Well I do know who he is somewhat.
Last Sunday I was at my favorite Goodwill (the only one I normally shop) and was about to head my cart over to the cashier when I spied this heavy little turquoise sporting chalkware piece on the top of a display. For $1.99 I could not pass him up. What with his adorable black cowboy boots, the way he swings his hat in the air behind his head as he grasps the guitar -- he looks like he's just about to burst into song. Surely it wouldn't be Lady Gaga but something fabulous from the 50's like maybe some old Hank Williams or Ferlin Husky.
A couple of days went by and I had put him on the dining room table and picked him up again to give him a closer look since I brought him home. Carved on the inside of his arm holding the hat was a stamp that read, "Universal Statuary Co. Chicago 22, Ill ©1954
It then occurred to me that I'm probably lucky that the Goodwill pricer-upper didn't notice the stamp on this piece or its price might have been much higher.
As any thrifter would, my curiosity got the better of me and I went to the web o' net and started to do some research on Universal Statuary Company. Clicking on that link will bring you to a little history on the small company that is no longer manufacturing these items. Each item produced had a low production rate so they can be quite rare. Some are also numbered as well.
Now that I've gleaned a little more history on chalkware and the company it made me realize how many pieces I'd passed by in thrifts. I'll definitely be keeping my eyes peeled now!
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