The island began to fill with settlers and just as soon acquired a reputation as a "deadly nest" of pirates and disease. "In another time and place, such a reputation may have killed the settlement," Ogle explains. "But in early-nineteenth-century America—alive with the pioneering spirit—that reputation only added to Key West's allure." As Simonton himself put it, "Capital and capitalists will always go where profit is to be found."

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Register to receive updates when we add new items. Your information is confidential. We never release it to others. Privacy policy. Required Fields Email Confirm your email address Your Name General UpdatesWhen we add any antiques or folk art to the site. This will include whirligigs, weather vanes, and windmill weights. Only Whirligigs, Weather Vanes, and Windmill Weights       Get Other Individual Category Updates If there is any problem with registering, please Home Page | Site Guide | Top of page | Inventory | Ordering | Contents | Search What's New | Using the Site | Resources | Featured Sale | Contact Us Comments: Artisans: Matt Lippa or Elizabeth Schaaf (256) 886-2809   (9AM - 5PM Central Time Only please.) Mailing address Copyright © 1995-2024 Artisans. All Rights Reserved.

This is a primitive whirligig with a man chopping wood and a woman scrubbing laundry. The people are cut from boards, with metal arms and legs. The laundry tub is a metal can, filled with tar or pitch to hold the wooden washboard in place. There is a rusted wire "picket fence" around the base. The whirligig has been mounted on a more recent wooden stand. The overall size is 38" long by 22" high as mounted; the blade is 16" across. From the first half of the 20th century, it is in very good, weathered condition with minor loss to the wire fence. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: CTAH.   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a very folky one-of-a-kind rooster weathervane made from galvanized sheet metal. The rooster was hand cut from two pieces and put together. It then was bolted with supports to part of a ventilator from a silo or barn, which had a shaft with a hole put inside so the entire piece could rotate in the wind. The word "Rock" is painted on one side of the tail in subtle, silver-gray paint. This unusual piece came from the Midwest, likely Iowa, and was probably made in the 1940's or 50's. Being metal, there is some little rust, oxidation, and outside wear, but it is in generally very good condition. The body of the rooster is 23" long by 19" high. As mounted, it is 26 1/2" long by 28 1/4" high by 13 1/2" wide. We still have the ventilator, and it can be easily reassembled if you prefer it mounted that way. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: AKOT.   Metal rooster ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of head ... Closeup of tail, with "Rock" ... Closeup of body ... Closeup of head, other side ... Tail, other side ... Body, other side ... Front and back views ... Closeup from the front ... Closeup of the base ... Mounted on the ventilator ... Front view, on ventilator ... With a soda can for scale. This is a good sized whirligig of a man sawing wood with a stylized tree supporting the blade. It has very folky construction. Likely from the 1940's, the mechanism works. The man's arms move and the saw cuts as the front blade turns. It is an old repaint in dark green, yellow, and a muted orange over dark red. The man has interesting and unusual metal pieces added on the sides for strength. The condition is excellent with one old break on the front of the man's cap. This piece is about 28" long and stands about 34" high on the newer metal base and rod. The blades are 18" across. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CWWT.   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. This is a good looking and colorful whirligig of a uniformed drummer. As the vividly striped blade turns, the drummer's arms alternate up and down, beating the sticks on the drum. The whirligig is made from 1/2" pine, mounted on a metal base. It is 11 1/2" long by 20 1/2" high as mounted. The man is 8 1/2" tall and the blade is 12" across. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in very good, slightly weathered condition. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: CCWP.   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb].   Register to receive updates when we add new items. Your information is confidential. We never release it to others. Privacy policy. Required Fields Email Confirm your email address Your Name General UpdatesWhen we add any antiques or folk art to the site. This will include whirligigs, weather vanes, and windmill weights. Only Whirligigs, Weather Vanes, and Windmill Weights       Get Other Individual Category Updates If there is any problem with registering, please Home Page | Site Guide | Top of page | Inventory | Ordering | Contents | Search What's New | Using the Site | Resources | Featured Sale | Contact Us Comments: Artisans: Matt Lippa or Elizabeth Schaaf (256) 886-2809   (9AM - 5PM Central Time Only please.) Mailing address Copyright © 1995-2024 Artisans. All Rights Reserved.

This is a whirligig of John Henry working on the railroad. It was made by Ed Smith of Conover, NC. The carved, jointed figure goes up and down, hammering on the track as the blades turn. There is a plastic model box car on the track, and the blades are Conover license plates from 1978. The tail is a somewhat battered piece of sheet metal painted white on one side. The whirligig is 45" long by 27" across the blades. The man is 10 1/4" tall. As mounted on the wooden display base, it is about 28" high to the top of his head, or 33" to the top of the blade. It was made c. 1985, and is in very good, weathered condition. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CAKH.   John Henry whirligig ... With blades turned ... Closeup of the figure ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Another closeup of the man ... Closeup, one side ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup from behind ... Closeup of blades ... Closeup of the boxcar ... Closeup of the tail ... Other side of the tail ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   John Henry whirligig ... With blades turned ... Closeup of the figure ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Another closeup of the man ... Closeup, one side ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup from behind ... Closeup of blades ... Closeup of the boxcar ... Other side of the tail ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a very strong pair of carvings. The man and woman have jointed arms and are each holding knives. They have incised details, small nails for eyes, and are weathered from outdoor use. These may have been made as whirligigs, however, though the arms can be moved, they do not now spin freely. "Maria" is written on the base of the woman. The man has an inscription on his belt: "Och Jubla Som Barnen Jubla", which Google translates as Swedish for "and rejoice as the children rejoice". The figures were found in Missouri and are from the first half of the 20th century. They are in good, weathered condition with minor surface wear as seen in the photos. The woman has chips missing from the back of her head and her left shoulder. With the arms positioned as they show in the photos, the man is 14 1/2" high by 5 3/4" wide by 10" deep. The woman is 12 1/4" high by 5 1/2" wide by 8 1/2" deep. The price for the pair is $1750.00. Inventory Code: COHT.   Folk art carvings ... Front view ... Closeup of the woman ... Closeup of the man ... Another overall angle ... Fourth view of both ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Another closeup of the woman ... Closeup, from the back ... Closeup from the side ... The woman, from above ... Her feet from above ... Another closeup of the man ... Third closeup of the man ... Closeup from the back ... Closeup of the belt ... Another closeup of the belt ... Closeup of the feet ... The man, from above ... Both, from below ... With a soda can for scale. This whimsical metal weather vane arrow was hand made on a doorknob base. It is 24" long by 5" high, the point is 2" wide. It was most likely made in the 1940's or 50's. It has weathered green paint over remnants of red, and is in excellent condition. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: AWTT.   Doorknob weathervane ... The other side, upside down ... Closeup of point ... Closeup of tail. This is a colorful whirligig with two farmers and a barn for the tail. One figure is sawing a log, the other is swinging a sledge hammer. They are geared separately, so the saw goes back and forth with each turn of the blade, but the hammer only goes up and down after several turns. The whirligig is 26" long by 3 3/4" wide, with a blade about 14" in diameter. The figures are about 7" tall. As mounted it stands 19" high. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in good, used, and weathered condition. The paint is weathered with some minor flaking. There are small age cracks and a chip missing from one corner of the barn. All of the blades have a glue line down the middle - this appears to be how they were originally made rather than repairs, because they are all the same. The whirligig lifts off the base easily. The price is $365.00. Inventory Code: CRPS.   Farm whirligig ... The other side ... Third angle ... Fourth view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another back view ... Closeup, man with hammer ... The other side ... Hammer moved ... Closeup, man with saw ... Both figures ... From above ... Another closeup from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. A nice wooden horse weather vane in weathered gray and black paint on both sides. An old spark plug was added to the front of the arrow to make it balance. It is 44 1/2" long by 16" high. The horse is cut from 1/2" plywood; the arrow is solid wood 1 1/2" thick. There is a metal plate with a hole for the pivot underneath. From Indiana, c. 1940's, it is in very good condition with a few very minor chips. The price is $295.00. Inventory Code: ASHS.   Horse weathervane ... The other side ... Closeup of the horse ... Closeup of the horse, other side ... Closeup of the arrow and sparkplug ... Closeup of the arrow, other side ... From above ... From below. This is a very folky metal whirligig made from found objects. It has several layers of really worn and weathered paint, mainly white and red with black and yellow highlights and a fair amount of bare metal showing through. It is mounted on a newer metal display base. It stands 25 3/4" high by 18" long. From the 20th century, it is in good, sturdy, very weathered condition. The action works. The price is $1200.00. Inventory Code: CWWH.   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a primitive whirligig with a man chopping wood and a woman scrubbing laundry. The people are cut from boards, with metal arms and legs. The laundry tub is a metal can, filled with tar or pitch to hold the wooden washboard in place. There is a rusted wire "picket fence" around the base. The whirligig has been mounted on a more recent wooden stand. The overall size is 38" long by 22" high as mounted; the blade is 16" across. From the first half of the 20th century, it is in very good, weathered condition with minor loss to the wire fence. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: CTAH.   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a very folky one-of-a-kind rooster weathervane made from galvanized sheet metal. The rooster was hand cut from two pieces and put together. It then was bolted with supports to part of a ventilator from a silo or barn, which had a shaft with a hole put inside so the entire piece could rotate in the wind. The word "Rock" is painted on one side of the tail in subtle, silver-gray paint. This unusual piece came from the Midwest, likely Iowa, and was probably made in the 1940's or 50's. Being metal, there is some little rust, oxidation, and outside wear, but it is in generally very good condition. The body of the rooster is 23" long by 19" high. As mounted, it is 26 1/2" long by 28 1/4" high by 13 1/2" wide. We still have the ventilator, and it can be easily reassembled if you prefer it mounted that way. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: AKOT.   Metal rooster ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of head ... Closeup of tail, with "Rock" ... Closeup of body ... Closeup of head, other side ... Tail, other side ... Body, other side ... Front and back views ... Closeup from the front ... Closeup of the base ... Mounted on the ventilator ... Front view, on ventilator ... With a soda can for scale. This is a good sized whirligig of a man sawing wood with a stylized tree supporting the blade. It has very folky construction. Likely from the 1940's, the mechanism works. The man's arms move and the saw cuts as the front blade turns. It is an old repaint in dark green, yellow, and a muted orange over dark red. The man has interesting and unusual metal pieces added on the sides for strength. The condition is excellent with one old break on the front of the man's cap. This piece is about 28" long and stands about 34" high on the newer metal base and rod. The blades are 18" across. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CWWT.   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. This is a good looking and colorful whirligig of a uniformed drummer. As the vividly striped blade turns, the drummer's arms alternate up and down, beating the sticks on the drum. The whirligig is made from 1/2" pine, mounted on a metal base. It is 11 1/2" long by 20 1/2" high as mounted. The man is 8 1/2" tall and the blade is 12" across. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in very good, slightly weathered condition. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: CCWP.   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb].   Register to receive updates when we add new items. Your information is confidential. We never release it to others. Privacy policy. Required Fields Email Confirm your email address Your Name General UpdatesWhen we add any antiques or folk art to the site. This will include whirligigs, weather vanes, and windmill weights. Only Whirligigs, Weather Vanes, and Windmill Weights       Get Other Individual Category Updates If there is any problem with registering, please Home Page | Site Guide | Top of page | Inventory | Ordering | Contents | Search What's New | Using the Site | Resources | Featured Sale | Contact Us Comments: Artisans: Matt Lippa or Elizabeth Schaaf (256) 886-2809   (9AM - 5PM Central Time Only please.) Mailing address Copyright © 1995-2024 Artisans. All Rights Reserved.

