This over-sized rubber duck lives by our pool. He is more of a style statement than a toy.
The design of the classic rubber duck was patented in the 1940's by Russian/American sculptor Peter Ganine. It is estimated that he sold about 50,000,000 of them.
I suppose my first encounter with the cheeky chappie was at travelling fairgrounds where one tried to fish them out of a circulating river with a primitive fishing rod.
Since those days, the rubber duck has spread his wings. One of the biggest rubber duck occasions is the annual Freestore Foodbank Rubber Duck Regatta in Cincinnati Ohio (US), there is also the huge annual Aspen Ducky Derby (US), and the Knoxville Rubber Duck Race (US). The Americans are obviously crazy about rubber ducks.
Such events also take place in the UK and in Australia.
The rubber duck, rather like the rubber chicken, has become a design classic, and can be found in museums and art galleries the world over.
I would like to thank Mr Ganine for his duck; it makes my life just that little bit more pleasant each and every day.
Sonia Rykiel made a cute little sex toy duck !
ReplyDeleteSomeone had to!
DeleteIt is cute and still looks good like new!
ReplyDeleteGreetings Maria x
I re-painted his beak last winter.
DeleteHere in Harpenden there is a duck race on the River Lea on New Years Day.
ReplyDeleteI think they happen all over. Pooh Stick, but with ducky sticks.
DeleteWe have a 7 1/2 inch version in the showerroom along with rainbow coloured 2 inch ones on the cistern. They all have long eyelashes so are probably not Ganine, more Casa.
ReplyDeleteThey are obviously popular world-wide.
DeleteHow big is he/she? as Maria said he looks like new.
ReplyDeleteHe's about the size of a large beach-ball.
DeleteThey used to race about 1000 of them in the river here every year by chucking them over a bridge. The local MP (Don Foster) would provide a running commentary and announce disqualifications due to failed drugs tests, etc.
ReplyDeleteBath is perfect for Pooh Sticks too.
DeleteBath time isn't complete without a rubber duck - possibly a tad smaller than the one in the photo.
ReplyDeleteOf which we have several, of varying sizes.
DeleteDo the boys like him ? I bet they mess about with him in the pool ?!! I'm not sure if I have an opinion on rubber ducks ..... they haven't really featured in my life for some reason !!!! XXXX
ReplyDeleteHe does tend to get thrown about a lot (until Grumpy comes along).
DeleteYes, we in the US do love our ducks. There seems to always be a duck race around someplace. It is a nice fundraiser for charities in the summer. I wouldn't want to be at the end though collecting them all.
ReplyDeleteA big net maybe?
DeleteThat makes sense. I never watched the end of the race as it is usually only fun to watch for a few minutes.
DeleteThey are cheery little chaps, aren't they. Thank you for the info about the original design.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes.
Everything has a history, and a designer. We tend to forget.
DeleteKnew there was something missing from my morning shower !
ReplyDeleteJust be grateful that I'm here!
DeleteAnd on the side of my spa bath (in an otherwise decidedly non-ducky bathroom).
ReplyDeleteGood.... spread the word!
DeleteExcept that if there happens to be a duck race in any village above-beck from our meadows we do tend to get escapees.
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean that you have a collection?
DeleteI saw a prank once on the US version of The Office where Jim floated a rubber duck in the water cooler!
ReplyDeleteInside? I like that!
DeleteI take exception to your statement that Americans are obviously crazy about them (rubber ducks).
ReplyDeleteAmericans are obviously crazy. Period. Full stop.
Only the ones who support Trump, and the others who support Clinton.
Delete