Cleaning out the basement, I came across this huge witches cauldron which is a Blow Mold Decoration. Blow molding is simply a manufacturing process forming a hollow plastic or glass shape.
I thought this cauldron would make a great addition to a park’s Halloween decorations. So, I’m donating it to this worthy cause, however, not before blogging about it. After all, what is a great Halloween story without a witches cauldron?
Years ago, I used this cauldron to hold my “dragon eggs” or water balloons for a child’s Halloween party. I, also, used it as part of a tossing game.
However, now I find I’m not hosting any children’s Halloween parties that were once a big part of my fall season.
Witches Cauldron Description
I curiously note the cauldron is made in the United States by Union Products Inc. which is a plastic company. The black plastic cauldron measures about 12-inches high and 16-inches across. Also, on the bottom is the CAT. 5116 number which probably represents a catalogue number.
History of Union Products Inc. & Blow Mold Decorations
Union Products Inc., (from 1946 to 2006 but re-established in 2012), was an American Company out of Leominster, Mass. This company produced blow mold products and at one time marketed over 1,000 different items. Christmas, Easter and Halloween marked big holiday sales for this company.
After WWII, Union Products produced popular plastic watering cans and lawn decorations.
Iconic Pink Plastic Flamingoes
Then the company hired Don Featherstone and history was made. Mr. Featherstone studied at the Worcester Art Museum (school). Union Products asked him to produce a flamingo mold.
Don used pictures out of a National Geographic Magazine to research and create the molds. However, he didn’t know the bird’s true life-size dimensions. Because of this, Featherstone’s mini flamingoes went on to become the iconic plastic pink flamingos popular in the 1950’s and beyond.
The plastic pink flamingoes were first printed in a 1957 Sears ad and sold for $2.76 a pair. They had rod-like legs to push into the ground. From then on, everyone wanted two flamingoes on their front lawns. The popularity of the exotic pink birds really took off from there.
In 1996, Don Featherstone received the IG Nobel art prize for his plastic flamingo design.
End of Flamingoes?
Around the year 2000, Union Product sales were at an all time low. Then, air blown inflatables were introduced to the market and were all the rage. It was also becoming increasing more expensive for Union Products to produce their plastic products. With these new factors in play, Union Products Inc. closed down in 2006.
However, this was not the end of things because in 2012, Cado Products purchased Union Product’s assets including the rights to those molds. Cado then began to reproduce the famous pink flamingoes. They are apparently sold in Ace Hardware Stores and other places. A pair now is priced closer to $20 to $30.
Ending Notes on the Blow Mold Decoration and the Witches Cauldron
Looks like we got a little off track on this blog, but we’ll end with a few more words on the witches cauldron.
Not only is the cauldron great to hold “dragon eggs” but it will hold a massive amount of Halloween candy.
Trick or Treat!
Sorry No Pink Flamingoes photographs on today’s blog, only a Halloween Witches Cauldron.
Research Sites: Wikipedia-Ace Hardware, NYtimes, Don Featherman, blowmoldfandom.com, and cadocompany.com