Wednesday, June 9, 2010

U is for Ubiquitous Symbols of the USA



is for

Ubiquitous Symbols

of the

U S A




One of my favorite collections is my 

group of Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty figures. 

As an elementary teacher, each year I taught a 

patriotic unit that focused on American symbols. 

At some point through the years, I found myself picking up various 

models of Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty or ephemera 

that featured the image of these two figures of Americana. 

 Sharing these pieces of "folk art" with my students 

often provided visual inspiration for student art, and a tangible 

connection with these iconic symbols of America.




No longer working in a classroom, 

these figures now provide patriotic decor for the summer holidays:

 Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day.



This flying Uncle Sam charm ornament includes the famous 

"I Want You" poster among the various 

charms hanging from his arms.



Red and white striped pants, a blue coat, and a top hat are typical 

dress for most of the Uncle Sam figures.



and often times Uncle Sam is proudly 

waving "Old Glory" in one of his hands.



Lady Liberty is always 

featured with a crown of gold.



Some of my figures are paper maché or resin . . .



but many are hand-carved like this 

dapper gentleman with his walking stick.



Some Uncle Sam figures are made to resemble a nutcracker. 

 This trio is done in needlepoint, hand-stitched by me.



This needlepoint tassel was designed 

by Sandy Jenkins and hand-stitched by me.



Saundra Slagle was the creator of 

this jaunty Uncle Sam soft sculpture.

 I stitched the Lady Liberty in 1997. 

 It is a Sandy Jenkins design.



The tall, thin US figure in the center of this group 

is an original made by Tawn Tubbs in 2008. 

He is holding an elephant in one had 

and a donkey in the other hand.



This group includes Nancy Thomas' Uncle Sam stilt figure (1999), 

a paper maché figure by Carole Watts (2002), 

and the rolly polly wooden figure by James Haddon (1990).




Standing at a height of 12 inches, 

this glittery Uncle Sam was made in 2002 

as part of the 10th Anniversary Nutcracker Village Collection.



This flying Uncle Sam 

made of resin is unmarked.




One of my favorites is this Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam whirligig.

 When the wind blows the paddles, the figures bend to kiss.




Those of you interested in starting your own collection of these

 ubiquitous American symbols might want to get a copy of 

THE FOREMOST GUIDE TO UNCLE SAM COLLECTABLES, 

by Gerald Czulewicz, Sr. Available here at Amazon.



With the 4th of July less than a month away, 

no doubt there will be more patriotic 

inspired posts here at HFTS.




Memorial Day, Flag Day, the 4th of July

and Labor Day are all summer holidays

 Each provides a perfect opportunity to spotlight 

the US flag, Uncle Sam, and Lady Liberty.

This post is linked to the following weekly memes.
Click on each for a list of others participating this week:









Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

56 comments:

  1. Such a great post and I love your collections.

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  2. This is an amazing collection. There is such a variety.

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  3. Sarah, I love all of your USA decor. I also love the ways you've grouped them together. You have some very unique Uncle Sam's and Statutes of Liberty. I can't even pick a favorite, but I'm so glad they will all be part of Fav. Things Sat. laurie

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  4. So happy you shared your collection. Such unique and beautifully creative designs! Very special. - Angela

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  5. What a great collection of Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty. I didn't even know they had that much stuff out there. Great U post.

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  6. Wow! What a great collection, I bet your students loved it when you taught those lessons and brought in all those great Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty.

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  7. What a fantastic collection of Americana. I especially love that stilt figure, what a great piece. Kathy

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  8. You really have some amazing collections! I think my favorite is the flying Uncle Sam.

    I'm sooo happy to hear that you'll be joing "Summer Sundays". It's funny that three of our patriotic holiday happen in the summer.

    - The Tablescaper

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  9. What a wonderful patriotic collection! So interesting and different. Flag Day is next! Then the 4th..let the red white and blue fly!

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  10. You have such a wonderful and unique collection of Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty! I enjoyed seeing them all!

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  11. Thank you for the sweet comment on my blog. I love your collection! Your handwork is exquisite.. off to browse some more

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  12. I LOVE THIS POST! Great job! Love everything!
    Thank you for your sweet comment :)
    You are the best!

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  13. I enjoyed looking at your collection and you Do have a very fine collection! I especially loved the rooster...believe it was polka dotted in his body. What a fun thing it must have been for your students to have all these in the classroom. Joni

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  14. oh you have a lovely collection ... i also loved the rooster, very cool!!!

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  15. Dear Sarah,

    another stunning collection is this one. I have never thought that there could exist so many nice made figurines of Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty. I love that whirligig, it is really cute.
    Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving this nice comment.
    Greetings, Johanna

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  16. Dear Sarah,
    Another beautiful collection, this time of Americana. Your Uncle Sam's & Lady Liberty's are all wonderful, I'm sure your students were enthralled by them.
    The rooster is my fave though!
    ~Maggie~

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  17. I so love seeing all your collections~ I have to say needlepoint trio & the whirligig are my favorites! I look forward to seeing more patriotic posts :-)

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  18. You have so many beautiful collections you've shared with us, but THIS ONE is my favorite! I could easily steal every piece from you and set it up in my house!