Wrecking, or salvaging the cargo of distressed sea vessels, was the town's chief industry. Wreckers provided an invaluable service, venturing out during violent storms at grave risk to themselves to prevent the loss of both life and goods when ships foundered on the hazardous coral reefs. "It was a vocation regulated by few laws," writes Victoria Shearer in It Happened in the Florida Keys, "but governed by firm rules of honor: The first wrecking vessel to arrive at a distressed ship became the wrecking master of record, directing the salvage and earning a larger share of the proceeds. Other wreckers received shares in proportion to the amount of tonnage they saved."

By the early 20th century, Key West was gaining fame as a haven of vice. Saloons lined Duval Street. Gambling and prostitution were major attractions.

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On April 18, without warning, the U.S. Border Patrol set up a checkpoint on U.S. Highway 1 at the top of the Keys—the only road out of town—and began searching all vehicles attempting to pass north onto the mainland. By some reports, the roadblock caused traffic to back up for 19 miles. Motorists, most of whom were vacationers headed home at the end of the weekend, sat for hours in the heat waiting for their chance to pass.

Required Fields Email Confirm your email address Your Name General UpdatesWhen we add any antiques or folk art to the site. This will include whirligigs, weather vanes, and windmill weights. Only Whirligigs, Weather Vanes, and Windmill Weights       Get Other Individual Category Updates If there is any problem with registering, please

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Today, Conch Republic apparel is available at pretty much all of Key West's many, many T-shirt shops. A 10-day "independence" celebration happens every April, drawing thousands to the island. (The festivities include a mock battle in which combatants pelt naval vessels with water balloons and conch fritters.) Community leaders boast that Conchs are a people with a "sovereign state of mind." The micronation even sells novelty passports—and there are documented cases of holders successfully using them to travel abroad and reenter the United States. Sovereign, indeed!

In 1994, the Conchs sent an "official" delegation to the Summit of the Americas in Miami. In 1995, when a government shutdown in Washington caused the closure of Dry Tortugas National Park, just off the Florida coast, the Republic "threatened to use three antique biplanes loaded with stale Cuban bread to bomb the park's Fort Jefferson" unless the popular tourist destination was reopened, Shearer writes.

Key West naturally selected for a certain anti-authoritarian disposition. When state health officials responded to an 1896 smallpox outbreak by establishing a quarantine camp and closing the harbor, residents "balked," Ogle recounts. "At a town meeting, seven hundred people listened as one speaker after another denounced government interference. Key Westers paid taxes and got nothing but grief" from the state capital, they said. Eventually, "the crowd voted to inform the state legislature of their desire to secede."

A nice wooden horse weather vane in weathered gray and black paint on both sides. An old spark plug was added to the front of the arrow to make it balance. It is 44 1/2" long by 16" high. The horse is cut from 1/2" plywood; the arrow is solid wood 1 1/2" thick. There is a metal plate with a hole for the pivot underneath. From Indiana, c. 1940's, it is in very good condition with a few very minor chips. The price is $295.00. Inventory Code: ASHS.   Horse weathervane ... The other side ... Closeup of the horse ... Closeup of the horse, other side ... Closeup of the arrow and sparkplug ... Closeup of the arrow, other side ... From above ... From below. This is a very folky metal whirligig made from found objects. It has several layers of really worn and weathered paint, mainly white and red with black and yellow highlights and a fair amount of bare metal showing through. It is mounted on a newer metal display base. It stands 25 3/4" high by 18" long. From the 20th century, it is in good, sturdy, very weathered condition. The action works. The price is $1200.00. Inventory Code: CWWH.   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a primitive whirligig with a man chopping wood and a woman scrubbing laundry. The people are cut from boards, with metal arms and legs. The laundry tub is a metal can, filled with tar or pitch to hold the wooden washboard in place. There is a rusted wire "picket fence" around the base. The whirligig has been mounted on a more recent wooden stand. The overall size is 38" long by 22" high as mounted; the blade is 16" across. From the first half of the 20th century, it is in very good, weathered condition with minor loss to the wire fence. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: CTAH.   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a very folky one-of-a-kind rooster weathervane made from galvanized sheet metal. The rooster was hand cut from two pieces and put together. It then was bolted with supports to part of a ventilator from a silo or barn, which had a shaft with a hole put inside so the entire piece could rotate in the wind. The word "Rock" is painted on one side of the tail in subtle, silver-gray paint. This unusual piece came from the Midwest, likely Iowa, and was probably made in the 1940's or 50's. Being metal, there is some little rust, oxidation, and outside wear, but it is in generally very good condition. The body of the rooster is 23" long by 19" high. As mounted, it is 26 1/2" long by 28 1/4" high by 13 1/2" wide. We still have the ventilator, and it can be easily reassembled if you prefer it mounted that way. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: AKOT.   Metal rooster ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of head ... Closeup of tail, with "Rock" ... Closeup of body ... Closeup of head, other side ... Tail, other side ... Body, other side ... Front and back views ... Closeup from the front ... Closeup of the base ... Mounted on the ventilator ... Front view, on ventilator ... With a soda can for scale. This is a good sized whirligig of a man sawing wood with a stylized tree supporting the blade. It has very folky construction. Likely from the 1940's, the mechanism works. The man's arms move and the saw cuts as the front blade turns. It is an old repaint in dark green, yellow, and a muted orange over dark red. The man has interesting and unusual metal pieces added on the sides for strength. The condition is excellent with one old break on the front of the man's cap. This piece is about 28" long and stands about 34" high on the newer metal base and rod. The blades are 18" across. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CWWT.   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. This is a good looking and colorful whirligig of a uniformed drummer. As the vividly striped blade turns, the drummer's arms alternate up and down, beating the sticks on the drum. The whirligig is made from 1/2" pine, mounted on a metal base. It is 11 1/2" long by 20 1/2" high as mounted. The man is 8 1/2" tall and the blade is 12" across. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in very good, slightly weathered condition. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: CCWP.   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb].   Register to receive updates when we add new items. Your information is confidential. We never release it to others. Privacy policy. Required Fields Email Confirm your email address Your Name General UpdatesWhen we add any antiques or folk art to the site. This will include whirligigs, weather vanes, and windmill weights. Only Whirligigs, Weather Vanes, and Windmill Weights       Get Other Individual Category Updates If there is any problem with registering, please Home Page | Site Guide | Top of page | Inventory | Ordering | Contents | Search What's New | Using the Site | Resources | Featured Sale | Contact Us Comments: Artisans: Matt Lippa or Elizabeth Schaaf (256) 886-2809   (9AM - 5PM Central Time Only please.) Mailing address Copyright © 1995-2024 Artisans. All Rights Reserved.

