My World of Statuary
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I have an abiding interest in antiques. I have collected a variety different items ranging from pottery, hard-paste porcelains, some glass, and statuary. What probably constitutes a diversion from my main focus on John Rogers and parian statuary is the collection of ESCOs (sometimes called “big heads) pictured below that I acquired a while back. ESCOs plaster statues are caricatures of various public figures (political, literary, entertainment, etc.). They were produced from the early 1970s (maybe even late 1960s) to the early 1990s. The operation that produced them is no longer in business so this statuary has become quite collectible. I put them in my office because there was no place for them at home. I have been in the process of deaccessing this collection so many of those pictured are already gone. Nevertheless, the viewer may find them entertaining to view and to try to identify. My real love as far as statuary is concerned is what are referred to as John Rogers Groups—plaster statuary from the last half of the 19th Century. I invite you to go to my Rogers website to learn more about these one time very popular and extraordinary statues (www.johnrogers.org). One Rogers Groups (Union Refugees) appears on my desk in the “The Wall of Heroes” picture. The picture immediately below this text is of the wall opposite from my desk. I would not want it go so far as to be accused of having here a “shrine.” However, it probably unintentionally looks a bit like one I fear. Nevertheless, that picture contains some collateral Rogers items—a picture of Rogers on the table in front of the wall and on the wall a 1939 Travelers Insurance Calendar containing pictures of a different group for each month, and some framed stereoptic cards of various groups. The two pictures to the bottom left are close ups of “the Man” himself and the calendar and stereoptic cards. Lastly (bottom right), I could not pass up putting in a picture that references my Midwest origin. Enjoy!!
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