Monday, February 27, 2012

The big reveal

"The next big ticket item I want to pick up for the dining room: a Curtis Jeré "Birds in Flight" sculpture. Yeah, probably not gonna happen..."
-Me


After that comment, it looks like I'm gonna have to eat a little crow (or, in this case, seagull).


Who would have thought that 4 short days after Mr. Modtomic and I missed out on a Curtis Jeré "Birds in Flight" that another would pop up on Craigslist. I mean these things don't just grow on trees, after all.


Yet here I sit, basking in it's avian glory.



I was thinking of having a lazy Sunday, but luckily I woke up early and browsed Craigslist.  The second I saw this listing, I jumped out of bed, called up with an offer, and ran to the car.  It's a good thing there weren't any traffic cops on my route, because I may or may not have been slightly exceeding the posted limit in order to get there before some other sharp-eyed buyer snapped it up.




This thing is covered in a thick layer of cobwebs and dirt, as it was stored in a barn of all places.  However, you can make out the signature and it's still absolutely stunning to look at and much larger than I'd imagined.




It's also missing one of its hanging mounts, so here is where I need your input.


Should I just get some mounting wire and tie it between one of the "tails" and the hook and call it a day, or should I take it to a welder and have them fabricate and carefully attach a matching bronze mount?  I don't want to mess this thing up, but a hanging wire would seriously detract from the looks, don't you think?


I might also give it a coat of matte black Plastidip, an aerosolized rubber that works like paint but easily peels off whenever you want it removed.


Yea? Nay?


Either way, I'm super stoked about this piece.  It's been on my dream list since I began collecting and I still can't quite believe that it's sitting in my living room.  Somebody pinch me!

20 comments:

  1. "because I may or may not have been slightly exceeding the posted limit in order to get there " Hahaha Story of my life! I can tell you, (my dad being a welder, and having done stuff like this for clients) It gets exspensive fast, but a good resto would improve the value. Maybe just some hanging wire for now, and a bracket later on a "rainy day"? Either way what a great score!

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    1. Hah! The drive over to pick up a CL item is the worst. There's always that anxiety that somebody else is going to beat you to it or make a competing offer on the way. A speeding ticket can turn a great deal into a loss though.

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  2. Ah! looks divine!! and i must say despite the missing piece it was worth the rush :)

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    1. I love it! It was definitely worth losing a little sleep over.

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  3. Oh wow, how awesome. I love when things just come together. Congrats on the find. I would probably take it to a welder and have them add a hanging mount. Couldn't imagine it would be more than $50 bucks.

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    1. I think I will. Hopefully it'll come out cheap, but I'm no welding expert.

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  4. I'm so excited for you! You've been saying for ages that you wanted one of those. I think I'd take it to have a mounting bracket put on.

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    1. Thanks Dana! Didn't you have one in black a while back?

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  5. Thank God it wasn't those lamps. ;-)

    Congrats, brother on two fronts: congrats on the sculpture and congrats on getting there before Mr. Modtomic. Bet that doesn't happen very often does it?

    Love yer birds.

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    1. Ah, it's mostly just dumb luck on CL. If Mr. Mod got it, at least it'd have gone to a good guy and a friend. He's a pretty cool dude and I know that he's had his heart set on one of these for a while. With the way that they've been coming up, hopefully he'll come across one soon enough.

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  6. Definetely have it welded back! I'm sure it won't set you back that much and it would be so worth it! I've been looking into buying a MIG welder as I've talked to quite a few welders latety that dissuaded me from takng classes and said just go buy the equipment and teach yourself. Great find...love C.Jere stuff...

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    1. It's really difficult to find welding classes here. I'm not sure why, but it seems that the only places that do them anymore are the community colleges. I'd love to learn and probably should for work.

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  7. I guess I'll look into getting it welded. That seems to be the consensus here. Might see if I can just buy some brass welding stick and have them bend/attach it for me.

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  8. I....Can't....Believe....I.....Slept....In.... Early bird gets the worm! Wait...maybe it's early bird gets the...birds? Nice score. Color me jealous (green). BTW...that text? Worst way to wake up....EVER!

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    1. Sorry about that Mr. Mod! I was all excited and had to let someone know and you're the only friend I have who would appreciate such things. All the others think I'm crazy waking up to go to estate sales and spending hours thrifting. I bet another will come up soon with the way things have been going.

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  9. Fantastic find, congratulions! Hope to see a post when it's all set on the wall.

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    1. I'm gonna get that mount made and then we'll get that baby up there! I'll certainly get A LOT of shots when it is.

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  10. when i saw your preview post, i was certain this is what you were talking about! so amazing :) i would get it welded.

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  11. Amazing find - I'm completely jealous! I would have a new mount welded on and skip the plastic coating. The original patina gives it more character.

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