This is a nicely painted whirligig of a bearded man sawing wood. It is made of wood with four yellow blades and a pine tree for a tail. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in very good, weathered condition. It has been mounted on a newer wood base. The whirligig itself is 26" long. The blade is 18" across and the man stands just over 8" tall. As mounted it is 29" long by 21" high overall. The price is $275.00. Inventory Code: CTAT.   Wood cutter whirligig ... The other side ... Another angle ... Front view ... Closeup ... Closer view of man ... Closeup, sawing ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Wood cutter whirligig ... The other side ... Another angle ... Front view ... Closeup ... Closer view of man ... Closeup, sawing ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a very folky wood and metal whirligig of a man driving a horse and buggy, followed by a dog. It has "Uncle Billy" painted on both sides. The colors are rich, deep, red, pumpkin, yellow, brown, and silver. Some of the paint is finely crazed. The figures are sheet metal, except for the man's arm, which is wood. The propeller is wood with metal vanes. It is mounted on a turned wooden finial. It is in very good, used and weathered condition, with minor paint wear, some bends in the propeller blades, and a chip off the base of the finial. Age is from the first half of the 20th century, likely 1930's or 40's. It stands 18" high by 17" long. The propeller is 13" across. The price is $895.00. Inventory Code: CWWC.   "Uncle Billy whirligig" ... The other side ... Another angle ... A fourth view ... Closeup ... Closeup, figures moved ... Closeup other side ... Front view ... Back view ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   "Uncle Billy whirligig" ... The other side ... Another angle ... A fourth view ... Closeup ... Closeup, figures moved ... Closeup other side ... Front view ... Back view ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a woodchopper whirligig found in a barn in New Hampshire. The man, tree, and axe are made from pine, with plywood arms. The paint has good color with a bit of wear and has one or two small flakes present. This man stands 9 3/4" when upright, and the tree is 2 7/8" high. The pine blade is painted with horizontal stripes. The front of the woodcutter's cap is missing, and the front of his right foot was replaced some time ago. Otherwise the condition is very good. It was likely made in the 1960's or 70's, mounted on a newer base. The length is about 15 1/2" while the blades are about 14" across. It is 20 1/2" high when the man stands up. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: TRPT.   Woodcutter whirligig ... The other side ... Axe raised ... Closeup of the wood cutter ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup from front ... Front view ... Closeup of the blade ... Back view ... From above ... With a soda can for scale. This is a whirligig of John Henry working on the railroad. It was made by Ed Smith of Conover, NC. The carved, jointed figure goes up and down, hammering on the track as the blades turn. There is a plastic model box car on the track, and the blades are Conover license plates from 1978. The tail is a somewhat battered piece of sheet metal painted white on one side. The whirligig is 45" long by 27" across the blades. The man is 10 1/4" tall. As mounted on the wooden display base, it is about 28" high to the top of his head, or 33" to the top of the blade. It was made c. 1985, and is in very good, weathered condition. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CAKH.   John Henry whirligig ... With blades turned ... Closeup of the figure ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Another closeup of the man ... Closeup, one side ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup from behind ... Closeup of blades ... Closeup of the boxcar ... Closeup of the tail ... Other side of the tail ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   John Henry whirligig ... With blades turned ... Closeup of the figure ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Another closeup of the man ... Closeup, one side ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup from behind ... Closeup of blades ... Closeup of the boxcar ... Other side of the tail ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a very strong pair of carvings. The man and woman have jointed arms and are each holding knives. They have incised details, small nails for eyes, and are weathered from outdoor use. These may have been made as whirligigs, however, though the arms can be moved, they do not now spin freely. "Maria" is written on the base of the woman. The man has an inscription on his belt: "Och Jubla Som Barnen Jubla", which Google translates as Swedish for "and rejoice as the children rejoice". The figures were found in Missouri and are from the first half of the 20th century. They are in good, weathered condition with minor surface wear as seen in the photos. The woman has chips missing from the back of her head and her left shoulder. With the arms positioned as they show in the photos, the man is 14 1/2" high by 5 3/4" wide by 10" deep. The woman is 12 1/4" high by 5 1/2" wide by 8 1/2" deep. The price for the pair is $1750.00. Inventory Code: COHT.   Folk art carvings ... Front view ... Closeup of the woman ... Closeup of the man ... Another overall angle ... Fourth view of both ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Another closeup of the woman ... Closeup, from the back ... Closeup from the side ... The woman, from above ... Her feet from above ... Another closeup of the man ... Third closeup of the man ... Closeup from the back ... Closeup of the belt ... Another closeup of the belt ... Closeup of the feet ... The man, from above ... Both, from below ... With a soda can for scale. This whimsical metal weather vane arrow was hand made on a doorknob base. It is 24" long by 5" high, the point is 2" wide. It was most likely made in the 1940's or 50's. It has weathered green paint over remnants of red, and is in excellent condition. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: AWTT.   Doorknob weathervane ... The other side, upside down ... Closeup of point ... Closeup of tail. This is a colorful whirligig with two farmers and a barn for the tail. One figure is sawing a log, the other is swinging a sledge hammer. They are geared separately, so the saw goes back and forth with each turn of the blade, but the hammer only goes up and down after several turns. The whirligig is 26" long by 3 3/4" wide, with a blade about 14" in diameter. The figures are about 7" tall. As mounted it stands 19" high. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in good, used, and weathered condition. The paint is weathered with some minor flaking. There are small age cracks and a chip missing from one corner of the barn. All of the blades have a glue line down the middle - this appears to be how they were originally made rather than repairs, because they are all the same. The whirligig lifts off the base easily. The price is $365.00. Inventory Code: CRPS.   Farm whirligig ... The other side ... Third angle ... Fourth view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another back view ... Closeup, man with hammer ... The other side ... Hammer moved ... Closeup, man with saw ... Both figures ... From above ... Another closeup from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. A nice wooden horse weather vane in weathered gray and black paint on both sides. An old spark plug was added to the front of the arrow to make it balance. It is 44 1/2" long by 16" high. The horse is cut from 1/2" plywood; the arrow is solid wood 1 1/2" thick. There is a metal plate with a hole for the pivot underneath. From Indiana, c. 1940's, it is in very good condition with a few very minor chips. The price is $295.00. Inventory Code: ASHS.   Horse weathervane ... The other side ... Closeup of the horse ... Closeup of the horse, other side ... Closeup of the arrow and sparkplug ... Closeup of the arrow, other side ... From above ... From below. This is a very folky metal whirligig made from found objects. It has several layers of really worn and weathered paint, mainly white and red with black and yellow highlights and a fair amount of bare metal showing through. It is mounted on a newer metal display base. It stands 25 3/4" high by 18" long. From the 20th century, it is in good, sturdy, very weathered condition. The action works. The price is $1200.00. Inventory Code: CWWH.   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a primitive whirligig with a man chopping wood and a woman scrubbing laundry. The people are cut from boards, with metal arms and legs. The laundry tub is a metal can, filled with tar or pitch to hold the wooden washboard in place. There is a rusted wire "picket fence" around the base. The whirligig has been mounted on a more recent wooden stand. The overall size is 38" long by 22" high as mounted; the blade is 16" across. From the first half of the 20th century, it is in very good, weathered condition with minor loss to the wire fence. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: CTAH.   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a very folky one-of-a-kind rooster weathervane made from galvanized sheet metal. The rooster was hand cut from two pieces and put together. It then was bolted with supports to part of a ventilator from a silo or barn, which had a shaft with a hole put inside so the entire piece could rotate in the wind. The word "Rock" is painted on one side of the tail in subtle, silver-gray paint. This unusual piece came from the Midwest, likely Iowa, and was probably made in the 1940's or 50's. Being metal, there is some little rust, oxidation, and outside wear, but it is in generally very good condition. The body of the rooster is 23" long by 19" high. As mounted, it is 26 1/2" long by 28 1/4" high by 13 1/2" wide. We still have the ventilator, and it can be easily reassembled if you prefer it mounted that way. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: AKOT.   Metal rooster ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of head ... Closeup of tail, with "Rock" ... Closeup of body ... Closeup of head, other side ... Tail, other side ... Body, other side ... Front and back views ... Closeup from the front ... Closeup of the base ... Mounted on the ventilator ... Front view, on ventilator ... With a soda can for scale. This is a good sized whirligig of a man sawing wood with a stylized tree supporting the blade. It has very folky construction. Likely from the 1940's, the mechanism works. The man's arms move and the saw cuts as the front blade turns. It is an old repaint in dark green, yellow, and a muted orange over dark red. The man has interesting and unusual metal pieces added on the sides for strength. The condition is excellent with one old break on the front of the man's cap. This piece is about 28" long and stands about 34" high on the newer metal base and rod. The blades are 18" across. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CWWT.   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. This is a good looking and colorful whirligig of a uniformed drummer. As the vividly striped blade turns, the drummer's arms alternate up and down, beating the sticks on the drum. The whirligig is made from 1/2" pine, mounted on a metal base. It is 11 1/2" long by 20 1/2" high as mounted. The man is 8 1/2" tall and the blade is 12" across. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in very good, slightly weathered condition. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: CCWP.   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb].   Register to receive updates when we add new items. Your information is confidential. We never release it to others. Privacy policy. Required Fields Email Confirm your email address Your Name General UpdatesWhen we add any antiques or folk art to the site. This will include whirligigs, weather vanes, and windmill weights. Only Whirligigs, Weather Vanes, and Windmill Weights       Get Other Individual Category Updates If there is any problem with registering, please Home Page | Site Guide | Top of page | Inventory | Ordering | Contents | Search What's New | Using the Site | Resources | Featured Sale | Contact Us Comments: Artisans: Matt Lippa or Elizabeth Schaaf (256) 886-2809   (9AM - 5PM Central Time Only please.) Mailing address Copyright © 1995-2024 Artisans. All Rights Reserved.

The United States acquired the island of Key West through neither military conquest nor diplomatic treaty. In good American fashion, it was purchased with private funds.

Perhaps the least libertarian aspect of Key West history, then, is that its fame as a hub of arts and culture was purchased in sizable part with tax money. But that story's epilogue is worth bearing in mind: After the New Deal programs dried up, locals created an arts league in an effort to maintain their new reputation. Stone himself, "back in town as a practicing attorney and mover-and-shaker, served as one of the organization's first presidents," Ogle writes. "Later, he would flee the island when one of his many shady deals turned sour."

Leading lights such as Hemingway and Frost, lamenting the touristification of the island, decamped. But those who remained bet on the allure of "bohemianism," producing glossy brochures that, in Ogle's words, "played up the island's live-and-let-live attitude and portrayed the community as a hotbed of eccentricity." Later, the same spirit would make Key West into a gay enclave famous for its drag shows.

"Uncle Billy" metal and wood whirligig Wooden horse weathervane Folky metal whirligig Primitive whirligig of man chopping, woman washing Drummer whirligig Folky wood cutter whirligig from NH Folky painted whirligig of man sawing wood John Henry railroad whirligig Large metalrooster weathervane Bearded man sawing wood whirligig Pair of carved figures with knives Doorknob weathervane Farm whirligig This is a nicely painted whirligig of a bearded man sawing wood. It is made of wood with four yellow blades and a pine tree for a tail. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in very good, weathered condition. It has been mounted on a newer wood base. The whirligig itself is 26" long. The blade is 18" across and the man stands just over 8" tall. As mounted it is 29" long by 21" high overall. The price is $275.00. Inventory Code: CTAT.   Wood cutter whirligig ... The other side ... Another angle ... Front view ... Closeup ... Closer view of man ... Closeup, sawing ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Wood cutter whirligig ... The other side ... Another angle ... Front view ... Closeup ... Closer view of man ... Closeup, sawing ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a very folky wood and metal whirligig of a man driving a horse and buggy, followed by a dog. It has "Uncle Billy" painted on both sides. The colors are rich, deep, red, pumpkin, yellow, brown, and silver. Some of the paint is finely crazed. The figures are sheet metal, except for the man's arm, which is wood. The propeller is wood with metal vanes. It is mounted on a turned wooden finial. It is in very good, used and weathered condition, with minor paint wear, some bends in the propeller blades, and a chip off the base of the finial. Age is from the first half of the 20th century, likely 1930's or 40's. It stands 18" high by 17" long. The propeller is 13" across. The price is $895.00. Inventory Code: CWWC.   "Uncle Billy whirligig" ... The other side ... Another angle ... A fourth view ... Closeup ... Closeup, figures moved ... Closeup other side ... Front view ... Back view ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   "Uncle Billy whirligig" ... The other side ... Another angle ... A fourth view ... Closeup ... Closeup, figures moved ... Closeup other side ... Front view ... Back view ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a woodchopper whirligig found in a barn in New Hampshire. The man, tree, and axe are made from pine, with plywood arms. The paint has good color with a bit of wear and has one or two small flakes present. This man stands 9 3/4" when upright, and the tree is 2 7/8" high. The pine blade is painted with horizontal stripes. The front of the woodcutter's cap is missing, and the front of his right foot was replaced some time ago. Otherwise the condition is very good. It was likely made in the 1960's or 70's, mounted on a newer base. The length is about 15 1/2" while the blades are about 14" across. It is 20 1/2" high when the man stands up. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: TRPT.   Woodcutter whirligig ... The other side ... Axe raised ... Closeup of the wood cutter ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup from front ... Front view ... Closeup of the blade ... Back view ... From above ... With a soda can for scale. This is a whirligig of John Henry working on the railroad. It was made by Ed Smith of Conover, NC. The carved, jointed figure goes up and down, hammering on the track as the blades turn. There is a plastic model box car on the track, and the blades are Conover license plates from 1978. The tail is a somewhat battered piece of sheet metal painted white on one side. The whirligig is 45" long by 27" across the blades. The man is 10 1/4" tall. As mounted on the wooden display base, it is about 28" high to the top of his head, or 33" to the top of the blade. It was made c. 1985, and is in very good, weathered condition. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CAKH.   John Henry whirligig ... With blades turned ... Closeup of the figure ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Another closeup of the man ... Closeup, one side ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup from behind ... Closeup of blades ... Closeup of the boxcar ... Closeup of the tail ... Other side of the tail ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   John Henry whirligig ... With blades turned ... Closeup of the figure ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Another closeup of the man ... Closeup, one side ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup from behind ... Closeup of blades ... Closeup of the boxcar ... Other side of the tail ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a very strong pair of carvings. The man and woman have jointed arms and are each holding knives. They have incised details, small nails for eyes, and are weathered from outdoor use. These may have been made as whirligigs, however, though the arms can be moved, they do not now spin freely. "Maria" is written on the base of the woman. The man has an inscription on his belt: "Och Jubla Som Barnen Jubla", which Google translates as Swedish for "and rejoice as the children rejoice". The figures were found in Missouri and are from the first half of the 20th century. They are in good, weathered condition with minor surface wear as seen in the photos. The woman has chips missing from the back of her head and her left shoulder. With the arms positioned as they show in the photos, the man is 14 1/2" high by 5 3/4" wide by 10" deep. The woman is 12 1/4" high by 5 1/2" wide by 8 1/2" deep. The price for the pair is $1750.00. Inventory Code: COHT.   Folk art carvings ... Front view ... Closeup of the woman ... Closeup of the man ... Another overall angle ... Fourth view of both ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Another closeup of the woman ... Closeup, from the back ... Closeup from the side ... The woman, from above ... Her feet from above ... Another closeup of the man ... Third closeup of the man ... Closeup from the back ... Closeup of the belt ... Another closeup of the belt ... Closeup of the feet ... The man, from above ... Both, from below ... With a soda can for scale. This whimsical metal weather vane arrow was hand made on a doorknob base. It is 24" long by 5" high, the point is 2" wide. It was most likely made in the 1940's or 50's. It has weathered green paint over remnants of red, and is in excellent condition. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: AWTT.   Doorknob weathervane ... The other side, upside down ... Closeup of point ... Closeup of tail. This is a colorful whirligig with two farmers and a barn for the tail. One figure is sawing a log, the other is swinging a sledge hammer. They are geared separately, so the saw goes back and forth with each turn of the blade, but the hammer only goes up and down after several turns. The whirligig is 26" long by 3 3/4" wide, with a blade about 14" in diameter. The figures are about 7" tall. As mounted it stands 19" high. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in good, used, and weathered condition. The paint is weathered with some minor flaking. There are small age cracks and a chip missing from one corner of the barn. All of the blades have a glue line down the middle - this appears to be how they were originally made rather than repairs, because they are all the same. The whirligig lifts off the base easily. The price is $365.00. Inventory Code: CRPS.   Farm whirligig ... The other side ... Third angle ... Fourth view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another back view ... Closeup, man with hammer ... The other side ... Hammer moved ... Closeup, man with saw ... Both figures ... From above ... Another closeup from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. A nice wooden horse weather vane in weathered gray and black paint on both sides. An old spark plug was added to the front of the arrow to make it balance. It is 44 1/2" long by 16" high. The horse is cut from 1/2" plywood; the arrow is solid wood 1 1/2" thick. There is a metal plate with a hole for the pivot underneath. From Indiana, c. 1940's, it is in very good condition with a few very minor chips. The price is $295.00. Inventory Code: ASHS.   Horse weathervane ... The other side ... Closeup of the horse ... Closeup of the horse, other side ... Closeup of the arrow and sparkplug ... Closeup of the arrow, other side ... From above ... From below. This is a very folky metal whirligig made from found objects. It has several layers of really worn and weathered paint, mainly white and red with black and yellow highlights and a fair amount of bare metal showing through. It is mounted on a newer metal display base. It stands 25 3/4" high by 18" long. From the 20th century, it is in good, sturdy, very weathered condition. The action works. The price is $1200.00. Inventory Code: CWWH.   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a primitive whirligig with a man chopping wood and a woman scrubbing laundry. The people are cut from boards, with metal arms and legs. The laundry tub is a metal can, filled with tar or pitch to hold the wooden washboard in place. There is a rusted wire "picket fence" around the base. The whirligig has been mounted on a more recent wooden stand. The overall size is 38" long by 22" high as mounted; the blade is 16" across. From the first half of the 20th century, it is in very good, weathered condition with minor loss to the wire fence. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: CTAH.   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a very folky one-of-a-kind rooster weathervane made from galvanized sheet metal. The rooster was hand cut from two pieces and put together. It then was bolted with supports to part of a ventilator from a silo or barn, which had a shaft with a hole put inside so the entire piece could rotate in the wind. The word "Rock" is painted on one side of the tail in subtle, silver-gray paint. This unusual piece came from the Midwest, likely Iowa, and was probably made in the 1940's or 50's. Being metal, there is some little rust, oxidation, and outside wear, but it is in generally very good condition. The body of the rooster is 23" long by 19" high. As mounted, it is 26 1/2" long by 28 1/4" high by 13 1/2" wide. We still have the ventilator, and it can be easily reassembled if you prefer it mounted that way. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: AKOT.   Metal rooster ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of head ... Closeup of tail, with "Rock" ... Closeup of body ... Closeup of head, other side ... Tail, other side ... Body, other side ... Front and back views ... Closeup from the front ... Closeup of the base ... Mounted on the ventilator ... Front view, on ventilator ... With a soda can for scale. This is a good sized whirligig of a man sawing wood with a stylized tree supporting the blade. It has very folky construction. Likely from the 1940's, the mechanism works. The man's arms move and the saw cuts as the front blade turns. It is an old repaint in dark green, yellow, and a muted orange over dark red. The man has interesting and unusual metal pieces added on the sides for strength. The condition is excellent with one old break on the front of the man's cap. This piece is about 28" long and stands about 34" high on the newer metal base and rod. The blades are 18" across. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CWWT.   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. This is a good looking and colorful whirligig of a uniformed drummer. As the vividly striped blade turns, the drummer's arms alternate up and down, beating the sticks on the drum. The whirligig is made from 1/2" pine, mounted on a metal base. It is 11 1/2" long by 20 1/2" high as mounted. The man is 8 1/2" tall and the blade is 12" across. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in very good, slightly weathered condition. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: CCWP.   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb].   Register to receive updates when we add new items. Your information is confidential. We never release it to others. Privacy policy. Required Fields Email Confirm your email address Your Name General UpdatesWhen we add any antiques or folk art to the site. This will include whirligigs, weather vanes, and windmill weights. Only Whirligigs, Weather Vanes, and Windmill Weights       Get Other Individual Category Updates If there is any problem with registering, please Home Page | Site Guide | Top of page | Inventory | Ordering | Contents | Search What's New | Using the Site | Resources | Featured Sale | Contact Us Comments: Artisans: Matt Lippa or Elizabeth Schaaf (256) 886-2809   (9AM - 5PM Central Time Only please.) Mailing address Copyright © 1995-2024 Artisans. All Rights Reserved.

