Mid Mod Meet Buenilum

Buenilum. If you can say that 10 times fast you should get an award! It does not exactly trip off the tongue. It is, however, an important name from the last century. As I am always on the look out for cool vintage pieces for the shop, hammered aluminum with that mid-century vibe catches my eye. Over the last year I’ve picked up this piece …

Buenilum Covered Dish (available at Vintage Eve’s)

And this one, too…

Buenilum Hammered Aluminum and Wood Covered Casserole Holder (available at Vintage Eve’s)

Buenilum is a brand name of the Buehner-Wanner Company. It was produced from the 1930s through the 1960s when the the company was sold to Pfaltzgraff in 1969.

Buenilum Aqua and Aluminium Chafing Dish (available at Gazaboo)

One of the owners, Frederick Buehner, was a craftsman from Germany. He had studied at the Deutscher Werkbund which was an association of artists, craftsmen, architects and industrial designers. The other owner was Franz Wanner. The castle that is featured in their BW logo represents Buehner’s home town of Lindach and came into use around 1945.

Buenilum Leaf Dishes (available at GRITSGirlz)

The name “Buenilum” was a smash-up of Fredereick’s last name and aluminum. It wasn’t a new formulation for aluminum but a brand name for the BW Company. Many of these pieces have Pyrex liners so there has to be some connection there.

Buenilum Bowl (available at Fourth Estate Sale)

The company started in New York in an office near the 59th Street Bridge but eventually moved to Norwalk, Connecticut where they stayed until they closed for good in 1973.

Buenilum Ice Bucket with Tongs (available at Night Shift Vintage)

 

There is not a lot of information on this company. I needed to use multiple sources to put this post together; each with just a little bit of info. I did want to highlight this company though, because a lot of their pieces epitomize the mid-century modern aesthetic. The hammered aluminum mixed with teak and other woods is, in my book, beautiful.

Buenilum and Corning Carafe (available at Vintaretto)

Thanks for stopping by. If you have any memories of Buenilum at your table growing up, please share! I will be on the link-parties to the right this week; if you have a second, check them out. Have a great week!

 

 

I Tilt My Cap for Capsco

I found this lovely little cup in a box the other day.

Capsco Demitasse Cup circa 1950 (available at Vintage Eve’s)

It’s just one of those cute little demitasse cups you would pick up in a souvenir shop. This one has a picture of the White House in Washington, D.C. On the bottom is a foil sticker marked “A Capsco Product.” It’s a pretty retro collectible from the late 1960s.

Capsco Plate circa 1950 (available at The Vintage Egg)

Capsco actually stands for Capitol Souvenir Company and it has a longer history than I thought. My original thought was that this company was a pop up in the 1950s but it actually started in the early 1920s. In 1922 a man named Jacob Goozh opened Empire Photo Studio at 917 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Capsco Dragon Vase (available at Melrose Memories)

He was someone with a lot of drive. He grew his business by going out onto the streets of Washington and photographing soldiers returning from WWI. He used “tin-type” photography so within minutes, the soldiers could take home their souvenir.

Washington D.C. Spoon by Capsco (available at Found Treasures 77)

By 1930 Jacob had relocated the business, which was by then Capitol Souvenir Company, to 105 Pennsylvania Avenue. The move allowed the company to catch the tourists visiting Washington D.C. by train and sell them souvenirs. This new location was minutes from Union Station. Location! Location! Location! Am I right?!

Capsco Wood Relief (available at Dew Drop Daisies)

I have to say, he knew what he was doing and really worked hard to make this life in America, where he had moved to in the early 1900s from Europe, be his dream.

Capsco Plaque with Sentiment (available at Alice’s Attix)

As time went on, Jacob branched out his business into Virginia and Maryland. He hired more salesmen and opened a retail shop. He also began visiting the Asian markets to import the souvenirs directly. In the 1940s his son, Joseph, took over the business which was growing into a national company.

Vintage Lucite Capsco Paperweight (available at Cordial Encounter)

Then during the 1960s Joseph’s sons, Jay and Martin joined the business and  Capsco became one of the most well-known names in souvenirs. They are still in business, actually. Under Jacob’s great-grandson, Capsco is still running out of Washington D.C. They also provide souvenirs at historic sites, museums, zoos, aquariums and more.

Souvenir Shoe by Capsco (available at Dandeedion)

It’s always amazing to me how people can make their own destinies. An interesting company for sure.I got most of this information from Capsco-inc.weebly.com in case you want more in depth info.

If you have any memories of a Capsco souvenir, share it with me. I love to hear from all of you! I will be partying at the link parties listed on the right this week. Great blogs, all of them. Have a great week!