    :)

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  19. Sarah, you always have the cutest things to show us, and this is no exception. What an amazing collection! I think my favorite is the flying Uncle Sam ornament or possibly the whirlygig. Though, I love that hat with the firecrackers and the needlepoint you did! See, impossible to pick just one!

    XO,

    Sheila

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  20. What gorgeous collections!

    And Happy Alphabe-Thursday!

    LOLA:)

    PS Mine this time is HERE. Hope you can join me!

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  21. Hi Sarah...wow..what a fabulous collection..truly stunning and wonderful! Gorgeous! i love that rooster..he is just amazing! What a fun post...fuill of treasures!! have a wonderful day!
    Kiki~

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  22. Sarah, your collections are endless and marvelous. I admire your hand work so much. It is always a joy to see what you post.

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  23. What a beautiful and special collection you have. Very nice,.

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  24. i like the flying uncle sam the best :D

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  25. This alphabet has really been keeping you busy, Sarah! Wonderful collection of Uncle Sams & Lady Liberty!! There are so many holiday's that you could use these in tablescapes, including the upcoming Flag Day (June 14th) which is my sweet DGD Caroline's birthday!!!

    I'm very impressed with all your needlepoint! Such treasured heirlooms...I hope you label who you want them to go to, or there will be fights for sure. LOL

    Hugs,
    Rett

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  26. Love the collection...we have the collectinest bunch of folks here...great post! Peace and blessings

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  27. What a neat collection of patriotic memorabilia. I would love to have those for my tablescapes this month...Christine

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  28. Great collection! Thanks for sharing.

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  29. What a fantastic collection of patriotic Americana!

    My favorite is the Lady Liberty.

    This was such a fascinating stop on our little journey through Alphabe-Thursday's letter "U"!

    Thanks for sharing all your treasures with us!

    A+

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  30. You are certainly ready for your Independence Day! That is a wonderful collection.

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  31. Unusually patriotic post...

    I want to come to your house for the fourth of July....

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  32. I love your collection and I never would have thought of collecting Uncle Sam's and Lady Liberty! I really enjoyed this post and you have inspired me to collect a few more Americana items for my 4th of July collection!!

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  33. Looks like you are set to go for your 4th of July celebrations! I love every single little red white and blue piece but that resin flying Uncle Sam is my favourite.

    Bes wishes and happy weekend,
    Natasha.

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  34. Such great Americana. Wonderful display and collection.

    I have an award waiting for you at this link:
    http://joyofdesserts.blogspot.com/2010/06/new-award-and-find-friend-friday.html

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  35. How wonderful! I just love Americana folk art. :-)

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  36. Good Morning Sarah,

    WOW...what an amazing Patriotic collection! You have so many lovely things and you put yourself into so many of them via needlepoint. I am thinking you must have a large attic!

    Thanks for sharing those goodies today. Have a great weekend!

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  37. While all of them are fun, the one I like best is the roly-poly Sam. What a refreshing change of pace from the tall skinny Sams.

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  38. What a great collection of the red, white and blue! I love it! I need to get my patriotic "doll" out and display him for the summer on the porch. He is the size of a small child and sat in the chair on the front porch last summer. He was dressed in red, white and blue and had a cardinal perched on his head. My children said he was scary looking....lol. xo Have a super great weekend Sarah.

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  39. so funny, that I would come and read this.
    I have always liked Uncle Sam, I do not have a collection and never thought about one, but NOW I am thinking about one. Your collection is wonderful!

    Thanks, Susan

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  40. Fun collection! My favorite Uncle Sam is from the cover of Newsweek that says "I Want You To Start Spending!" Well now, I just had to add that to my inspiration board!!!

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  41. Loved seeing your red, white and blue/Uncle Sam collection - thanks for sharing it with us.
    Enjoy your weekend.

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  42. Sarah, what a great collection - you must have been such a fun teacher to have - ah, elementary school days when the children were sweet and innocent!!!

    Thanks so much dear for the kind comments on my photos from the safari trip. It was so awesome, every moment sticks in my memory and it's really difficult to get back into daily routine - I want so much to return!! Still have lots more to share - stories and pics (including the fabulous bag which I was so thankful for and love so much), so keep coming back!

    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Hugs - Mary

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  43. These are so amazing Sarah! You have a fabulous collection and my favorites are the ones you needlepointed.
    You're quite talented indeed!
    Cindy

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  44. Hi Sarah!

    You ahve a wonderful collection! So much fun!!

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  45. What a wonderful collection of patriotic items! And I love your handcrafted items you created :o)

    Blessings & Aloha!

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  46. Quite the collection. Makes me want to get my little bit of red, white and blue out.

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  47. you have an amazing collection
    I love Lady Liberty with the crown of gold, it's beautiful

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  48. Hi Sarah,
    Popping in again to wish you a happy Summer Sunday! A lovely beach day here today!

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  49. Sarah,

    Thanks so much for joining "Summer Sundays".

    Hope that you'll be with us for many Sundays to come!

    - The Tablescaper

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  50. UNCLE Sam is UTTERLY UNIQUE in all his forms. Lady Liberty is cool too:)

    What a fun collection you have and shared this week..

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  51. Ubiquitous though they be, your symbols made my day!

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  52. Good post and this post helped me alot in my college assignement. Thanks you for your information.

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