This is a very strong pair of carvings. The man and woman have jointed arms and are each holding knives. They have incised details, small nails for eyes, and are weathered from outdoor use. These may have been made as whirligigs, however, though the arms can be moved, they do not now spin freely. "Maria" is written on the base of the woman. The man has an inscription on his belt: "Och Jubla Som Barnen Jubla", which Google translates as Swedish for "and rejoice as the children rejoice". The figures were found in Missouri and are from the first half of the 20th century. They are in good, weathered condition with minor surface wear as seen in the photos. The woman has chips missing from the back of her head and her left shoulder. With the arms positioned as they show in the photos, the man is 14 1/2" high by 5 3/4" wide by 10" deep. The woman is 12 1/4" high by 5 1/2" wide by 8 1/2" deep. The price for the pair is $1750.00. Inventory Code: COHT.   Folk art carvings ... Front view ... Closeup of the woman ... Closeup of the man ... Another overall angle ... Fourth view of both ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Another closeup of the woman ... Closeup, from the back ... Closeup from the side ... The woman, from above ... Her feet from above ... Another closeup of the man ... Third closeup of the man ... Closeup from the back ... Closeup of the belt ... Another closeup of the belt ... Closeup of the feet ... The man, from above ... Both, from below ... With a soda can for scale. This whimsical metal weather vane arrow was hand made on a doorknob base. It is 24" long by 5" high, the point is 2" wide. It was most likely made in the 1940's or 50's. It has weathered green paint over remnants of red, and is in excellent condition. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: AWTT.   Doorknob weathervane ... The other side, upside down ... Closeup of point ... Closeup of tail. This is a colorful whirligig with two farmers and a barn for the tail. One figure is sawing a log, the other is swinging a sledge hammer. They are geared separately, so the saw goes back and forth with each turn of the blade, but the hammer only goes up and down after several turns. The whirligig is 26" long by 3 3/4" wide, with a blade about 14" in diameter. The figures are about 7" tall. As mounted it stands 19" high. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in good, used, and weathered condition. The paint is weathered with some minor flaking. There are small age cracks and a chip missing from one corner of the barn. All of the blades have a glue line down the middle - this appears to be how they were originally made rather than repairs, because they are all the same. The whirligig lifts off the base easily. The price is $365.00. Inventory Code: CRPS.   Farm whirligig ... The other side ... Third angle ... Fourth view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another back view ... Closeup, man with hammer ... The other side ... Hammer moved ... Closeup, man with saw ... Both figures ... From above ... Another closeup from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. A nice wooden horse weather vane in weathered gray and black paint on both sides. An old spark plug was added to the front of the arrow to make it balance. It is 44 1/2" long by 16" high. The horse is cut from 1/2" plywood; the arrow is solid wood 1 1/2" thick. There is a metal plate with a hole for the pivot underneath. From Indiana, c. 1940's, it is in very good condition with a few very minor chips. The price is $295.00. Inventory Code: ASHS.   Horse weathervane ... The other side ... Closeup of the horse ... Closeup of the horse, other side ... Closeup of the arrow and sparkplug ... Closeup of the arrow, other side ... From above ... From below. This is a very folky metal whirligig made from found objects. It has several layers of really worn and weathered paint, mainly white and red with black and yellow highlights and a fair amount of bare metal showing through. It is mounted on a newer metal display base. It stands 25 3/4" high by 18" long. From the 20th century, it is in good, sturdy, very weathered condition. The action works. The price is $1200.00. Inventory Code: CWWH.   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a primitive whirligig with a man chopping wood and a woman scrubbing laundry. The people are cut from boards, with metal arms and legs. The laundry tub is a metal can, filled with tar or pitch to hold the wooden washboard in place. There is a rusted wire "picket fence" around the base. The whirligig has been mounted on a more recent wooden stand. The overall size is 38" long by 22" high as mounted; the blade is 16" across. From the first half of the 20th century, it is in very good, weathered condition with minor loss to the wire fence. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: CTAH.   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a very folky one-of-a-kind rooster weathervane made from galvanized sheet metal. The rooster was hand cut from two pieces and put together. It then was bolted with supports to part of a ventilator from a silo or barn, which had a shaft with a hole put inside so the entire piece could rotate in the wind. The word "Rock" is painted on one side of the tail in subtle, silver-gray paint. This unusual piece came from the Midwest, likely Iowa, and was probably made in the 1940's or 50's. Being metal, there is some little rust, oxidation, and outside wear, but it is in generally very good condition. The body of the rooster is 23" long by 19" high. As mounted, it is 26 1/2" long by 28 1/4" high by 13 1/2" wide. We still have the ventilator, and it can be easily reassembled if you prefer it mounted that way. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: AKOT.   Metal rooster ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of head ... Closeup of tail, with "Rock" ... Closeup of body ... Closeup of head, other side ... Tail, other side ... Body, other side ... Front and back views ... Closeup from the front ... Closeup of the base ... Mounted on the ventilator ... Front view, on ventilator ... With a soda can for scale. This is a good sized whirligig of a man sawing wood with a stylized tree supporting the blade. It has very folky construction. Likely from the 1940's, the mechanism works. The man's arms move and the saw cuts as the front blade turns. It is an old repaint in dark green, yellow, and a muted orange over dark red. The man has interesting and unusual metal pieces added on the sides for strength. The condition is excellent with one old break on the front of the man's cap. This piece is about 28" long and stands about 34" high on the newer metal base and rod. The blades are 18" across. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CWWT.   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. This is a good looking and colorful whirligig of a uniformed drummer. As the vividly striped blade turns, the drummer's arms alternate up and down, beating the sticks on the drum. The whirligig is made from 1/2" pine, mounted on a metal base. It is 11 1/2" long by 20 1/2" high as mounted. The man is 8 1/2" tall and the blade is 12" across. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in very good, slightly weathered condition. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: CCWP.   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb].   Register to receive updates when we add new items. Your information is confidential. We never release it to others. Privacy policy. Required Fields Email Confirm your email address Your Name General UpdatesWhen we add any antiques or folk art to the site. This will include whirligigs, weather vanes, and windmill weights. Only Whirligigs, Weather Vanes, and Windmill Weights       Get Other Individual Category Updates If there is any problem with registering, please Home Page | Site Guide | Top of page | Inventory | Ordering | Contents | Search What's New | Using the Site | Resources | Featured Sale | Contact Us Comments: Artisans: Matt Lippa or Elizabeth Schaaf (256) 886-2809   (9AM - 5PM Central Time Only please.) Mailing address Copyright © 1995-2024 Artisans. All Rights Reserved.

