out too. They're consistently well-written, informative and beautiful blogs about great vintage finds.
No monkey business here! .....some seriously cool blogs connected through their thrift passions!
ReplyDeleteI'd love a monkey! .....does the nest need one?
I know just where I'd put a monkey if I had one!
DeleteAdorable animals...especially in teak! I see them from time to time on etsy in Danish shops, but obviously there were a lot of makers due to their popularity. I'd love to have a life size teak one sitting on my bookshelve in the office :)
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like one about the size of Nick's, to sit on my room divider.
DeleteHey Dana. Thanks for the write up! I'll have to start a collection now. Saw the pictures of the new modernist nest and it looks amazing. You all settled in now? Did the SIL ever make it up to MO?
ReplyDeleteDid you check out Robin and Blake's collection? It makes me want to start collecting them too! The daughter and SIL made it to KC, but they had to come home via Wichita to pick up something else he had bought, so they didn't have time to make it to StL. I think a trip up your way is on the to-do list. Yes, I'm all settled in and really enjoying it. I'm glad you like it!
DeleteGreat post! I adore these little guys. I picked one up on Ebay for next to nothing (not sure how that happened) that looks a lot like Nick's. Cool!
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one who doesn't have one of these cool monkeys? I better get cracking.
DeleteThose monkeys are THE business! Now I need one too. lol. xx Also thanks for the links some cool 'new to me' blogs!
ReplyDeleteI've already been scurrying around everywhere looking for monkeys! I hope we both find one. I know you'll enjoy those blogs. They're full of great information about all the stuff we love.
DeleteWoo hoo!!! I just scored two 9" monkeys on eBay! I'll show them to you when they get here.
DeleteOh my, Dana, thank you! I am a big admirer of your blog and I am very happy to be linked by you! Most of the zoo line figures I have found are marked, so there is no way to doubt their origin. I am in contact with a man that is writing a book about zoo line, he would be the one to say if this cute monkey is or is not a zoo-line. Either way I love all monkeys the same!
ReplyDeleteIt's my pleasure to link to your blog, Beatriz. It's always a pleasure to read...and to see what you've found.
DeleteExcellent info. You've answered a few of my own questions. I'll be linking to this too. Thanks Dana.
ReplyDeleteGlad I could help! Hope to see you around often.
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