"Der Phew-er"! ...and other skunky items of interest.

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I'm on the email list for Kovel's "Komments", where they offer snippets of info relating to antique and vintage items of interest. The Kovel's also publish many books about antique and vintage items and collectibles. Anyway, todays email included a bit that I found quite amusing! "Der Phew-er"...a cast iron skunk figure with Hitler's head! For a person who made such an impact on the history of the world, it's kinda strange that something so light hearted was created...well, that's my 2 cents anyway.

This is what Kovel's has to say about it:
"During World War II, novelty anti-Axis items were popular. Many represented Hitler, Mussolini, and Tojo and sold for less than a dollar. The Johnson Smith & Co. 1944 catalog offered several anti-Hitler items, including a cast-iron skunk figure called "Der Phew-er" ("shows Hitler as he really is"), a Hitler skunk ashtray, a Hotzi-Notzi pincushion (according to the catalog, FDR had one on his desk), and a Hitler squealing pig bank. Johnson Smith Co. is still in business in Bradenton, Florida, and still sells novelty items through its catalogs. Several different Hitler skunk figures were made in cast iron, chalkware, pottery, and plastic. Twin Winton made a ceramic Hitler skunk, Mussolini pig, and Tojo rat. "

For more info on the Johnson Smith Co. : http://www.johnsonsmith.com/

For more info on Kovel's Komments : http://e.kovelsonline.com/m/5caQdcn47bcER92bxnFnXNKkCyAyhAuQdFjWN46SLPzdHYJSrw

AND...on a lighter and non-historical note, here are a few appreciable items of skunky content that I found while parusing on Etsy.

by BerkleyIllustrations from Portland, OR


A most unique fur coat...yes, it is made from skunk fur! by Flapperflock from Redlands, CA


And the cutest little skunk plushy by LittleBear from Vancouver Island.

Enjoy!