Conch Republiclocations

On April 23, Wardlow announced that Key West was seceding from the Union. "They're treating us like a foreign country," he said, "so we might as well become one." Assuming the title of prime minister, he lowered the stars and stripes and raised the light blue flag of the fledgling Conch Republic. "We serve notice on the government in Washington," he declared, "to remove the roadblock or get ready to put up a permanent border to a new foreign land. We as a people may have suffered in the past, but we have no intention of suffering in the future at the hands of fools and bureaucrats….We're Conchs and we've had enough."

Around this time, Key Westers (also known as "Conchs") rejoiced when the U.S. Coast Guard relocated its headquarters away from the island. "And why shouldn't they have?" asks Ogle. "From the point of view of Key West rumrunners, the Coast Guard represented unfair competition. As soon as the Guard's servicemen seized a cargo of contraband booze, they turned right around and sold it….Who wouldn't be resentful?"

And there you have the colorful history behind the Key West motto, emblazoned on everything from sweatshirts to souvenir passports: "We seceded where others failed."

The island was uninhabited except by foliage and flamingos when John Whitehead spotted it while sailing from Nassau in 1819. It had little to recommend it—not even a source of fresh water—except a deep harbor, fortuitously placed between America's Eastern Seaboard and the busy gulf port of Mobile, Alabama.

This is a very folky wood and metal whirligig of a man driving a horse and buggy, followed by a dog. It has "Uncle Billy" painted on both sides. The colors are rich, deep, red, pumpkin, yellow, brown, and silver. Some of the paint is finely crazed. The figures are sheet metal, except for the man's arm, which is wood. The propeller is wood with metal vanes. It is mounted on a turned wooden finial. It is in very good, used and weathered condition, with minor paint wear, some bends in the propeller blades, and a chip off the base of the finial. Age is from the first half of the 20th century, likely 1930's or 40's. It stands 18" high by 17" long. The propeller is 13" across. The price is $895.00. Inventory Code: CWWC.   "Uncle Billy whirligig" ... The other side ... Another angle ... A fourth view ... Closeup ... Closeup, figures moved ... Closeup other side ... Front view ... Back view ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   "Uncle Billy whirligig" ... The other side ... Another angle ... A fourth view ... Closeup ... Closeup, figures moved ... Closeup other side ... Front view ... Back view ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a woodchopper whirligig found in a barn in New Hampshire. The man, tree, and axe are made from pine, with plywood arms. The paint has good color with a bit of wear and has one or two small flakes present. This man stands 9 3/4" when upright, and the tree is 2 7/8" high. The pine blade is painted with horizontal stripes. The front of the woodcutter's cap is missing, and the front of his right foot was replaced some time ago. Otherwise the condition is very good. It was likely made in the 1960's or 70's, mounted on a newer base. The length is about 15 1/2" while the blades are about 14" across. It is 20 1/2" high when the man stands up. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: TRPT.   Woodcutter whirligig ... The other side ... Axe raised ... Closeup of the wood cutter ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup from front ... Front view ... Closeup of the blade ... Back view ... From above ... With a soda can for scale. This is a whirligig of John Henry working on the railroad. It was made by Ed Smith of Conover, NC. The carved, jointed figure goes up and down, hammering on the track as the blades turn. There is a plastic model box car on the track, and the blades are Conover license plates from 1978. The tail is a somewhat battered piece of sheet metal painted white on one side. The whirligig is 45" long by 27" across the blades. The man is 10 1/4" tall. As mounted on the wooden display base, it is about 28" high to the top of his head, or 33" to the top of the blade. It was made c. 1985, and is in very good, weathered condition. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CAKH.   John Henry whirligig ... With blades turned ... Closeup of the figure ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Another closeup of the man ... Closeup, one side ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup from behind ... Closeup of blades ... Closeup of the boxcar ... Closeup of the tail ... Other side of the tail ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   John Henry whirligig ... With blades turned ... Closeup of the figure ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Another closeup of the man ... Closeup, one side ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup from behind ... Closeup of blades ... Closeup of the boxcar ... Other side of the tail ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a very strong pair of carvings. The man and woman have jointed arms and are each holding knives. They have incised details, small nails for eyes, and are weathered from outdoor use. These may have been made as whirligigs, however, though the arms can be moved, they do not now spin freely. "Maria" is written on the base of the woman. The man has an inscription on his belt: "Och Jubla Som Barnen Jubla", which Google translates as Swedish for "and rejoice as the children rejoice". The figures were found in Missouri and are from the first half of the 20th century. They are in good, weathered condition with minor surface wear as seen in the photos. The woman has chips missing from the back of her head and her left shoulder. With the arms positioned as they show in the photos, the man is 14 1/2" high by 5 3/4" wide by 10" deep. The woman is 12 1/4" high by 5 1/2" wide by 8 1/2" deep. The price for the pair is $1750.00. Inventory Code: COHT.   Folk art carvings ... Front view ... Closeup of the woman ... Closeup of the man ... Another overall angle ... Fourth view of both ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Another closeup of the woman ... Closeup, from the back ... Closeup from the side ... The woman, from above ... Her feet from above ... Another closeup of the man ... Third closeup of the man ... Closeup from the back ... Closeup of the belt ... Another closeup of the belt ... Closeup of the feet ... The man, from above ... Both, from below ... With a soda can for scale. This whimsical metal weather vane arrow was hand made on a doorknob base. It is 24" long by 5" high, the point is 2" wide. It was most likely made in the 1940's or 50's. It has weathered green paint over remnants of red, and is in excellent condition. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: AWTT.   Doorknob weathervane ... The other side, upside down ... Closeup of point ... Closeup of tail. This is a colorful whirligig with two farmers and a barn for the tail. One figure is sawing a log, the other is swinging a sledge hammer. They are geared separately, so the saw goes back and forth with each turn of the blade, but the hammer only goes up and down after several turns. The whirligig is 26" long by 3 3/4" wide, with a blade about 14" in diameter. The figures are about 7" tall. As mounted it stands 19" high. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in good, used, and weathered condition. The paint is weathered with some minor flaking. There are small age cracks and a chip missing from one corner of the barn. All of the blades have a glue line down the middle - this appears to be how they were originally made rather than repairs, because they are all the same. The whirligig lifts off the base easily. The price is $365.00. Inventory Code: CRPS.   Farm whirligig ... The other side ... Third angle ... Fourth view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another back view ... Closeup, man with hammer ... The other side ... Hammer moved ... Closeup, man with saw ... Both figures ... From above ... Another closeup from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. A nice wooden horse weather vane in weathered gray and black paint on both sides. An old spark plug was added to the front of the arrow to make it balance. It is 44 1/2" long by 16" high. The horse is cut from 1/2" plywood; the arrow is solid wood 1 1/2" thick. There is a metal plate with a hole for the pivot underneath. From Indiana, c. 1940's, it is in very good condition with a few very minor chips. The price is $295.00. Inventory Code: ASHS.   Horse weathervane ... The other side ... Closeup of the horse ... Closeup of the horse, other side ... Closeup of the arrow and sparkplug ... Closeup of the arrow, other side ... From above ... From below. This is a very folky metal whirligig made from found objects. It has several layers of really worn and weathered paint, mainly white and red with black and yellow highlights and a fair amount of bare metal showing through. It is mounted on a newer metal display base. It stands 25 3/4" high by 18" long. From the 20th century, it is in good, sturdy, very weathered condition. The action works. The price is $1200.00. Inventory Code: CWWH.   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a primitive whirligig with a man chopping wood and a woman scrubbing laundry. The people are cut from boards, with metal arms and legs. The laundry tub is a metal can, filled with tar or pitch to hold the wooden washboard in place. There is a rusted wire "picket fence" around the base. The whirligig has been mounted on a more recent wooden stand. The overall size is 38" long by 22" high as mounted; the blade is 16" across. From the first half of the 20th century, it is in very good, weathered condition with minor loss to the wire fence. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: CTAH.   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a very folky one-of-a-kind rooster weathervane made from galvanized sheet metal. The rooster was hand cut from two pieces and put together. It then was bolted with supports to part of a ventilator from a silo or barn, which had a shaft with a hole put inside so the entire piece could rotate in the wind. The word "Rock" is painted on one side of the tail in subtle, silver-gray paint. This unusual piece came from the Midwest, likely Iowa, and was probably made in the 1940's or 50's. Being metal, there is some little rust, oxidation, and outside wear, but it is in generally very good condition. The body of the rooster is 23" long by 19" high. As mounted, it is 26 1/2" long by 28 1/4" high by 13 1/2" wide. We still have the ventilator, and it can be easily reassembled if you prefer it mounted that way. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: AKOT.   Metal rooster ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of head ... Closeup of tail, with "Rock" ... Closeup of body ... Closeup of head, other side ... Tail, other side ... Body, other side ... Front and back views ... Closeup from the front ... Closeup of the base ... Mounted on the ventilator ... Front view, on ventilator ... With a soda can for scale. This is a good sized whirligig of a man sawing wood with a stylized tree supporting the blade. It has very folky construction. Likely from the 1940's, the mechanism works. The man's arms move and the saw cuts as the front blade turns. It is an old repaint in dark green, yellow, and a muted orange over dark red. The man has interesting and unusual metal pieces added on the sides for strength. The condition is excellent with one old break on the front of the man's cap. This piece is about 28" long and stands about 34" high on the newer metal base and rod. The blades are 18" across. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CWWT.   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. This is a good looking and colorful whirligig of a uniformed drummer. As the vividly striped blade turns, the drummer's arms alternate up and down, beating the sticks on the drum. The whirligig is made from 1/2" pine, mounted on a metal base. It is 11 1/2" long by 20 1/2" high as mounted. The man is 8 1/2" tall and the blade is 12" across. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in very good, slightly weathered condition. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: CCWP.   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb].   Register to receive updates when we add new items. Your information is confidential. We never release it to others. Privacy policy. Required Fields Email Confirm your email address Your Name General UpdatesWhen we add any antiques or folk art to the site. This will include whirligigs, weather vanes, and windmill weights. Only Whirligigs, Weather Vanes, and Windmill Weights       Get Other Individual Category Updates If there is any problem with registering, please Home Page | Site Guide | Top of page | Inventory | Ordering | Contents | Search What's New | Using the Site | Resources | Featured Sale | Contact Us Comments: Artisans: Matt Lippa or Elizabeth Schaaf (256) 886-2809   (9AM - 5PM Central Time Only please.) Mailing address Copyright © 1995-2024 Artisans. All Rights Reserved.

