November 22, 2002
Greetings Accumulators!
It's a soggy day in New York Town. And a foggy day too. In fact, here in my high-rise office, I can't see the ground at all, and the Triboro Bridge has completely disappeared.
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LOOK OUT, MICHAEL EISNER, THERE GOES YOUR PLATINUM PARACHUTE
Austria is laying claim to the original Mickey Mouse, after the discovery of a medieval
fresco featuring the famous rodent. Located in the town of Malta, the 700 year old painting contains a character that looks almost exactly like Disney's Mickey. The Austrian government's suit to claim the copyright is said to be tongue-in-cheek. Malta mayor Hans Peter Schaar said villagers did not want to be greedy and were prepared to consider an out-of-court settlement.
He said: "We wouldn't want much, perhaps they would build something here as a tribute to Mickey that would encourage the tourists, nothing too big and tasteless of course, and with an
Alpine theme. The Austrian Mickey Mouse is depicted kneeling at the feet of St. Christopher, who is frequently depicted surrounded by animals. No comment from Disney. Harrumph! What's next - the Latvian Donald Duck?
COLLECTIONS THAT ARE TOXIC TO RELATIONSHIPS DEPARTMENT
Those delightfully eccentric folks of Hereford, England are at it again. The Daily Express reports that Jan James has told her husband Frank that she's had it with all the company in the house, and she wants to be alone for a change. She wants Frank to get rid of his collection of 39 mannequins. "They've taken over the house and there's only one room where I can move comfortably without them getting in the way", she said. "That's my little sitting room, but there are even two in there." She also points out that they scare the bejesus out of the grandchildren. Frank says he does like having the dummies around. "They are amusing to look at and you can dress them up if it takes your fancy. They never get older than 25 or answer back," he added. Watch it, Frank. You can be replaced by a half gallon of ice cream and whatever's on HBO.
BARBIE WITH A NEW TWIST - AND SHAKE
If any of you have not yet been treated to the vision of a performance by the singer Shakira, turn on VH-1 tonight. That girl has the most mobile butt you've ever seen. Hey - you got fries to go with that shake? Well, the Mattel Company, never one to get caught sitting around on its laurels when there's money to be made, has signed a contract to produce a Shakira doll. No word on whether the doll will be able to do that thang. Shakira is currently performing on The Mongoose Tour - I'm not making this up - which will take her through some 30 countries.
Off we go. He Who Is The Light Of My Life and I are joining our good friends the Trugmans at a restaurant for dinner. We do this every November in celebration of our wedding anniversaries. HWITLOML and I are celebrating our 18th. We've discussed it, and we think the reason our marriage has lasted is that we can still make each other laugh. Sometimes not on purpose, though. Tomorrow, off to the country house. There's much to be done. You have a good one, Accumulators, and we'll see you back here next week. Don't eat too much on Thanksgiving, and remember to have your last alcoholic drink at least an hour before leaving the party. Better yet, designate a driver so you can go wild. And watch out for that other guy on the road - maybe no one loved him enough to take away his keys. May you have a blessed, happy, warm, peaceful Thanksgiving, American Accumulators. All you others, we'll be thinking of you too this year, with fervent hopes for peace for all of us. Happy hunting!
Best,
Judith
© 2002 Judith Katz-Schwartz. All rights reserved.
Antiques and Collectibles Newsletter #199
U.S. Library of Congress
ISSN 1520-4464
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