Posted 3 years ago
tubbyk
(22 items)
This much loved guy has always been called Billy Goat Gruff. My mum was born in the late 1930’s and can’t remember a time when he wasn’t displayed on grandmas shelf. There are no marks but I’d love to know if anybody has an idea of his origins, the maker etc. My grandma had quite a few 1930’s vases so I’m guessing he’s from this era?
Sure looks like Oscar...
Search Oscar the billy goat
Excellent! Thank you dav2no1, that’s him! Is there a history behind Oscar? I see there are a lot of metal doorstops in this shape. Can’t find any pottery ones yet and can’t find anything telling me about the story behind the Oscar form.
A quick search revealed nothing..not sure if they were playing the billy goat curse of the cubs...that goat had a different name..Murphy.
https://thepolitic.org/the-curse-of-the-billy-goat-a-history/
Or perhaps the curse of Oscar Washburn
https://www.mhsmarquee.com/opinion/entertainment-blog/2017/11/02/the-legend-of-oscar-washburn/
Hopefully Scott will chime in. He knows the history of doorstops and may be able to help us.
Wonderful little Oscar Billy Goat!! I've seen quite a few Oscar The Goat still banks and a few Oscar the Goat doorstops. However, I really haven't had any luck finding the history of any of these or the maker's info. If I can find any information, I'll be happy to share.
Thanks jscott0363. I’m pleased he has a name, but very curious to know how he got to country Australia. We had no US connections, so I’m guessing he made it to a gift shop here and was bought locally. He doesn’t have ‘Oscar’ stamped on the side as the cast iron goats do, but it’s definitely the same design or a good contemporary copy.
I saaw a bunch on the Bay .. one was numbed I/259 and said was made in the 40's might check out the bay for bits of info....good luck .. is yours numbered...?
I’d agree with 1940s. Anytime I see that tan-mustard matte glaze, I think production during WWII. Other oxides were in short supply during that time, so that glaze was prevalent
Bonafide, no, there are no marks and unlike the metal versions, mine doesn’t have ‘Oscar’ on his side.