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This whimsical metal weather vane arrow was hand made on a doorknob base. It is 24" long by 5" high, the point is 2" wide. It was most likely made in the 1940's or 50's. It has weathered green paint over remnants of red, and is in excellent condition. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: AWTT.   Doorknob weathervane ... The other side, upside down ... Closeup of point ... Closeup of tail. This is a colorful whirligig with two farmers and a barn for the tail. One figure is sawing a log, the other is swinging a sledge hammer. They are geared separately, so the saw goes back and forth with each turn of the blade, but the hammer only goes up and down after several turns. The whirligig is 26" long by 3 3/4" wide, with a blade about 14" in diameter. The figures are about 7" tall. As mounted it stands 19" high. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in good, used, and weathered condition. The paint is weathered with some minor flaking. There are small age cracks and a chip missing from one corner of the barn. All of the blades have a glue line down the middle - this appears to be how they were originally made rather than repairs, because they are all the same. The whirligig lifts off the base easily. The price is $365.00. Inventory Code: CRPS.   Farm whirligig ... The other side ... Third angle ... Fourth view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another back view ... Closeup, man with hammer ... The other side ... Hammer moved ... Closeup, man with saw ... Both figures ... From above ... Another closeup from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. A nice wooden horse weather vane in weathered gray and black paint on both sides. An old spark plug was added to the front of the arrow to make it balance. It is 44 1/2" long by 16" high. The horse is cut from 1/2" plywood; the arrow is solid wood 1 1/2" thick. There is a metal plate with a hole for the pivot underneath. From Indiana, c. 1940's, it is in very good condition with a few very minor chips. The price is $295.00. Inventory Code: ASHS.   Horse weathervane ... The other side ... Closeup of the horse ... Closeup of the horse, other side ... Closeup of the arrow and sparkplug ... Closeup of the arrow, other side ... From above ... From below. This is a very folky metal whirligig made from found objects. It has several layers of really worn and weathered paint, mainly white and red with black and yellow highlights and a fair amount of bare metal showing through. It is mounted on a newer metal display base. It stands 25 3/4" high by 18" long. From the 20th century, it is in good, sturdy, very weathered condition. The action works. The price is $1200.00. Inventory Code: CWWH.   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a primitive whirligig with a man chopping wood and a woman scrubbing laundry. The people are cut from boards, with metal arms and legs. The laundry tub is a metal can, filled with tar or pitch to hold the wooden washboard in place. There is a rusted wire "picket fence" around the base. The whirligig has been mounted on a more recent wooden stand. The overall size is 38" long by 22" high as mounted; the blade is 16" across. From the first half of the 20th century, it is in very good, weathered condition with minor loss to the wire fence. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: CTAH.   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a very folky one-of-a-kind rooster weathervane made from galvanized sheet metal. The rooster was hand cut from two pieces and put together. It then was bolted with supports to part of a ventilator from a silo or barn, which had a shaft with a hole put inside so the entire piece could rotate in the wind. The word "Rock" is painted on one side of the tail in subtle, silver-gray paint. This unusual piece came from the Midwest, likely Iowa, and was probably made in the 1940's or 50's. Being metal, there is some little rust, oxidation, and outside wear, but it is in generally very good condition. The body of the rooster is 23" long by 19" high. As mounted, it is 26 1/2" long by 28 1/4" high by 13 1/2" wide. We still have the ventilator, and it can be easily reassembled if you prefer it mounted that way. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: AKOT.   Metal rooster ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of head ... Closeup of tail, with "Rock" ... Closeup of body ... Closeup of head, other side ... Tail, other side ... Body, other side ... Front and back views ... Closeup from the front ... Closeup of the base ... Mounted on the ventilator ... Front view, on ventilator ... With a soda can for scale. This is a good sized whirligig of a man sawing wood with a stylized tree supporting the blade. It has very folky construction. Likely from the 1940's, the mechanism works. The man's arms move and the saw cuts as the front blade turns. It is an old repaint in dark green, yellow, and a muted orange over dark red. The man has interesting and unusual metal pieces added on the sides for strength. The condition is excellent with one old break on the front of the man's cap. This piece is about 28" long and stands about 34" high on the newer metal base and rod. The blades are 18" across. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CWWT.   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. This is a good looking and colorful whirligig of a uniformed drummer. As the vividly striped blade turns, the drummer's arms alternate up and down, beating the sticks on the drum. The whirligig is made from 1/2" pine, mounted on a metal base. It is 11 1/2" long by 20 1/2" high as mounted. The man is 8 1/2" tall and the blade is 12" across. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in very good, slightly weathered condition. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: CCWP.   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb].   Register to receive updates when we add new items. Your information is confidential. We never release it to others. Privacy policy. Required Fields Email Confirm your email address Your Name General UpdatesWhen we add any antiques or folk art to the site. This will include whirligigs, weather vanes, and windmill weights. Only Whirligigs, Weather Vanes, and Windmill Weights       Get Other Individual Category Updates If there is any problem with registering, please Home Page | Site Guide | Top of page | Inventory | Ordering | Contents | Search What's New | Using the Site | Resources | Featured Sale | Contact Us Comments: Artisans: Matt Lippa or Elizabeth Schaaf (256) 886-2809   (9AM - 5PM Central Time Only please.) Mailing address Copyright © 1995-2024 Artisans. All Rights Reserved.

Conch Republicmenu Madeira Beach

Wardlow's cheeky intention was to declare war on America, fire one shot, surrender, and then ask for $1 billion in aid for rebuilding. His countrymen carried out the plan of attack as only Key Westers would. "Using the Conch Republic's weapon of choice—hard, stale Cuban bread," Shearer writes, a member of Wardlow's war cabinet "hit a cooperative young uniformed naval officer over the head, then immediately handed over the loaf."

There does seem to be something to the notion that Conchs are just different from other folks. In 1962, Americans held their collective breath as the country tottered on the edge of war. News broke that the Soviets had installed nuclear missiles in communist Cuba, putting attack capabilities in the United States' backyard. But despite being on the literal frontlines of that showdown, Shearer reports, "Life in Key West remained curiously, quintessentially laid back. After all, October in the Florida Keys, the height of hurricane season, had always been fraught with a degree of danger."

Conch Republic FloridaKeys

In Key West, even the Prohibition agents often left the islanders well enough alone—and for good reason. One story, recounted in both books, involves a 1926 speakeasy raid by a group of federal "revenooers" down from Miami. For whatever reason, this time the townspeople weren't having it. "Proprietors of the raided properties swore out warrants against the agents," Ogle writes, "charging them with assault and battery, destruction of private property, and larceny."

More recently, in 2006, the fake country "annexed" a stretch of an abandoned overseas bridge after the Coast Guard told a group of Cuban refugees that landing there did not trigger "wet foot, dry foot"—the policy at the time of granting legal status to any Cuban who landed on American soil.

This is a very folky one-of-a-kind rooster weathervane made from galvanized sheet metal. The rooster was hand cut from two pieces and put together. It then was bolted with supports to part of a ventilator from a silo or barn, which had a shaft with a hole put inside so the entire piece could rotate in the wind. The word "Rock" is painted on one side of the tail in subtle, silver-gray paint. This unusual piece came from the Midwest, likely Iowa, and was probably made in the 1940's or 50's. Being metal, there is some little rust, oxidation, and outside wear, but it is in generally very good condition. The body of the rooster is 23" long by 19" high. As mounted, it is 26 1/2" long by 28 1/4" high by 13 1/2" wide. We still have the ventilator, and it can be easily reassembled if you prefer it mounted that way. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: AKOT.   Metal rooster ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of head ... Closeup of tail, with "Rock" ... Closeup of body ... Closeup of head, other side ... Tail, other side ... Body, other side ... Front and back views ... Closeup from the front ... Closeup of the base ... Mounted on the ventilator ... Front view, on ventilator ... With a soda can for scale. This is a good sized whirligig of a man sawing wood with a stylized tree supporting the blade. It has very folky construction. Likely from the 1940's, the mechanism works. The man's arms move and the saw cuts as the front blade turns. It is an old repaint in dark green, yellow, and a muted orange over dark red. The man has interesting and unusual metal pieces added on the sides for strength. The condition is excellent with one old break on the front of the man's cap. This piece is about 28" long and stands about 34" high on the newer metal base and rod. The blades are 18" across. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CWWT.   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. This is a good looking and colorful whirligig of a uniformed drummer. As the vividly striped blade turns, the drummer's arms alternate up and down, beating the sticks on the drum. The whirligig is made from 1/2" pine, mounted on a metal base. It is 11 1/2" long by 20 1/2" high as mounted. The man is 8 1/2" tall and the blade is 12" across. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in very good, slightly weathered condition. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: CCWP.   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb].   Register to receive updates when we add new items. Your information is confidential. We never release it to others. Privacy policy. Required Fields Email Confirm your email address Your Name General UpdatesWhen we add any antiques or folk art to the site. This will include whirligigs, weather vanes, and windmill weights. Only Whirligigs, Weather Vanes, and Windmill Weights       Get Other Individual Category Updates If there is any problem with registering, please Home Page | Site Guide | Top of page | Inventory | Ordering | Contents | Search What's New | Using the Site | Resources | Featured Sale | Contact Us Comments: Artisans: Matt Lippa or Elizabeth Schaaf (256) 886-2809   (9AM - 5PM Central Time Only please.) Mailing address Copyright © 1995-2024 Artisans. All Rights Reserved.

But even Hemingway's largesse wasn't enough for the struggling town. In 1934, Julius Stone Jr., head of the Florida division at the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, arrived with an ambitious plan: to "turn Key West into a first-class tourist destination" by rehabilitating the historic downtown with a combination of federal dollars and local volunteer labor. Hoping to cultivate the arts scene, Stone also tasked a cadre of writers, painters, thespians, and musicians employed by the Works Progress Administration and the Federal Writers' Project with beautifying the island.

On shore, commission agents waited to receive the cargo and arranged to have it auctioned off—for a cut of the reward, of course.

The onset of the Great Depression a few years later hit the island city hard. It's an exaggeration to say Ernest Hemingway's personal expenditures single-handedly kept the economy going, but only just. The celebrity writer ate and drank at the city's taverns; took out-of-town friends on deep-sea fishing expeditions; bought and renovated his now-famous residence on Whitehead Street; and lured in other literary types with disposable income, including the poet Robert Frost, the philosopher John Dewey, and the playwright Tennessee Williams.

