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American Mettle


MacDaddyRico

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post-1299-0-29818100-1415930964_thumb.jpA pleasant surprise awaited me upon returning from the Astronaut Autograph & Memorabilia Show: Just when I'm winding down for a couple of days I receive an email which sent me reeling on another emotional roller coaster ride; The Peter Max had shipped FedEx two days prior!

Need I say more?

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UPDATE: 10/31/2014

I have commissioned an internationally acclaimed American artist to paint my factory-unfinished Berzac Bank...

I will post pictures upon its arrival back home..!

The bare model is the one which Vacumet produced in 1975 to commemorate America's Bicentennial...

Patented by Astro in 1957, the Guided Missile Bank was later produced by Vacumet (after they'd obtained the rights) in time to commemorate America's bicentennial in 1975.

Vacumet's model type was the only one which came bare from the factory, ready to be painted by its new owner with included paper stickers. Notice how it lacks the slightly protruding symbol on each side of the upper fuselage.

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  • 3 weeks later...

post-1299-0-27399300-1417371862_thumb.jppost-1299-0-57240400-1417371889_thumb.jppost-1299-0-61015000-1417371898_thumb.jppost-1299-0-08544600-1417371913_thumb.jppost-1299-0-70170600-1417371935_thumb.jppost-1299-0-27377400-1417371950_thumb.jppost-1299-0-47301000-1417371960_thumb.jppost-1299-0-05563500-1417371977_thumb.jpPeter Max Berzac Bank

The Vacumet model of Astro Mfg's Guided Missile Bank (1957~A Berzac Creation) came unfinished from the factory in 1975, ready to be custom-painted by its new owner. Most were painted white due to the adhesive paper decals accompanying the toy banks, which were printed on white stock. So I thought to myself, "Why not get America's iconic Cosmic Artist to paint my specimen?"

Another commission is in the planning stage...

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Excellent Peter Max Bank with all of its great looking colors. :thumbs:

Thank you very much...The man is a genius with a brush and colors!

The pictures don't really do it justice: Can you tell it was brushed? Then mixed media images of his work affixed and touched up here and there with a brush stroke of paint.

The Space Truckin' is actually my business card, cut out and affixed like his Cosmic Jumper, planets and other mixed media!

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Classic painted Artwork on your Missile Bank. :biggrin:

Thank you...It's definitely an unmistakable Peter Max work...

He enjoyed doing it and is looking forward to another after the New Year per his sales manager...

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  • 6 months later...

My original article plus my latest article had been published in Antique Toy World magazine...

ANTIQUE TOY WORLD ARTICLES 2014 2015 004.JPG

ANTIQUE TOY WORLD ARTICLES 2014 2015 002.JPG

ANTIQUE TOY WORLD ARTICLES 2014 2015 006.JPG

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  • 4 weeks later...

PETER_MAX_BERZAC_NUMBER_TWO_STILLS_003.tPETER_MAX_BERZAC_NUMBER_TWO_STILLS_004.tmPETER_MAX_BERZAC_NUMBER_TWO_STILLS_005.tPETER_MAX_BERZAC_NUMBER_TWO_STILLS_006.tPETER_MAX_BERZAC_NUMBER_TWO_STILLS_007.tPETER_MAX_BERZAC_NUMBER_TWO_STILLS_008.tPETER_MAX_BERZAC_NUMBER_TWO_STILLS_009.tPETER_MAX_BERZAC_NUMBER_TWO_STILLS_010.t

Astro Mfg first produced the Guided Missile Bank (A Berzac Creation) in the early 1960's (patented 1957,) then Vacumet Finishing later obtained the rights to the molds.

The Vacumet version was the only bank of the eight different model types produced by the three companies (Duro Mold, Astro Mfg and Vacumet) to have come from the factory bare of any finish. It was designed to be custom painted by its new owner. This particular version was produced in 1975.

Most were painted white to match the paper stickers that came with the bank, which commemorated America's Bicentennial the following year.

I custom painted an Astro Berzac Bank to match a Japanese tin lithograph copy...I finally finished the checkerboards today after months of building up the courage, since I am definitely not an artist.

I soon had a thought, "Why not have Mr. Peter Max paint my Vacumet model?"

The final two are my very special, unique Peter Max commissions; Berzac Bank #1 honors my company, Space Truckin'...and Berzac Bank #2 commemorates America's 240th Anniversary next July 4th...

The story of these historically significant American artifacts may be read here: http://www.go-star.com/antiquing/space-banks.htm

VACUMET BERZAC BANKS PLUS 001.JPG

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What a great looking collection. The Peter Max version really stand out in there amazing colors.  :thumbs:   :thumbs:

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto..!

I've contacted another great American artist, and am going to commission him to do another Vacumet specimen...

I will post picture once that work is completed..!

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  • 5 months later...

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