Collection 18: Chalk Carnival Prizes!

It's time for another collection post! I've been wanting to do this one forever, I just hadn't taken the time to photograph it! This is one of those that I started accidentally. I picked up one here and there and suddenly it was a collection! These little statues were given out as carnival prizes, starting in the great depression through the 1950's. There are some from the 1800's too, but those are usually actaully meant to be art. But I love these guys, and especially how the colors age. Here is my little collection:

Of course dogs make up the majority of my collection. That teeny poodle one is from the world's longest yard sale and the guy in the hat was from the Nashville Flea. A guy walking by was INDIGNANT when he heard the price the guy selling it asked. He said "Well if you are just going to GIVE it away!" Haha. 

So sweet. I love his expression. 

A little Pekinese. 

I found this collie like dog recently. I really like the blue bow, and her eyes are silver and at first I thought they were jewels! If only. 

Other than dogs, I have a few squirrels. I don't smoke but I couldn't resist this squirrel ash tray. 

And last but not least, this big red squirrel started it all! We bought this on a little birthday antiquing trip a few years ago. He is about a food and a half tall and lives on our refrigerator.

This is one of those thing I collect that I don't seek out actively, but I pick up any cute ones I see if the price is right. I've never paid more than a few dollars for them. I really don't see carnival chalk stuff that often, but they seem really plentiful in Kentucky.