Posted 7 years ago
mikelv85
(1230 items)
I've not been in the Salvation Army that sells by the pound in a while, so I stopped by this morning. I bypass all the clothes and head straight for the sub-basement area where they keep all the "houseware" items and books. Usually I won't find much of anything but then I spied this rather robust figure. Very stylized with a 30's "Deco" feel and very large feet ! She's 14.5" tall on the wood base and 4.5 " wide at the shoulders. Made of plaster with a pinkish blue grey waxed finish. It was signed on the wood base M.Ubaldi 38'. Mario Ubaldi was born in Monarch, Wyoming in 1912. He studied art in Rome. In the late 1930s, he worked for the Illinois WPA sculpture program. Later he taught at the Art Institute in Chicago and exhibited nationally. He died in 1993. I couldn't find any auction records to try to determine a value, but the Smithsonian has two of his larger sculptures which are not on view at present. So this kind of makes up for the drawing fiasco from my last post. At least I'm fairly sure this isn't a copy. When I got to the register she weighed in at 4 pounds for a grand total of $2.69. Can't argue with that ! -Mike-
I love her! ;) Really, I think she's very cool. But what's going on down in that area??? Did you blot that out or what is up? See what happens when you go back after staying away from your place? That's what gets us all I think. Now you'll keep going back for a bit, right? haha...so much fun!
Thanks Share.....certain stores I only visit a couple times a month. The method to the madness seems to work. I always find something if I stay away for awhile. I used go to six shops a day and still come home with nothing. So sometimes staying away for a while pays off. :)
Paying by weight, what an interesting idea.
She is wonderful Mike, and a proper name and date on her. I'm sure she would have good value. Even if Ubaldi is not so highly valued today, this statue has so much mod appeal I think she would be very desirable.
Thanks Karen. She is a "Rubenesque" beauty. :) . Yes, paying by weight is an odd concept . This is the only Salvation Army store that does that. The other I go to is much larger and has lately become very over priced and not much in terms of hidden treasures. Nothing like it used to be a few years ago when it opened that's for sure. I'm always surprised at some of the great things that pop up in the smaller neighborhood stores that are less internet savvy.
WOW !!! Another Fabulous Buy !!!!
NEXT !!!
Thanks Kevin.... she was a wonderful find for this particular shop. :)
From what I've read and seen, WPA art is highly collectible and valuable. I would contact the Smithsonian about the sculptures you referenced, ask who curated that exhibition or who their expert is on WPA artwork, and if you can get the name, send them photos of what you have. Good luck, and let us know what happens with it. :)
Thanks so much for the info Katherine. I've been so busy with the antique store lately that I've let my posts and research fall behind. Now that Summer is here there should be some treasures to be found in the months ahead and I'll get my posts back up to snuff. Have to drop and email to the "Smith" and see what they say too. :)
Be sure and update us on what you find out! :)
Truely remarkable collection and posts. Neil