NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER)
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2009 Jun 18 @ 11:00UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT
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In the 1930s, David Callahan, a buyer and vice president of Jordan Marsh, negotiated with toy makers in Bavaria to bring the handmade electromechanical animated figures and items to Boston which comprised the famous Historic Enchanted Village. Generations of New Englanders grew to cherish visiting Historic Enchanted Village, making the pilgrimage one of their most beloved holiday traditions.
Jordan Marsh, the Massachusetts-based department store chain, set up Historic Enchanted Village inside its store in Downtown Crossing at 450 Washington Street for the holiday season in the 1940s. It continued to be displayed by both Jordanís and the City of Boston virtually every holiday season until 2006.
Historic Enchanted Village occupied 8,000 sq. ft. at Jordan Marsh. It was an animated re-creation of a holiday scene in a colonial New England town. The scene included adult figures, 75 children, 75 bears, and other animals such as dogs, cats, and horses. The average lifelike figure was 4 feet 8 inches.
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History of the Enchanted Village
Jordan Marsh, a Massachusetts-based department store chain, set up Enchanted Village inside its store in Downtown Crossing at 450 Washington Street for the holiday season in the 1940s.
It 1972, Jordan Marsh discontinued the display. In 1990, Jordan's opened Enchanted Village to the public again, much to the delight of many local residents who considered a tour of the display part of the holiday tradition. When Macy's took over Jordan's in 1998, Macy's decided it would discontinue Enchanted Village and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino decided to make it a winter attraction on Boston City Hall Plaza. Enchanted Village was erected seasonally inside a tent on the Plaza until 2003. The next holiday season Enchanted Village moved to the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center. In 2006 it was announced that Enchanted Village would be discontinued because of poor attendance.
Enchanted Village occupied 8 thousand square feet at Jordan's. It was an animated re-creation of a holiday scene in a colonial New England town. The scene included adult figures, 75 children, 75 bears, and other animals such as dogs, cats, and horses. The average human figure was 4 feet 8 inches.
Visitors to Enchanted Village would walk through the town, past 12-foot-high snow-covered buildings and see holiday decorating taking place through the windows of homes, toy-making going on through a storefront window, and figures in other buildings getting ready for the holidays and enjoying the season.
One scene showed a woman in a library reading the book, ?Twas the Night Before Christmas,? then there was the mischievous dog stealing a string of popcorn off a Christmas tree, Mrs. Claus rolling out dough in a kitchen, an outdoor scene showed ice skaters on a frozen pond, and another scene showing a boy in a barbershop getting a haircut.
After walking past these holiday scenes and by doors decorated with wreathes, visitors would find Santa Claus and elves. In recent years, children would be given a candy cane and have the chance to speak with Santa. And in recent times, festive holiday music was played, the music of the Boston Pops Orchestra.
In the 1930s, David Callahan, a buyer and vice president of Jordan Marsh, negotiated with toy makers in Bavaria to bring the handmade animated figures and items to Boston which made up Enchanted Village.
Click Here for Virtual Tour: http://www.cityofboston.gov/cable/video_library.asp?id=1219
Auction Location:
3 Dolphin Way, South Boston, Massachusetts, 02210, United States
Previewing Details:
Monday, June 15 to Wednesday, June 17, 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
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Infinite |
16% |
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