is still a lucky charm, and anyone who has one of these rarities is a lucky collector. The heads are a very different shape, made of black glass or very occasionally plastic, and the front of the shirt is marked LUCKY LUCE - if anyone knows why I’d love to know the story.
With the great popularity of the Fums Ups other variations emerged as the War went on - and continued through WWII as well. This round version didn’t move, the hands are attached in the up position, and this is the version that was further personalised in the different army hats, and even a female variant. Those tend to be even rarer, but are not as widely collected. While it can be argued that every charm collection needs the Fums Up, to aquire one in every style requires a dedicated (and insane) collector.
Check this one out on eBay - it seems to be handmade. click here for the AUCTION
Took me awhile but I have some interesting pictures of various ‘Fums Up’ Touch Wood’ Touch Wud’ etc. I have a friend (who shall remain nameless at his/her request) who has an extensive collection and has agreed to share some pictures.
I think the progression of these is particularly interesting, from the 1914-16 reg. marks used in the first World War, and through to the 70’s when Nuvo made the last of the character series, identified by the double diamond and st sil mark. There were the kewpies and sambos (a particular embarrassment, but part of the cycle non the less), the bead heads, the gold, brass, & sterling, the various armed forces and the occasional hand made one - don’t even start on all the different eye variations! From the catalogs of the day we now know that they were sold in both America and the United Kingdom, but the range of manufacture remains unclear.
Here are a few to drool over:
There are so many things to be said about the charms we consider ‘lucky’ some came about by chance, some by deliberate profit schemes , but ever since we dragged ourselves from the oceans and gained grasping fingers, we have held onto those small items we feel bring us good fortune.
In the early part of the 20th century the Brits came up with a brilliant variation of the ‘touch wood for luck’ and in 1914 it was registered and marketed for sale to sweethearts as a protection gift. Perfectly timed for the first World War, thousands were sent with soldiers to the fields; I have to wonder how many were buried there, for many came back and survived on charm bracelets and in drawers. Perhaps they did their job and protected the loved ones, for I’ve never heard of one being in the personal items returned to a family, nor any sad story about one.
Fums Ups are one of the ‘must have’ charms, and a rare one can command a high price - my best one was a birthday present, still in the box, on the card and with my birthstone eyes. They come in many varieties some with no thumbs at all, some in army, navy - even female form. The roughest are wooden beads on metal forms, the finest made of gold and diamonds. One of those is listed right now if you want to see an example click here.
The different styles and types of these wonderful little ‘dolls’ is nearly endless, so until I get the scanner working and more catalog pages up - it’ll be a continuing theme. more tomorrow.
