Monday, December 20, 2010

Retro: Kimmer

Retro: Kimmer

Link to Retro: Kimmer

KIMMER LOVES: TROLL DOLLS FOR CHRISTMAS!!!

Posted: 20 Dec 2010 06:58 PM PST



Part of the Troll doll's charm was that they were so ugly they were cute... Trolls had big ears and a cute little pot belly, no forehead and long strands of sheep's wool for hair. The folks in Denmark believed the troll dolls were so ugly that you had to laugh at them. If you were laughing... nothing bad could happen to you.



Soon the dolls became a source of good luck to people around the world. Initially they were favored by high school and college girls but soon grown men were carrying them around on their travels. Let's not forget the many BINGO ladies and gentlemen with their lucky bingo trolls.



Lady Bird Johnson bragged that she owned one and apparently plenty of other people did as well, as in the late 1960s, Troll Dolls were the second largest selling dolls in the United States. Only Barbie had a larger fan base.



The Troll Doll was originally known as the "Dammit" doll in honor of its creator, Danish woodcutter Thomas Dam. In 1959, Dam could not afford to buy his young daughter a birthday present and instead carved for her a doll inspired by the legendary trolls which were believed to live in the Nordic forests and would bring luck to any humans who could catch them.



Dam's daughter took to the doll and dressed it up and showed it to local villagers. The doll attracted the eye of a Danish toy store owner and soon Dam was selling versions of the doll all over the world, selling more than a million of the in the United States in 1964 alone.His first troll doll had sheep hair and glass eyes.



The Troll Museum is so killer retro!



Originally created in 1959 by Danish Fisherman/Woodcutter Thomas Dam, the dolls became popular in a few European countries in the early 1960's, right before they were introduced in America. The originals, also called "Dam Dolls," were of the highest quality featuring sheep wool hair and glass eyes.



Their sudden popularity, along with an error made in the (C)Copyright notice of Thomas Dam's original product, resulted in cheaper imitations and knock-offs which flooded the American market.

Also known as "Wishniks," " Treasure Trolls," "Norfins" and other tradenames, it was not until 2003 that a Congressional law allowed the Dam family of Denmark to restore their original American copyright and become the only official manufacturer once again.

I want to work here!!!




Lots of Christmas Troll Dolls For Sale Online
Thumbnail Guide to Selling Your Troll Dolls Part One
Thumbnail Guide to Selling Your Troll Dolls Part Two

RED HOT SPOTLIGHT CANDIDATES: VOTE FOR MY PAL ALAN!

Posted: 20 Dec 2010 01:45 PM PST


Alan Bill Jim Kenny and Rich Masquerade

My most favorite band as a teenager was Blue Air then Air then morphed into Masquerade. Their lead guitar player and vocalist is now a country singer in Florida. Al is competing once again in the Kix Radio competition. Listen to Al's latest song and if you like it please vote for Al.

It's time to get out there and support "The Best of The Best" - Get all your Friends & Family together & Vote away. If you're a Fan, Vote for your favorite Bands & Artists. Bands & Artists, Don't be crazy! Get out there & vote for yourself. Voting is so easy even a platypus can do it &
rumour has it... they don't do much.

LISTEN TO ALAN'S SONG "ALMOST FORGOTTEN"

Vote for my pal Alan aka Justin Kase Justin Alan Kase) HERE everyday please...



Justin Alan Case is on Facebook too

Go through the list of 2010 Red Hot Spotlight Candidates, find your choice & click in the approved circle, then go down to the bottom & click "Vote." Once you've Voted you'll then be able to see the Voting results so far & where your favorites are in the Polls!!!

Latest articles from Retro To Go

Latest articles from Retro To Go


Lace Livey Sunglasses by Thierry Lasry

Posted: 20 Dec 2010 09:47 AM PST

Lasryliney

For most of us sunglasses are the last things on our minds (and shopping lists) right now, but that's never stopped the fashion industry. Determined to show off their Summer 2011 fodder already, there's some pieces worth buying ahead for, like these Lace Livey Sunglasses by Theirry Lasry.

Sold as womenswear, this pair's appeal goes beyond that to a unisex pair with effortless style. The rounded frames avoid the often clichéd oversized sixties look, instead opting for a smoothly rounded mid size. The tortoiseshell frame, complete with slimmed down arms, are the ideal finishes to a timeless pair of frames.

Get them online from Matches Fashion now for £288.

Find out more from the website

The Our Gal Friday Jacket by Mode Merr

Posted: 20 Dec 2010 07:07 AM PST

Galfriday

In this weather it's an absolute must to find stylish outerwear that complements, rather than compromises, your overall style. This Our Girl Friday Jacket by Mode Merr has retro chic in spades, providing a great accompaniment to a variety of fifties look outfits.

The cropped style creates an instantly neat and tailored appearance, with the one button fastening offering something more sleek and luxurious than other options. The chic portrait collar is an instantly early fifties style, while the vampish red shade is an irresistible finishing touch.

