Identification of bamboo bar set  

Those were very popular back then and were sold in lots of different kinds of stores from those selling only tropical crafts made of bamboo and rattan to regular old Sears and Montgomery Ward. There are hundreds of design variations. People created tiki bar rooms in their homes (a fad that had a resurgence a few years back). It probably had something to do with Hawaii joining the union and people learning about Hawaiian culture. That and wanting to feel like you could be on vacation when you were in your basement. Also, Gilligan's Island.

That and wanting to feel like you could be on vacation when you were in your basement.

Oh spanky, I want to repeat that line! I will (with your permission, natch).

I do,

Aunt Mark

ps I thought that the professor was smart. And cute. Probably a smoker. Ginger was trash.

Plus,

With his odd shape and pinky ring, do you think that the Skipper ever skippered a skank? I most resemble the love child of Thurston and Lovie. Mary Ann was nice.

Hi,

Aunt Mark.

ps why can't I get a picture of the bamboo (probably rattan) furniture from the OP? I only get Hauz advertising...or something. Bring it on!

Hi Bridgette.

I know that I would have enjoyed your grandmother! Any gal that would buy a bar whilst on an out of town trip..is my sort of people. Did she look like Debbie Reynolds?

Best,

Aunt Mark

Dang! I got an error message with one link and just one photo with the other link, but now i am getting an error message with both links.

The one i saw looked a bit like this, I think. The photo was of one end of it only.

There didn't appear to be a roof but no worries, you can order a thatched umbrella from Franks in CA and build your own on a Saturday afternoon. And PS, I adored Gilligan, and Maryann was OK, and maybe Ginger---but the rest of them could all go take a hike. (Now Hogan's Heroes, that's another story.)

Hi.

It's probably either Fick's Reed, or it's not. I like all bars.

Hi,

Aunt Mark

Spanky you are so right - there was a tiki themed party room in the basement! I never put it together about Hawaii and the resurgence of tropical themes but it makes sense!

Mark she kinda did look like Debbie a little!

Uploaded pic of bar from 1960!

Sorry about bad links, having some trouble uploading but here goes again ...

How do I tell if it's actual bamboo or reed/rattan?

I'd be very shocked if it was anything but real. Bamboo is a very inexpensive material because it grows so fast and is easily renewable. But I can tell from the general look of it that it's real and the way the natural glossy finish is a little bit crazed (crackled) on the curved corner in that one photo. You do see "faux bamboo" pieces made of wood, and there are some good reasons for this, but there is way, way more of the real stuff out there. It's been a major export of tropical countries for decades.

That photo is priceless! I hope you will put it in an appropriate frame and display it on the bar! It's going to make Mark SO happy.

My dearest Bridgette,

I can not begin to express my pleasure to you for posting that vintage snappy of your very cool grandmother, her lovely friends, and her sweet bar. The bar is probably a combination of Rattan, mahogany, and grass cloth. The bar stool and counter-top banding are rattan. Rattan bends easy, bamboo doesn't. I know of 3 local vintage rattan stores that would love to have that sweet piece in their inventory. Quality bars like yours are quite desirable, and rare...and expensive to purchase. It was probably custom made for an upscale Florida "patio store" when new. Nice set.

My best,

Aunt Mark

ps yes she does look like Debbie Reynolds!

pss I'm usually wrong.

Hi.

Neither of my grandparents looked like Debbie Reynolds, but they did purchase an airplane (shown) from Marshall Field Jr. in 1959. It had a bar.

Best,

Aunt Mark

You are quite right and I am quite wrong, Mark! It is indeed rattan. And I have also just learned that rattan is also used for xylophone mallet handles, and ---gasp!---donor bone???! So far it's only been used in sheep (the donor bone, not the xylophone mallets) but results are promising.

Oh!

I found a faded snappy of my grandmother hanging out next to the bar in my parents tacky basement. It was rattan. 1960.

Oh,

Aunt Mark