SKY KING PROTOTYPE SECRET COMPARTMENT BELT BUCKLE FEATURING ORIGINAL ART FRONT PANEL.
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Starting Bid:
$4,025.00 (Includes 15% Buyer's Premium)
Bids:
0
Bidding Ended:
Thursday, February 3, 2011 12:00:00 PM (20 Minute Clock Begins At Thursday, February 3, 2011 12:00:00 PM)
Time Left:
Ended
Auction:
Auction #202 - Part II
Item numbers 1554 through 3213 in auction 202
Value Code:
M - $5,000 to $10,000 Help Icon
Item Description
This incredible unique prototype premium was designed by Orin Armstrong for Robbins Co. to present to the executives of Peter Pan peanut butter, the radio show's sponsor. This buckle is shown in the Hake Pop Culture guide with a date of 1948. However, seeing this item in person for the first time requires a revision of the date to 1950-1951. Our book description says "with decoder symbols on the back" and this is true as there is a large circle at center containing numbers 1 through 26. We are revising the date because this circle is stamped on a distinctive die-cut sheet of aluminum identical to the aluminum plate on the reverse of the 1951 issued Space Patrol Jet Glow belt buckle with reverse decoder. The aluminum on this Sky King prototype is held by two rivets to a rectangular heavy brass compartment 1-3/8" wide by 2.25" long with open front area to serve as a secret compartment with a depth of .25". The brass retains much luster. The buckle's front is another sheet of heavy brass with a turned upper and lower edge creating a channel so it will slide. An internal metal stop keeps the front plate from being completely removable. We now get to the wonderful part of this creation. Glued to the front metal panel is a thin sheet of cardboard showing the gorgeous hand painted (likely acrylic) design featuring symbolic wings flanking a crown with the name "Sky King." Below the big stylized initials "S" and "K" flank a panel with an example serial number of "3970743." Art has near microscopic couple of tiny paint chips off a hairline along the upper and lower borders and a mere speck off the letter "K" but all this is exceedingly minor and the item is overall in Exc. condition in addition to being beautifully crafted and unique. Also see the following unique ring designed by Orin Armstrong and two of his unique pieces for Jack Armstrong #1804-05.
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