Get it online in red or black from Mode Merr, priced at $70.

Find out more from the website

Over 10 years on, Lekki reissues the Nokia 3210 mobile phone

Posted: 20 Dec 2010 06:54 AM PST

Nok2

It sold 160 million units when it first launched back in 1999 and over 10 years on, the Nokia 3210 has been reissued for those who want a 'back to basics' mobile phone in their pocket.

From the people who recently brought back the Motorola StarTAC, this is a recycled 'vintage' phone that's undergone a modern makeover. Indeed, it follows the same principles as that first phone, with a choice of bright colours (or simply a black finish) for that recycled phone, new premium packaging, a charger and new battery.

If you've forgotten the original, there's a rather basic set of features, including mono ringtones, vibration function, the option to call and text, an alarm, calculator plus smack, rotation and memory for the games. In a strange kind of way, this Nokia 3210 will probably get you more attention than a new iPhone 4 - and for a price of 75 Euros online.

Find out more at the Lekki website

Via Switched On Set

eBay watch: 1962 Fiat 500 D in 'show room condition'

Posted: 20 Dec 2010 05:53 AM PST

Fiat1

Yes, the new Fiat 500 models are nice enough, but they haven't quite got the character of the originals, of which this 1962 Fiat 500 D is a prime example.

Details from the seller (technical aside) are scarce, but photos are plentiful, including the one above and the interior shot above, which show off a car claimed to be in 'show room condition'. It's also said to have just 9,000 miles on the clock, 12 months MOT and the soft top.

Like I said, the photos do it more justice than words, so see them all at the site. Right now bids are at £3,100, although that figure has yet to match the reserve.

Find out more at the eBay website

Fiat2

Accent sofa by Swedese

Posted: 20 Dec 2010 03:34 AM PST

Accent-white
A 1950s design that still looks as appealing today, that's the Accent sofa by Swedese.

The sofa was designed in 1959 by Yngve Ekström, who was the founder of Swedese and looks very much of its time. The clean lines of its upholstery are supported by a solid oak frame and legs. It's available in a variety of finishes - it's shown here in white leather which certainly enhances its classic looks. 

As you might expect, the sofa has something of an 'investment' price tag attached - in this case the sofa costs £3035.

Buy it from Skandium

Gentleman's and Lady's A - Z by Chase and Wonder

Posted: 20 Dec 2010 03:28 AM PST

Chase and wonder
Looking for some old-fashioned elegance? You could take your cue from Chase and Wonder's Gentleman's and Lady's A - Z prints.

Alongside retro typography, each illustrates some of the paraphernalia attached to being a true gent or lady. The gentleman's print, for example, runs from automobile to a zamburak, via a gramophone, moustache and top hat. Meanwhile, the lady's print includes lipstick, a corset and heels. A bit of gender stereotyping maybe, but done by designers David Aspinall and Faye Pearce with their tongue firmly in their cheek. 

The prints are limited to 200 copies and cost £60 each. 

Buy them from the Keep Calm Gallery

Retro Sweets Union Jack Print

Posted: 20 Dec 2010 02:25 AM PST

File_366_4 
This Retro Sweets Union Jack Print has been created by the company Swings and Pretty Things.

The print consists of lettering spelling out the names of some favourite retro sweets, including Sherbet Lemons, Black Jacks, Wine Gums, Refreshers and Dolly Mixtures with the phrase "A Quarter Of" in the centre of the picture. The text is arranged and coloured in the pattern of the Union Jack, to add to its retro appeal. The print is stretched around a box canvas, and is available in a choice of four sizes, with the smallest measuring 300mm x 450mm and the largest 665mm x 1000mm.

Prices range from £110 up to £200. Buy online from Swings and Pretty Things.

Koziol A-pril Bathroom Accessories

Posted: 20 Dec 2010 02:20 AM PST

Koziol-april-soap-dish 
It isn't that easy to add retro touches to the bathroom, but Koziol's A-pril Bathroom Accessories allows you to add a hint of the flower power.

The range consists of a soap dish, wall hook, toothbrush tumbler and sponge holder, with all items being made from brightly coloured plastic, as we have come to expect from Koziol. Each piece is decorated with a large daisy, much like Mary Quant's logo.

Red Candy has the A-pril range in red, with prices between £5.95 and £13.95. If you would prefer them in blue, then try Gifts with Style.

Diadora reissues Cross 70 trainers

Posted: 20 Dec 2010 01:30 AM PST

Dia1

A semi-classic running shoe from the '70s gets another outing in 2010 - the Diadora Cross 70 trainers.

You can actually pin these trainers down to 1976, with the reissue still packing a suede and mesh upper, with a leather Diadora stripe on the side and rubber sole.

Limited numbers, you can secure a pair for £55. See another shot over the page.

Find out more at the Stuarts of London website

Via His Knibs

Dia2

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