SKY KING UNIQUE KALEIDOSCOPE RING DESIGNED BY ORIN ARMSTRONG.
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Winning Bid:
$16,100.00 (Includes 15% Buyer's Premium)
Bids:
4
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:
N - $10,000 to $20,000 Help Icon
Item Description
This is the prototype (see previous Orin Armstrong belt buckle) ring created c. 1950 shown in Hake's Pop Culture guide as SKY-18 with value of $17,500.00. As with the buckle, this was never produced but was created by Armstrong for the Robbins Co. to present to the executives of the radio show's sponsor Peter Pan peanut butter. The mint luster brass base has perfectly formed adjustable bands. The base design is the same as the 1949 Sky King Electronic Television Picture Ring with an image of his horse "Yellow Fury" and airplane "Flying Arrow" but on this prototype those words have been intentionally removed and only traces of letters remain visible. The base joins to a black metal frame which holds a large diameter (15/16" by 2" long) heavy aluminum tube with slightly recessed center area and featuring a knurled pattern around the circumference at the eyepiece end, both intended to facilitate rotating the tube with one hand while the other holds the ring towards light to view the interior. The interior displays like a multi-surfaced angular geodesic dome and the interior trio of mirrors produces a kaleidoscopic effect. The ring contains a single die-cut portrait illustration of Sky King adapted from the plastic sheet used on the interior compartment of the 1949 Sky King Electronic Television Picture Ring. Because of the mirrors inside this ring, the one cut-out reflects and produces patterns of as few as three very complete Sky King facial images up to as many as 12 partial but symmetrical facial images. This incredible ring is not quite as long as the 1949 Sky King Tele-Blinker Ring, but it is more substantial and had it been produced would hold the size record for a vintage premium ring. The aluminum tube has about eight small areas (1/8" or so) without luster but 90% silver luster remains and the ring is otherwise Mint as created. Obviously, a unique opportunity to own the most important prototype ring known in the hobby.
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