Posted 10 years ago
mikelv85
(1230 items)
Our local Salvation Army thrift yielded this heavy 9" figure although it's seen better days. He was basically a rescue and has had a very rough life. The head was broken off and glued (crooked). missing a hand. and the end of his foot on the bottom. So much for "Durastone" durability ! After a bit of hunting online I found a picture of a pair being described as bookends on Etsy. They said it was marked on the right leg "Austin Co. 1961." but I couldn't find it anywhere on mine. Maybe it was on the piece of foot that had broken off. There are just some paper labels on the bottom. There are also some similar ones made in plaster by Alexander Backer Co. but they sit on a raised base with their stamp on it. I could probably give him some prosthetic repairs since I have the pictures of the intact ones but it looks even more authentic with the damage. I think I got my fifty cents worth. -Mike-
Thanks Jay.... Me neither, but I know I could...I'm fairly artistic an a bit OC !
There is a guy who is researching all Austin items and making a database of them. I have their Towering Spheres sculpture and I am in the process of researching it. Now that Austin Productions exists no longer their items are going up in value. There is also one authorized Austin reseller I know of and they are in England. If you have either the name or number of the item they will respond to your request for information immediately. I was pleased to find mine was worth a tidy $571. Even better because I got it for free.
This email is for Charlie King. He is the guy researching everything Austin. Nice guy but takes a day or two to reply. He has resources.
idaustinprodsculptures@gmail.com
This is the site in England I spoke of above.
http://www.austinsculpture.co.uk/
Austin items are clearly marked but they also have paper labels on the bottom. One of the labels is their item number. Usually a series of letters and numbers.
Don't quit your job and plan a vacation based on the value of this item in the condition you say it is in.
Thanks for all the info fhrjr2..... yes he's in very rough shape. I have this figure as well. She is also cracked being so slender and large. The metal armature is what keeps it together. I'm a softee for the basket cases. I'm sure restorers could do wonders.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/109737-art-deco-style-female-figure--sculpture
I think you will find the one by Fisher the more valuable of the two. The name is the selling point but the condition means everything. Be sure to mention it to Charlie and send him pictures if possible. Like this site he enjoys all the info you can provide.
When you start talking restoration you need to think a bunch. Nothing ever made by Austin Productions is terribly valuable and trying to restore an item generally costs more than an original in good condition.
I probably would do it myself, which was my intention. Just for personal satisfaction and cosmetic reasons. I'd never sell them anyway. Still nice to be in the know and keep a look out for others that are in better shape.
I agree with JH, its lovely damaged or not. If it wasn't you probably wouldn't have got it for 50cents, I'd pay 10x that, i love it.
Thanks Vintagefran.... It was actually two dollars, but when I mentioned his sorry state to Sue the cashier ,who I know pretty well, she gave it to me for fifty cents. Wasn't looking for a deal just making conversation. I thought 2 bucks was a fair price to begin with.