tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post1601515236923083851..comments2024-03-28T16:36:12.581-04:00Comments on Gurney Journey: Vintage Paper Toy "Fairy City"James Gurneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01870848001990898499noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-71409506968322499972017-06-17T07:25:30.263-04:002017-06-17T07:25:30.263-04:00thanks Pierre!thanks Pierre!My Pen Namehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10163003696435139513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-23974783000582378822017-06-14T11:49:43.079-04:002017-06-14T11:49:43.079-04:00This comment is directed at My Pen Name but yes, w...This comment is directed at My Pen Name but yes, what you describe would certainly be possible. In fact, there are individuals who sell reproductions of many old paper toys for sale, especially those of the Imagerie d'Epinal line of paper toys as well as Benjamin Pollock's toy theaters.<br /><br />About 20 years ago, a very colorful character named Chip Fyn decided to sell paper model PDF files over the internet which would be downloaded to your own computer and printed on your own home printer on card stock. Chip ran a website called FiddlersGreen.net (which still exists and is now run by his son). Chip was a pacifist who lived "off the grid" in his mobile home in Arizona yet ran a paper modeling empire. He designed paper model buildings and airplanes in his unique cartoony pen and ink drawing style. He eventually opened his website up to other designers (including me) as long as they could mimc his particular style.<br /><br />It was a privilege to meet Chip on multiple occasions and work with him over the internet. Chip passed away about 5 years ago but he's a legend in the paper modeling community!Pierre Fontainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09928175455443075350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-66976738197955556572017-06-14T03:36:37.746-04:002017-06-14T03:36:37.746-04:00So great to see new old treasures from your amazin...So great to see new old treasures from your amazing place, Mel!<br />Thank you, Jim, for doing that video!<br />I love your vision of this peaceful world of toys. And especially how both of your visions blend. <br />Most cordially regards to you and your wife from Berlin.<br /> <br />Christian Schlierkamphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14486181495859389834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-14013703824630274382017-06-13T19:57:11.881-04:002017-06-13T19:57:11.881-04:00what fun! I'd imagine with today's large f...what fun! I'd imagine with today's large format color printers and card stock we could reproduce a lot of these, no?My Pen Namehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10163003696435139513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-50514351556552222872017-06-13T14:09:29.305-04:002017-06-13T14:09:29.305-04:00Thank you for your wonderful comments Mel. I'...Thank you for your wonderful comments Mel. I've followed James' occasional visits to see your collection and hear your stories, always looking forward to the next one to see what interesting treats the two of you have prepared.<br /><br />Discovering Blair Whitton's book was a true revelation for me. I knew that paper toys and toy theaters were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries but the shear breadth of subject matter really opened my eyes to what could be done with simple printed paper and glue. As a result, it fueled my desire to do the same sort of work.<br /><br />As a result, I've focused my designs on architecture but my collecting of paper ephemera and paper models is pretty far ranging. I don't really have ways to display what I've collected, it mostly sits in bins that I occasionally sift through for inspiration. Also, for many years I would attend the International Paper Modelers convention in Virginia to hang out with individuals who had a similar passion as me though it's been a few years since my last visit.<br /><br />By the way, your comments about the book are very funny as it is an odd-shaped book and I can see how useful it could be when scanning! I hope you get a lot of use from it!<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />PierrePierre Fontainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09928175455443075350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-45432669911954040112017-06-13T13:39:17.578-04:002017-06-13T13:39:17.578-04:00Hi Pierre,
It’s not like me to chime in, but I f...Hi Pierre, <br /><br />It’s not like me to chime in, but I felt compelled to respond to your comments. The marvelous book that you describe happens to be sitting right here by my side. Blair Whitton was a friend of mine, a charming charming gentleman. I ran into him frequently at fleas, long before he wrote that book. He was a fulltime collector and a sometimes dealer in the very early days of collecting in the USA. <br /><br />At the risk of sounding obsessed, whenever I think of him, I recall that his area of main interest, at the time, was the Schoenhut Circus. And I can’t help but remember, as if it was yesterday that he offered me the entire Schoenhut Circus Parade from his collection, for the sum of six hundred dollars, which was a ridiculously reasonable price, even back then. It was a friendly and generous gesture for him to be willing to entrust it to me. Alas, it might as well have been six million, for it was way above my means. <br /><br />I also realized, early on, that I would never be able to afford to cater to my every whim, and capture/rescue every treasure that pleased my eye. And so, I limited myself to Comic Characters, and I have remained faithful to just them, which was not difficult, as the category is so deep and wide.<br /><br />Why is his book sitting beside me at this moment, and, in fact, every day? Perhaps I should be embarrassed to explain. It happens to be the perfect size to fit my scanner screen just right. And I use it to hold whatever I scan in place. Nonetheless, I treat it gently. The dust jacket is still pristine. The crazy coincidence of seeing it beside me, while reading your comment, seemed worthy of a reply. Best Regards, Mel<br /><br /><br />Mel Birnkranthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11827682874999621264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-48329310939373338322017-06-13T12:48:53.096-04:002017-06-13T12:48:53.096-04:00Wow...this cuts right to my heart. There's a ...Wow...this cuts right to my heart. There's a charm and whimsy to antique paper toys that I love without reserve. I really appreciate your sharing this with your readers.<br /><br />Even though I work professionally as a product designer, my first love has always been paper construction; specifically architectural models. I've designed and made models of Washington Irving's house Sunnyside, of my hometown train station, even models for various paper modeling websites. It's my way of keeping the tradition alive even though I no longer personally sell the models I've designed. The charm of the hobby for me is to put yourself into a world of your own creation and see it in 3 dimensions.<br /><br />I don't know if you've ever seen the book "Paper Toys Of The World" by Blair Whitton. It's quite old though it often shows up on eBay. That book as been an inspiration to me for decades and its chock-full of information on toys like the one featured in this blog article.<br /><br />Thanks again for a really nice surprise today that really speaks to my heart.<br /><br />PierrePierre Fontainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09928175455443075350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-158168826165215552017-06-13T10:39:00.494-04:002017-06-13T10:39:00.494-04:00Thanks, Susan. I do feel lucky to glimpse some of ...Thanks, Susan. I do feel lucky to glimpse some of these wonders....but all the credit goes to Mel, who had the idea for this video, and who patiently built the city.James Gurneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01870848001990898499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-66274076998571679172017-06-13T10:27:42.705-04:002017-06-13T10:27:42.705-04:00You are obviously having way too much fun in this ...You are obviously having way too much fun in this world! <br /><br />Thank you for sharing and for creating a reality where people can do this! The toys, the tools, the technology!<br /><br />Susan Krzywickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11734833252007456199noreply@blogger.com