Hey Rick, nope I've never even heard of the show but if they went through the process and the do/don'ts when working with old fridges then I oughta find and watch the episode for ejumacational purposes. Thanks for the tip.
[] Hey Plummy Really nice find, and your shelves look great. I believe that there are paint stores that will match your fridges paint and can even put it inna spray can for easy application. Orchard supply comes to mind, but I am not sure........
I had this print in mind when I was appreciating the deco skyscraper design pressed into the sheet metal of the refrigerator:
It is a 1931 lithographed print of the Empire State Building, in all of it's art-deco glory. I love the contrast between 2 distinct mentalities; the Victorian, over-ornamented and self-indulgent little buildings dwarfed by the magnificent skyscraper, exuding a beauty in the aesthetics of it's purposeful construction. A triumph of human ingenuity; testament to the aspirations of an entire nation. Personally, the image is some particularly powerful stuff.
It is #7/100 and signed in pencil by Nat Lowell, who was apparently a highly regarded artist.
I bought this about 12 years ago at an estate sale. It was the 2nd day and everything was half off, so I got the print for 20 bucks. There was another Lowell print, but I was utterly captivated by the beauty of this print. I am not an art-nut by any means, and am perplexed by the crap that is passed off as "art" nowadays, but there was something so transcendent and inspiring about this piece that I happily paid what was a decent sum for a 12 year old.
Only recently did I research the artist and the print, and I was astonished to see how wise that 20 dollar investment was. I have not yet found this particular print offered for sale online, nor any images of it, but other, more plentiful prints of the Empire State Building by Nat Lowell sell from 1,000 on up. Since I can't find any images or data on this print, i am cautiously optimistic that it may be something very special. Perhaps I have a better eye for art than I thought!
If any of you deal in art or know more about the print, or realistic value, I would greatly appreciate any input.
Anyway, I was overjoyed to find the fridge, as was quite clear, but hanging this print on the wall above the fridge, or placing on top of the fridge (as the fridge is only 4'6" tall) would enhance the appeal of both items dramatically. If placed properly perhaps one could imply that the lines of the fridge terminate in the pinnacle of the spire in the print. The combination would create the centerpiece of a pretty awesome art-deco kitchen or man-cave. Hurray for antiques! []