Sunday, September 27, 2015

Finally, A Salmagundi Of My Own


The other day I made a quick run to one of my local thrift stores.
I almost talked myself out of going, but it had been a little while since I'd hit that particular one, so I went.
As often happens to me, when I started looking around the first thing I found was something that I believe was placed there for me alone to discover.
I have wanted one of these vintage Whitman's Chocolates Salmagundi tins for at least 35 years.
 Tina has a couple of them, and I have always admired them:
Here are a couple of vintage 1920's advertisements for the Whitman's tins:
 Salmagundi , "A Medley Of Good Things".
The Salmagundi tin features the artwork of Alphonse Mucha, one of my favorite artists.
 In fact, every single year, I purchase one of the Alphonse Mucha
 calendars from Pomegranate Press to hang above my desk.
The lovely image below just happens to be featured for September:
The one pictured below is "Zodiac",  and very similar to the one on the lid of my candy tin - it was used on a  "La Plume" calendar in 1897.
I don't imagine Mr. Mucha would have ever thought that his artwork would still be gracing calendar pages 118 years later.
Ah, but it is - and deservedly so:

The price on my vintage tin was $1.99 - but I had a full stamped card worth $5.00 off that I was able to use on my purchases that day, so, basically it was free.
Perfect.
 Finally, a tin of my own, and at the best price ever.
Just sitting there at the thrift store waiting for me.
They didn't know that it should have probably been in their "special" area instead of out on the floor with everything else.
The people there did not think it was special - but I do.
Oddly enough, I discovered later that same day that there is an Alphonse Mucha
exhibit at the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock, California!
 Turlock is only about 55 miles from here, and you can bet that I am going to do my very best to make it down there to see that exhibit!
As a matter of fact, I'm pretty excited about it.

3 comments:

  1. I found a round melamine Alphonse Mucha platter at the Goodwill last year. Can't decide whether to sell it or hang it up - it's very pretty!

    Congratulations on your blogiversary!

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  2. Wow - that is a beautiful tin. Love it!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  3. I find it interesting that the original Salmagundi lady had zodiac signs around her aura, since I have always been interested in the zodiac, and I was so drawn to those tins long ago. I guess the candy company removed them so as to make it more politically correct and not offend. I am so glad you found one and got it for free! Is the white patch part of a sticker or is it paint or??? Just curious. Love T

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