Author Topic: Vintage Felix and Golliwog Xmas Sign  (Read 4043 times)

Travis Trewin

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Vintage Felix and Golliwog Xmas Sign
« on: September 08, 2012, 06:42:35 am »
Hi, I was looking through an antique store today and came across a quirky metal sign that had Felix the Cat and a Golliwog on it. It read "Do your Xmas shopping early" it had trains down the bottom and appeared to have the London skyline behind them. I can't find any information on the history of this sign or where it was used. I believe it is possibly 1930's vintage. It had rust marks around the outside in places - any idea on value? Thanks.

Travis Trewin

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Re: Vintage Felix and Golliwog Xmas Sign
« Reply #1 on: September 08, 2012, 07:27:35 am »

mart

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Re: Vintage Felix and Golliwog Xmas Sign
« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2012, 10:09:05 am »
neat sign, but whats a golliwog ?? looks like a doll of some sort !!

ACStanley

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Re: Vintage Felix and Golliwog Xmas Sign
« Reply #3 on: September 08, 2012, 10:22:22 am »
Between the font, colors, style and the fact that Felix was introduced in 28' I would agree with 30s prob mid 30s...

bigwull

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Re: Vintage Felix and Golliwog Xmas Sign
« Reply #4 on: September 08, 2012, 11:31:54 am »
In the Western World, the definition of a Golliwog..is "its an Ethnic doll"...the term Golliwog has been deemed as racist...in certain parts of the world...see link


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1136016/How-golliwog-went-innocent-childrens-hero-symbol-bitter-controversy.html
I make no excuses,and no apologies....but i like a good Malt,

ghopper1924

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Re: Vintage Felix and Golliwog Xmas Sign
« Reply #5 on: September 08, 2012, 08:46:23 pm »
"Golly gee, golly gosh, don't call me your golliwog"

-Hugh Cornwell
"I collect antiques because they're beautiful."

-Broderick Crawford

mart

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Re: Vintage Felix and Golliwog Xmas Sign
« Reply #6 on: September 09, 2012, 03:05:17 pm »
sounds like some sort of fish to me !!  never heard that term !!

bigwull

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Re: Vintage Felix and Golliwog Xmas Sign
« Reply #7 on: September 09, 2012, 03:51:09 pm »
You have indeed led a sheltered life Mart...if you,ve never heard of a Golliwog...when i was young we were able to collect little golliwog stickers that were on a Robertsons jamjar,then once you,d collected 12 you sent them to the makers and got a "gold"and enamelled badge in return....these badges were once much sought after....
I make no excuses,and no apologies....but i like a good Malt,

mart

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Re: Vintage Felix and Golliwog Xmas Sign
« Reply #8 on: September 09, 2012, 06:50:21 pm »
perhaps !!  or just different cultures !!  we collected cereal box tops for stuff like that !!

greenacres

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Re: Vintage Felix and Golliwog Xmas Sign
« Reply #9 on: September 09, 2012, 07:46:39 pm »
Or jelly glasses with characters or prints. I have several.
" Energy and Persistence conquer all things."

bigwull

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Re: Vintage Felix and Golliwog Xmas Sign
« Reply #10 on: September 10, 2012, 03:58:26 am »
Yeah,cereal tops etc.. were similar....but here in the UK....what we took for granted with some advertising logo,s...stopped with the mass influx of different cultures....who then deemed our little golly badges..to be racist....and the same thing happened with a certain brand of coffee.......see link,

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-404516/Camp-coffee-forced-change-label-PC-brigade.html
I make no excuses,and no apologies....but i like a good Malt,

mart

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Re: Vintage Felix and Golliwog Xmas Sign
« Reply #11 on: September 10, 2012, 07:14:54 pm »
Or jelly glasses with characters or prints. I have several.

wish i still had a set of the small ones !! used to never have to buy glasses,, just buy more jelly !!

greenacres

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Re: Vintage Felix and Golliwog Xmas Sign
« Reply #12 on: September 10, 2012, 08:26:46 pm »
I use them for orange juice. Perfect size.
" Energy and Persistence conquer all things."

Travis Trewin

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Re: Vintage Felix and Golliwog Xmas Sign
« Reply #13 on: September 13, 2012, 06:03:51 am »
After some research it appears that the sign is Australian (country in which I live and found the sign). Felix the Cat first appeared in 1919, and as this is clearly an early version of Felix, it is most likely that the sign is early 1920's. Because trains are depicted on the bottom of the sign it is likely it was displayed in train stations. As to WHY shoppers were encouraged to shop early for Christmas I do not know. I have found two that sold at auction, one in Australia in 2004 for $1,350 and one in the USA in 2005 for $1,200. The image of Felix and the Golliwog on the sign has become a popular pop culture image and is available on everything from T-shirts to mouse pads. As to who created it and why is a mystery.

bigwull

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Re: Vintage Felix and Golliwog Xmas Sign
« Reply #14 on: September 13, 2012, 10:40:13 am »
Golliwogs are a taboo subject now,here in UK....most toy shops still sell them, but they are now called Ethnic dolls....because they have been classed as a racist symbol.but...here,s the rub...In Blackpool...England s answer to Coney Island  ...the shops are full of them...and their called Golliwogs.....and 90% of the shopkeepers are......Muslim.... and 3.to 4 years ago, the local council received complaints from non muslim shopkeepers, because they were not allowed to call them golliwogs.....the worlds gone NUTS!
I make no excuses,and no apologies....but i like a good Malt,