Wilhelm Heckel (1918-1970) Magic of the Past. Czech industrial and commercial photographer.

"William Heckel (1918-1970), a legendary climber and one of the most important Czech photographers of the twentieth century. He belonged to the former peak especially in climbing, landscaping, but also promotional photos. William Heckel with advertising photography began paying late thirties, when he earned as a publicity photographer in the studio, "Illek and Paul" .In 1941, he became an industrial photographer full time. First of Zbrojovka Brno, and later, for example, the Czechoslovak Chamber of Commerce. Specific areas are also images of races when photographed athletes at the world-famous when machines JAWA and CZ and which combined the news and promotional approach to work. William Heckel worked most of his life in an atmosphere of times when too much artistry and personality photographers profitable. Heckel was not clear exception and usually managed to find a new fresh look and composition and the dusty factory floor. Pictures of Skoda cars contemporary radios, cameras, refrigerators and vacuum cleaners as well as their users are happy, thanks Heckelově distinctive aesthetics retrospect incredible charm of times long past". All fotos and text courtesy of fotografic.cz

Awesome, mid-century, maybe 1940's, hospital, doctory, dentist, industrial floor lamp. Extremely heavy, fully adjustable and works great. Possibly Hill-Rom Batesville, Indiana manufacturer but unmarked. Retains it's original Underwriters Laboratory sticker.

We just found this funky floor lamp yesterday. Great form and the very best condition. No wobbles. 100% original. 49"-58" tall. Extremely heavy but shippable. It is available for purchase here

Incredible folk art decorated welding mask.

As I have said in earlier posts, we look for art in all kinds of objects. For the last few years, old welding masks have sold pretty well. They appeal to collectors of found objects, industrial artifacts, tribal art and steampunk. Nothing has ever topped this one that we sold in 2014. Sometimes I wish I still had it.

Found Object as Art: Blacksmith Mandrel

Earlier we talked about looking at objects from an art or design standpoint. Remember "sculptural appeal". An item with real sculptural appeal is a blacksmith's cone mandrel. They combine form, with color and texture to make an interesting display piece. Several of them of varying heights on a large table would be awesome looking. They have made it to the top antique and design website, 1st Dibs, so they qualify as legitimate art.

The problem is, they rarely come on the market. Blacksmiths and farriers are a different breed of cat and usually pass things on to the next generation. Forges, anvils, hammers and mandrels stay "in the trade" for decades. Think of a mandrel as an anvil for round objects and work. When a very true degree of "roundness" is needed, a mandrel is used. They range from 2 feet to 6 feet in height and are very heavy as you can imagine. Recently, here in north central Wisconsin, I saw one on a Craigslist ad and called the old guy immediately. It was on a wagon with a lot of other stuff this old farmer was getting rid of. He had everything priced except the mandrel and was taking offers on it. He had turned down $1800 already.

Thats about all you can say about this cool old industrial tool. Simple as can be, but sophisticated as a piece of sculpture. Imagine 5 or 6 of them on a huge industrial table in the entry hall of an uber-cool, high-ceilinged loft or apartment in New York City.

If you want to make your own Persimmon Forge will show you how.

1940's gun metal gray, art deco style desk lamp with brass decorations.

This just came in today so I thought I would let you know about it. All of this old, industrial style, lighting is popular with collectors these days, but the condition must be exceptional and functioning. Always check to make sure the plug and cord are in good shape before plugging it in. These kinds of desk lamps can be found very affordably. This one was made by Moe Lighting in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin and is available for purchase here

Happy industrial/steampunk customers.

Vintage telephone electric generator/magneto. Creates static electricity with the turn of a crank.

We really love selling online. It allows us to offer all sorts of amazing, crazy, weird and wonderful objects to buyers all over the world 24/7/365. This small item sold last night so I thought I would share it with you today.

It is an old telephone magneto, crank it and it generates high voltage, low amperage static type electricity. I remember in 7th grade shop class Mr. Hooten had one of these that was a bit larger. It had two cords off of it with metal things to hold on to. When someone would misbehave they had to hold the two electrode things and he would crank it up fast. I remember seeing little kids hands and arms flailing away while he cranked it. We could also all join hands in a circle with one kid holding one electrode and another kid holding the other and Mr. Hooten would crank it and we all got shocked. Mr. Hooten loved doing that. Haha, what fun, those days are long gone.

#industrial #foundobject

Other oddball stuff for sale here

Industrial design, found objects, steampunk assemblage parts.

People all the time ask me about found objects as pieces of art. Look around, look at the world as a series of objects that while made for one purpose exhibit fine design elements. Things don't just magically appear, people design them.

Here is a great look at a 1940's industrial design studio.

We always have a great selections of these kinds of objects. They are sold for people to display or to re-purpose them into steampunk or other found object assemblages. Look at an objects sculptural appeal. Steampunk.

Here is a selection of items we have sold or have in stock now. Imagine the possibilities.