Conch RepublicKey West

This is a colorful whirligig with two farmers and a barn for the tail. One figure is sawing a log, the other is swinging a sledge hammer. They are geared separately, so the saw goes back and forth with each turn of the blade, but the hammer only goes up and down after several turns. The whirligig is 26" long by 3 3/4" wide, with a blade about 14" in diameter. The figures are about 7" tall. As mounted it stands 19" high. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in good, used, and weathered condition. The paint is weathered with some minor flaking. There are small age cracks and a chip missing from one corner of the barn. All of the blades have a glue line down the middle - this appears to be how they were originally made rather than repairs, because they are all the same. The whirligig lifts off the base easily. The price is $365.00. Inventory Code: CRPS.   Farm whirligig ... The other side ... Third angle ... Fourth view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another back view ... Closeup, man with hammer ... The other side ... Hammer moved ... Closeup, man with saw ... Both figures ... From above ... Another closeup from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. A nice wooden horse weather vane in weathered gray and black paint on both sides. An old spark plug was added to the front of the arrow to make it balance. It is 44 1/2" long by 16" high. The horse is cut from 1/2" plywood; the arrow is solid wood 1 1/2" thick. There is a metal plate with a hole for the pivot underneath. From Indiana, c. 1940's, it is in very good condition with a few very minor chips. The price is $295.00. Inventory Code: ASHS.   Horse weathervane ... The other side ... Closeup of the horse ... Closeup of the horse, other side ... Closeup of the arrow and sparkplug ... Closeup of the arrow, other side ... From above ... From below. This is a very folky metal whirligig made from found objects. It has several layers of really worn and weathered paint, mainly white and red with black and yellow highlights and a fair amount of bare metal showing through. It is mounted on a newer metal display base. It stands 25 3/4" high by 18" long. From the 20th century, it is in good, sturdy, very weathered condition. The action works. The price is $1200.00. Inventory Code: CWWH.   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a primitive whirligig with a man chopping wood and a woman scrubbing laundry. The people are cut from boards, with metal arms and legs. The laundry tub is a metal can, filled with tar or pitch to hold the wooden washboard in place. There is a rusted wire "picket fence" around the base. The whirligig has been mounted on a more recent wooden stand. The overall size is 38" long by 22" high as mounted; the blade is 16" across. From the first half of the 20th century, it is in very good, weathered condition with minor loss to the wire fence. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: CTAH.   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a very folky one-of-a-kind rooster weathervane made from galvanized sheet metal. The rooster was hand cut from two pieces and put together. It then was bolted with supports to part of a ventilator from a silo or barn, which had a shaft with a hole put inside so the entire piece could rotate in the wind. The word "Rock" is painted on one side of the tail in subtle, silver-gray paint. This unusual piece came from the Midwest, likely Iowa, and was probably made in the 1940's or 50's. Being metal, there is some little rust, oxidation, and outside wear, but it is in generally very good condition. The body of the rooster is 23" long by 19" high. As mounted, it is 26 1/2" long by 28 1/4" high by 13 1/2" wide. We still have the ventilator, and it can be easily reassembled if you prefer it mounted that way. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: AKOT.   Metal rooster ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of head ... Closeup of tail, with "Rock" ... Closeup of body ... Closeup of head, other side ... Tail, other side ... Body, other side ... Front and back views ... Closeup from the front ... Closeup of the base ... Mounted on the ventilator ... Front view, on ventilator ... With a soda can for scale. This is a good sized whirligig of a man sawing wood with a stylized tree supporting the blade. It has very folky construction. Likely from the 1940's, the mechanism works. The man's arms move and the saw cuts as the front blade turns. It is an old repaint in dark green, yellow, and a muted orange over dark red. The man has interesting and unusual metal pieces added on the sides for strength. The condition is excellent with one old break on the front of the man's cap. This piece is about 28" long and stands about 34" high on the newer metal base and rod. The blades are 18" across. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CWWT.   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. This is a good looking and colorful whirligig of a uniformed drummer. As the vividly striped blade turns, the drummer's arms alternate up and down, beating the sticks on the drum. The whirligig is made from 1/2" pine, mounted on a metal base. It is 11 1/2" long by 20 1/2" high as mounted. The man is 8 1/2" tall and the blade is 12" across. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in very good, slightly weathered condition. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: CCWP.   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb].   Register to receive updates when we add new items. Your information is confidential. We never release it to others. Privacy policy. Required Fields Email Confirm your email address Your Name General UpdatesWhen we add any antiques or folk art to the site. This will include whirligigs, weather vanes, and windmill weights. Only Whirligigs, Weather Vanes, and Windmill Weights       Get Other Individual Category Updates If there is any problem with registering, please Home Page | Site Guide | Top of page | Inventory | Ordering | Contents | Search What's New | Using the Site | Resources | Featured Sale | Contact Us Comments: Artisans: Matt Lippa or Elizabeth Schaaf (256) 886-2809   (9AM - 5PM Central Time Only please.) Mailing address Copyright © 1995-2024 Artisans. All Rights Reserved.

This is a good looking and colorful whirligig of a uniformed drummer. As the vividly striped blade turns, the drummer's arms alternate up and down, beating the sticks on the drum. The whirligig is made from 1/2" pine, mounted on a metal base. It is 11 1/2" long by 20 1/2" high as mounted. The man is 8 1/2" tall and the blade is 12" across. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in very good, slightly weathered condition. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: CCWP.   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb].   Register to receive updates when we add new items. Your information is confidential. We never release it to others. Privacy policy. Required Fields Email Confirm your email address Your Name General UpdatesWhen we add any antiques or folk art to the site. This will include whirligigs, weather vanes, and windmill weights. Only Whirligigs, Weather Vanes, and Windmill Weights       Get Other Individual Category Updates If there is any problem with registering, please Home Page | Site Guide | Top of page | Inventory | Ordering | Contents | Search What's New | Using the Site | Resources | Featured Sale | Contact Us Comments: Artisans: Matt Lippa or Elizabeth Schaaf (256) 886-2809   (9AM - 5PM Central Time Only please.) Mailing address Copyright © 1995-2024 Artisans. All Rights Reserved.

In the 1970s, the Keys emerged as a way station in the international drug trade. The same personal and geographic characteristics that had allowed Key West denizens to flourish during Prohibition (including a high tolerance for risk and hundreds of miles of marshy coastline) made it tough for federal law enforcement officials to keep up with traffickers half a century later—especially when local law enforcement officials were sometimes in on the game.

The justice of the peace for the Keys, Rogelio Gomez, "sided with the locals and granted the warrants," Shearer explains, making him "the only county magistrate in the United States ever to issue an arrest warrant against a Prohibition agent." The Miami agents, apparently seeing the writing on the wall, snuck out through the back door of the courthouse and escaped aboard a Navy ship. "The mess was finally cleaned up when the two sides—locals and feds—reached a compromise and dropped both cases," Shearer writes.

Conch Republicmenu

This is a woodchopper whirligig found in a barn in New Hampshire. The man, tree, and axe are made from pine, with plywood arms. The paint has good color with a bit of wear and has one or two small flakes present. This man stands 9 3/4" when upright, and the tree is 2 7/8" high. The pine blade is painted with horizontal stripes. The front of the woodcutter's cap is missing, and the front of his right foot was replaced some time ago. Otherwise the condition is very good. It was likely made in the 1960's or 70's, mounted on a newer base. The length is about 15 1/2" while the blades are about 14" across. It is 20 1/2" high when the man stands up. The price is $225.00. Inventory Code: TRPT.   Woodcutter whirligig ... The other side ... Axe raised ... Closeup of the wood cutter ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup from front ... Front view ... Closeup of the blade ... Back view ... From above ... With a soda can for scale. This is a whirligig of John Henry working on the railroad. It was made by Ed Smith of Conover, NC. The carved, jointed figure goes up and down, hammering on the track as the blades turn. There is a plastic model box car on the track, and the blades are Conover license plates from 1978. The tail is a somewhat battered piece of sheet metal painted white on one side. The whirligig is 45" long by 27" across the blades. The man is 10 1/4" tall. As mounted on the wooden display base, it is about 28" high to the top of his head, or 33" to the top of the blade. It was made c. 1985, and is in very good, weathered condition. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CAKH.   John Henry whirligig ... With blades turned ... Closeup of the figure ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Another closeup of the man ... Closeup, one side ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup from behind ... Closeup of blades ... Closeup of the boxcar ... Closeup of the tail ... Other side of the tail ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   John Henry whirligig ... With blades turned ... Closeup of the figure ... The other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Another closeup of the man ... Closeup, one side ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup from behind ... Closeup of blades ... Closeup of the boxcar ... Other side of the tail ... With a yardstick and soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a very strong pair of carvings. The man and woman have jointed arms and are each holding knives. They have incised details, small nails for eyes, and are weathered from outdoor use. These may have been made as whirligigs, however, though the arms can be moved, they do not now spin freely. "Maria" is written on the base of the woman. The man has an inscription on his belt: "Och Jubla Som Barnen Jubla", which Google translates as Swedish for "and rejoice as the children rejoice". The figures were found in Missouri and are from the first half of the 20th century. They are in good, weathered condition with minor surface wear as seen in the photos. The woman has chips missing from the back of her head and her left shoulder. With the arms positioned as they show in the photos, the man is 14 1/2" high by 5 3/4" wide by 10" deep. The woman is 12 1/4" high by 5 1/2" wide by 8 1/2" deep. The price for the pair is $1750.00. Inventory Code: COHT.   Folk art carvings ... Front view ... Closeup of the woman ... Closeup of the man ... Another overall angle ... Fourth view of both ... Side view ... The other side ... Back view ... Another closeup of the woman ... Closeup, from the back ... Closeup from the side ... The woman, from above ... Her feet from above ... Another closeup of the man ... Third closeup of the man ... Closeup from the back ... Closeup of the belt ... Another closeup of the belt ... Closeup of the feet ... The man, from above ... Both, from below ... With a soda can for scale. This whimsical metal weather vane arrow was hand made on a doorknob base. It is 24" long by 5" high, the point is 2" wide. It was most likely made in the 1940's or 50's. It has weathered green paint over remnants of red, and is in excellent condition. The price is $175.00. Inventory Code: AWTT.   Doorknob weathervane ... The other side, upside down ... Closeup of point ... Closeup of tail. This is a colorful whirligig with two farmers and a barn for the tail. One figure is sawing a log, the other is swinging a sledge hammer. They are geared separately, so the saw goes back and forth with each turn of the blade, but the hammer only goes up and down after several turns. The whirligig is 26" long by 3 3/4" wide, with a blade about 14" in diameter. The figures are about 7" tall. As mounted it stands 19" high. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in good, used, and weathered condition. The paint is weathered with some minor flaking. There are small age cracks and a chip missing from one corner of the barn. All of the blades have a glue line down the middle - this appears to be how they were originally made rather than repairs, because they are all the same. The whirligig lifts off the base easily. The price is $365.00. Inventory Code: CRPS.   Farm whirligig ... The other side ... Third angle ... Fourth view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another back view ... Closeup, man with hammer ... The other side ... Hammer moved ... Closeup, man with saw ... Both figures ... From above ... Another closeup from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. A nice wooden horse weather vane in weathered gray and black paint on both sides. An old spark plug was added to the front of the arrow to make it balance. It is 44 1/2" long by 16" high. The horse is cut from 1/2" plywood; the arrow is solid wood 1 1/2" thick. There is a metal plate with a hole for the pivot underneath. From Indiana, c. 1940's, it is in very good condition with a few very minor chips. The price is $295.00. Inventory Code: ASHS.   Horse weathervane ... The other side ... Closeup of the horse ... Closeup of the horse, other side ... Closeup of the arrow and sparkplug ... Closeup of the arrow, other side ... From above ... From below. This is a very folky metal whirligig made from found objects. It has several layers of really worn and weathered paint, mainly white and red with black and yellow highlights and a fair amount of bare metal showing through. It is mounted on a newer metal display base. It stands 25 3/4" high by 18" long. From the 20th century, it is in good, sturdy, very weathered condition. The action works. The price is $1200.00. Inventory Code: CWWH.   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a primitive whirligig with a man chopping wood and a woman scrubbing laundry. The people are cut from boards, with metal arms and legs. The laundry tub is a metal can, filled with tar or pitch to hold the wooden washboard in place. There is a rusted wire "picket fence" around the base. The whirligig has been mounted on a more recent wooden stand. The overall size is 38" long by 22" high as mounted; the blade is 16" across. From the first half of the 20th century, it is in very good, weathered condition with minor loss to the wire fence. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: CTAH.   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a very folky one-of-a-kind rooster weathervane made from galvanized sheet metal. The rooster was hand cut from two pieces and put together. It then was bolted with supports to part of a ventilator from a silo or barn, which had a shaft with a hole put inside so the entire piece could rotate in the wind. The word "Rock" is painted on one side of the tail in subtle, silver-gray paint. This unusual piece came from the Midwest, likely Iowa, and was probably made in the 1940's or 50's. Being metal, there is some little rust, oxidation, and outside wear, but it is in generally very good condition. The body of the rooster is 23" long by 19" high. As mounted, it is 26 1/2" long by 28 1/4" high by 13 1/2" wide. We still have the ventilator, and it can be easily reassembled if you prefer it mounted that way. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: AKOT.   Metal rooster ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of head ... Closeup of tail, with "Rock" ... Closeup of body ... Closeup of head, other side ... Tail, other side ... Body, other side ... Front and back views ... Closeup from the front ... Closeup of the base ... Mounted on the ventilator ... Front view, on ventilator ... With a soda can for scale. This is a good sized whirligig of a man sawing wood with a stylized tree supporting the blade. It has very folky construction. Likely from the 1940's, the mechanism works. The man's arms move and the saw cuts as the front blade turns. It is an old repaint in dark green, yellow, and a muted orange over dark red. The man has interesting and unusual metal pieces added on the sides for strength. The condition is excellent with one old break on the front of the man's cap. This piece is about 28" long and stands about 34" high on the newer metal base and rod. The blades are 18" across. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CWWT.   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. This is a good looking and colorful whirligig of a uniformed drummer. As the vividly striped blade turns, the drummer's arms alternate up and down, beating the sticks on the drum. The whirligig is made from 1/2" pine, mounted on a metal base. It is 11 1/2" long by 20 1/2" high as mounted. The man is 8 1/2" tall and the blade is 12" across. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in very good, slightly weathered condition. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: CCWP.   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb].   Register to receive updates when we add new items. Your information is confidential. We never release it to others. Privacy policy. Required Fields Email Confirm your email address Your Name General UpdatesWhen we add any antiques or folk art to the site. This will include whirligigs, weather vanes, and windmill weights. Only Whirligigs, Weather Vanes, and Windmill Weights       Get Other Individual Category Updates If there is any problem with registering, please Home Page | Site Guide | Top of page | Inventory | Ordering | Contents | Search What's New | Using the Site | Resources | Featured Sale | Contact Us Comments: Artisans: Matt Lippa or Elizabeth Schaaf (256) 886-2809   (9AM - 5PM Central Time Only please.) Mailing address Copyright © 1995-2024 Artisans. All Rights Reserved.

