For many Americans, Thanksgiving just wouldn’t be complete without a Don Featherstone turkey decoration gracing the holiday table. This iconic turkey blow mold designed by Don Featherstone in the 1960s has become a beloved tradition in households across the United States.
A Brief History of the Don Featherstone Turkey
Don Featherstone was working as a designer for Union Products, a plastics manufacturing company in Leominster, Massachusetts in the 1960s. When the company wanted to expand their product line to include holiday decorations, Featherstone came up with the idea of a 3D plastic turkey centerpiece for Thanksgiving He sketched some concepts, created clay models, and eventually perfected the familiar turkey form with its circular base, plump body, and fanned tail feathers
The Don Featherstone turkey blow mold debuted at the 1966 New York Toy Fair and was an immediate hit. The turkey was made from lightweight, durable plastic that could be mass-produced using the blow molding process. This allowed Union Products to churn out thousands of the turkeys and sell them in stores across America for an affordable price, usually under $10.
Over 50 years later, Featherstone’s simple but clever turkey design remains virtually unchanged and is still produced by Union Products. Many vintage Featherstone turkeys from the 1960s and 70s are also still around today, cherished by collectors or holiday decor enthusiasts.
Why the Don Featherstone Turkey Became an Iconic Symbol
There are a few key reasons why Featherstone’s turkey achieved such iconic status:
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Nostalgic association with Thanksgiving – For Americans who grew up in the 60s-90s, the turkey is a nostalgic symbol of Thanksgiving from their childhood. Its cheerful, recognizable form elicits warm memories of gathering around the holiday table.
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Traditional aesthetic – The turkey’s colors and folksy style give it a traditional look that fits right in with classic Thanksgiving decor. The simple design has an almost timeless appeal.
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Affordability – Making the turkey inexpensive and accessible allowed it to become widely popular and a tradition families could continue for generations.
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Pop culture prominence – The turkey appeared in TV shows, cartoons, movies, and more over the years, cementing its place in the cultural zeitgeist.
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Customizability – People enjoy decorating Featherstone turkeys with outfits, accessories, and custom paint jobs to make each one unique.
Hunting for Vintage Don Featherstone Turkeys
For collectors and Thanksgiving lovers, getting your hands on a vintage Featherstone turkey can be a real thrill. The most valuable and sought-after Featherstone turkeys date back to the 1960s and 70s when they were first produced. On sites like eBay, Etsy, and other auction marketplaces, shoppers can browse hundreds of vintage Featherstone turkeys for sale from various eras:
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1960s-70s turkeys – These earliest editions can command premium prices in the hundreds of dollars, especially if still in good condition with original paint and lights intact. Rare attributes like flocked feathers or hand-painted details also increase value.
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1980s-90s turkeys – Mid-century vintage turkeys often sell in the $50-150 range. Signs of age like paint chips or cord damage may lower the price a bit. Working light sets are ideal.
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Modern 2000s+ turkeys – Recently manufactured turkeys generally sell for under $50. Look for special attributes like unusual sizes, poses, holiday outfits, or limited edition tags.
Whether buying as an investment or to finally add that retro Featherstone turkey you’ve always wanted to your collection, be sure carefully inspect photos to verify condition, age, markings, and attributes before purchasing.
Displaying Your Don Featherstone Turkey
The charm and appeal of the Featherstone turkey makes it a joy to put on display:
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On the mantel – A mantle decorated with turkeys, fall garlands, and candles makes for a cozy Thanksgiving display.
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As a centerpiece – The turkey looks right at home as the centerpiece on your Thanksgiving table surrounded by autumn wreaths, gourds, and flowers.
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In a curio cabinet – Show off a prized vintage turkey by placing it in a lit curio or glass cabinet along with other cherished holiday decorations.
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On an outdoor porch – Give your turkey some fresh air! Place it on the porch or in the yard paired with hay bales and seasonal plants.
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In a collection – Group together big and small turkeys in a dedicated display corner or shelf. Mix and match vintage, modern, and specialty turkeys.
Wherever you choose to show off your Featherstone turkey, it’s sure to kick off nostalgia and that warm, welcoming Thanksgiving feeling. The iconic turkey is a tradition worth continuing for generations to come.
History[]
The Turkey was first made in 1996. The Turkey was one of the few Thanksgiving blow molds available at the time, and many families still buy it today for their porch and yard Thanksgiving displays. It looked great as a Thanksgiving table centerpiece because its tails were spread out. It looked especially good when paired with the Pilgrims and Native American molds. In 1999, a bigger, more realistic Turkey came out, and it was made along with the first one for the rest of its production.
When Union Products went out of business in 2005, they stopped making both turkeys and all the other Thanksgiving blow molds.