The poetry of Don Blanding / Vagabond's House - General Tiki

MAM mike and marie Tiki Socialite Sunken Studios \| The Current Year Joined: Jun 24, 2008 Posts: 442	MAM mike and marie Posted posted on Sun, Oct 7, 2012 12:54 PM But I find my theory that Don The Beachcomber named himself after Don Blanding much more interesting and worthy of discussion here. Anybody care to comment? We've thought about Blanding's influence in the birth of tiki for a while and were glad to read this thread. Sven, we find your theories compelling -- both of them. There may be more images in addition to the driftwood "Don Blanding" sign that seem to have had a direct influence on Beach, and direct beachcomber imagery -- see 1930's Hula Moons, ferinstance. In our research we've found at least one occasion of direct collaboration between Blanding and Beach ... or at least members of each other's camp (no pun intended!). In 1935, Bob Miller and perfumer Robert Felton formed The Hula-Lei Company and began manufacturing the first Hawaiian fragrances, bottled in carved wood containers and in tropical packaging that are what might be the first collectible tiki mementos. Although to the best of our knowledge Blanding was only hired to come up with the names of the fragrances, some of the imagery seems to bear his trademark: And the packaging, which is very classic tiki, and the tiki carvings, were designed and executed by Edward Malcolm Brownlee, also known as "Mickie" ... the master tiki carver who designed and decorated the original Don the Beachcomber restaurants! And speaking of Blanding influence in tiki, was anybody else struck by the similarities between logos of Vagabond's House and another (later) tiki legend?

But I find my theory that Don The Beachcomber named himself after Don Blanding much more interesting and worthy of discussion here. Anybody care to comment?

We've thought about Blanding's influence in the birth of tiki for a while and were glad to read this thread. Sven, we find your theories compelling -- both of them.

There may be more images in addition to the driftwood "Don Blanding" sign that seem to have had a direct influence on Beach, and direct beachcomber imagery -- see 1930's Hula Moons, ferinstance.

In our research we've found at least one occasion of direct collaboration between Blanding and Beach ... or at least members of each other's camp (no pun intended!). In 1935, Bob Miller and perfumer Robert Felton formed The Hula-Lei Company and began manufacturing the first Hawaiian fragrances, bottled in carved wood containers and in tropical packaging that are what might be the first collectible tiki mementos.

Although to the best of our knowledge Blanding was only hired to come up with the names of the fragrances, some of the imagery seems to bear his trademark:

And the packaging, which is very classic tiki, and the tiki carvings, were designed and executed by Edward Malcolm Brownlee, also known as "Mickie" ... the master tiki carver who designed and decorated the original Don the Beachcomber restaurants!

And speaking of Blanding influence in tiki, was anybody else struck by the similarities between logos of Vagabond's House and another (later) tiki legend?

Post #654729 by mike and marie on Sun, Oct 7, 2012 12:54 PM