This is a good sized whirligig of a man sawing wood with a stylized tree supporting the blade. It has very folky construction. Likely from the 1940's, the mechanism works. The man's arms move and the saw cuts as the front blade turns. It is an old repaint in dark green, yellow, and a muted orange over dark red. The man has interesting and unusual metal pieces added on the sides for strength. The condition is excellent with one old break on the front of the man's cap. This piece is about 28" long and stands about 34" high on the newer metal base and rod. The blades are 18" across. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CWWT.   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. This is a good looking and colorful whirligig of a uniformed drummer. As the vividly striped blade turns, the drummer's arms alternate up and down, beating the sticks on the drum. The whirligig is made from 1/2" pine, mounted on a metal base. It is 11 1/2" long by 20 1/2" high as mounted. The man is 8 1/2" tall and the blade is 12" across. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in very good, slightly weathered condition. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: CCWP.   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb].   Register to receive updates when we add new items. Your information is confidential. We never release it to others. Privacy policy. Required Fields Email Confirm your email address Your Name General UpdatesWhen we add any antiques or folk art to the site. This will include whirligigs, weather vanes, and windmill weights. Only Whirligigs, Weather Vanes, and Windmill Weights       Get Other Individual Category Updates If there is any problem with registering, please Home Page | Site Guide | Top of page | Inventory | Ordering | Contents | Search What's New | Using the Site | Resources | Featured Sale | Contact Us Comments: Artisans: Matt Lippa or Elizabeth Schaaf (256) 886-2809   (9AM - 5PM Central Time Only please.) Mailing address Copyright © 1995-2024 Artisans. All Rights Reserved.

During the 19th century, "a decidedly cosmopolitan city slowly emerged from the mangrove thickets," Ogle writes. "Because Key West sat at the crossroads of the Caribbean, everyone crossed paths with throngs of what one islander called 'world wanderers,'" from Bahamians to Irishmen to "Hindoos" to Swedes.

Mayor Dennis Wardlow and the island's Chamber of Commerce initially tried the legal route: They flew to Miami and filed for an injunction in federal court. It was to no avail. So the outraged Key Westers opted for a more dramatic response.

Register to receive updates when we add new items. Your information is confidential. We never release it to others. Privacy policy. Required Fields Email Confirm your email address Your Name General UpdatesWhen we add any antiques or folk art to the site. This will include whirligigs, weather vanes, and windmill weights. Only Whirligigs, Weather Vanes, and Windmill Weights       Get Other Individual Category Updates If there is any problem with registering, please Home Page | Site Guide | Top of page | Inventory | Ordering | Contents | Search What's New | Using the Site | Resources | Featured Sale | Contact Us Comments: Artisans: Matt Lippa or Elizabeth Schaaf (256) 886-2809   (9AM - 5PM Central Time Only please.) Mailing address Copyright © 1995-2024 Artisans. All Rights Reserved.

The rebellion was part publicity stunt, part genuine protest. ("We're happy to secede today with some humor," Wardlow said. "But there's some anger, too.") It was effective on both counts: The roadblock was speedily removed, and the gag became a tourism bonanza.

This is a very folky metal whirligig made from found objects. It has several layers of really worn and weathered paint, mainly white and red with black and yellow highlights and a fair amount of bare metal showing through. It is mounted on a newer metal display base. It stands 25 3/4" high by 18" long. From the 20th century, it is in good, sturdy, very weathered condition. The action works. The price is $1200.00. Inventory Code: CWWH.   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Metal whirligig ... The other side ... End views ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a primitive whirligig with a man chopping wood and a woman scrubbing laundry. The people are cut from boards, with metal arms and legs. The laundry tub is a metal can, filled with tar or pitch to hold the wooden washboard in place. There is a rusted wire "picket fence" around the base. The whirligig has been mounted on a more recent wooden stand. The overall size is 38" long by 22" high as mounted; the blade is 16" across. From the first half of the 20th century, it is in very good, weathered condition with minor loss to the wire fence. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: CTAH.   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. Some much larger photos:   Whirligig of man chopping, woman washing ... With the figures moved ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup of woman ... Woman, other side ... Closeup of man ... Man, other side ... Front view ... Back view ... Closeup from above ... Another view from above ... With a soda can for scale ... Video of the action. This is a very folky one-of-a-kind rooster weathervane made from galvanized sheet metal. The rooster was hand cut from two pieces and put together. It then was bolted with supports to part of a ventilator from a silo or barn, which had a shaft with a hole put inside so the entire piece could rotate in the wind. The word "Rock" is painted on one side of the tail in subtle, silver-gray paint. This unusual piece came from the Midwest, likely Iowa, and was probably made in the 1940's or 50's. Being metal, there is some little rust, oxidation, and outside wear, but it is in generally very good condition. The body of the rooster is 23" long by 19" high. As mounted, it is 26 1/2" long by 28 1/4" high by 13 1/2" wide. We still have the ventilator, and it can be easily reassembled if you prefer it mounted that way. The price is $475.00. Inventory Code: AKOT.   Metal rooster ... The other side ... Another angle ... Closeup ... Closeup, other side ... Closeup of head ... Closeup of tail, with "Rock" ... Closeup of body ... Closeup of head, other side ... Tail, other side ... Body, other side ... Front and back views ... Closeup from the front ... Closeup of the base ... Mounted on the ventilator ... Front view, on ventilator ... With a soda can for scale. This is a good sized whirligig of a man sawing wood with a stylized tree supporting the blade. It has very folky construction. Likely from the 1940's, the mechanism works. The man's arms move and the saw cuts as the front blade turns. It is an old repaint in dark green, yellow, and a muted orange over dark red. The man has interesting and unusual metal pieces added on the sides for strength. The condition is excellent with one old break on the front of the man's cap. This piece is about 28" long and stands about 34" high on the newer metal base and rod. The blades are 18" across. The price is $425.00. Inventory Code: CWWT.   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Folky whirligig ... The other side ... The figure moved ... With the base ... Another view ... Front view ... Back view ... Another view from back ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [4 Mb]. This is a good looking and colorful whirligig of a uniformed drummer. As the vividly striped blade turns, the drummer's arms alternate up and down, beating the sticks on the drum. The whirligig is made from 1/2" pine, mounted on a metal base. It is 11 1/2" long by 20 1/2" high as mounted. The man is 8 1/2" tall and the blade is 12" across. From the second half of the 20th c., it is in very good, slightly weathered condition. The price is $325.00. Inventory Code: CCWP.   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb]. Some much larger photos:   Drummer whirligig ... The other side ... Arms moved ... With the base ... Another angle ... Front view ... The blade ... From above ... With a soda can for scale ... Animation of the motion [1.2 Mb].   Register to receive updates when we add new items. Your information is confidential. We never release it to others. Privacy policy. Required Fields Email Confirm your email address Your Name General UpdatesWhen we add any antiques or folk art to the site. This will include whirligigs, weather vanes, and windmill weights. Only Whirligigs, Weather Vanes, and Windmill Weights       Get Other Individual Category Updates If there is any problem with registering, please Home Page | Site Guide | Top of page | Inventory | Ordering | Contents | Search What's New | Using the Site | Resources | Featured Sale | Contact Us Comments: Artisans: Matt Lippa or Elizabeth Schaaf (256) 886-2809   (9AM - 5PM Central Time Only please.) Mailing address Copyright © 1995-2024 Artisans. All Rights Reserved.

Sensing the potential in that location, Whitehead and a business partner, John Simonton, tracked down the island's owner, a Spanish citizen named Juan Pablo Salas, and made him a $2,000 offer. "Salas accepted, no doubt believing he'd gotten the better part of the deal," writes Maureen Ogle in Key West: History of an Island of Dreams.

By 1982, the feds had come up with a new tactic for catching drug runners and illegal immigrants entering the country through the Keys. Their move sparked an uprising that, in a sense, continues to this day.

The construction of public lighthouses (and the introduction of steam-powered ships, less likely to be blown aground) eventually put the wreckers out of business. Sea-sponge harvesting, cigar manufacturing, and tourism took over as engines of the local economy. The second of those was a product of government intervention: In the 1850s, Congress imposed stiff tariffs on Cuban cigars but failed to apply the duty to raw tobacco leaf. Predictably, entrepreneurs took to making bulk ingredient purchases in Havana and then set up factories in Key West, a mere 90 miles away. The workers were largely imported from Cuba as well.

The tourism industry felt an immediate impact in the form of canceled reservations. Proprietors didn't take that lightly.

Peter Anderson, who held the title of Conch Republic ​​secretary general, "led a landing party of Conchs who staked miniature flags along the bridge," wrote Darien Cavanaugh in a 2015 article for the War Is Boring website. "Since the federal government decided in its infinite wisdom that the old Seven Mile Bridge is not territory of the United States, the Conch Republic is very interested," Anderson told reporters; Washington "chose not to defend" the bridge against the invasion.

The situation intensified with the passage of the 18th Amendment, which banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol. Suddenly, rumrunning became the biggest business of all. "Liquor washed over Key West during Prohibition like high tide under a full moon," Shearer writes. "Given its proximity to Cuba and the Bahamas, both of which were swimming in booze, the Florida Keys became a wide-open distribution point….Locals considered smuggling liquor a public service."