Would you believe this guy was a male "pin-up" and the subject of affection for probably millions of women in the early 20th century?
So this seemingly common looking piece of glass has a pretty interesting story behind it. I was not familiar with the Arrow Collar Man before today but he carries some clout.
The early 20th century collar designer Arrow out of Troy, N.Y. hired J.C Leyendecker to design an ad for the company. Leyendecker used his companion Charles Beach as a model for the campaign. Between 1905 and 1931 this general archetype man became the model man. I wonder if he was the first openly gay man that the world of western women swooned over? Had tabloids existed then in the capacity that they do today it would have been a different story I suppose.
The Arrow Collar Man became a pop icon; Cole Porter even expressed interest in being an Arrow Collar Man in his song "Football King aka If I Were Only A Football Man."
Remember the company was out of Troy, N.Y.? Well apparently this fictionally available bachelor of the year inspired the Broadway musical Helen Of Troy.
How exactly the Arrow Collar Man inspired George Kaufman and Marc Connelly to write a book and two act play is unclear but the attribution is well documented.
Very influential misunderstood man here.
On a purely surface level, this is a very handy paperweight, instead of the common bar of soap style this has a concave top which makes it functional as both a weight and a sort of change dish.
Probably from the 1910's or 20's.
he kinda looks like a young James Branch Cabell - Ray.
ReplyDelete