Fineas J. Whoopie Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 Thoughts? Back too clean to be vintage? Paint seems to have a patina. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinluver2 Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 Never seen. Lots of nice detail on front of mold. Ready to pin on your Sunday Best! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe K. Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 What's the lettering on the back say? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fineas J. Whoopie Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 Looks like SYNEK to me. The same seller has an unpainted example on ebay with the same marking on the back. Couldn't find anything on line connecting Buck Rogers Lead Figure with SYNEK. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1950s-Lead-Pin-Pinback-Spaceman-Space-Astronaut-ET-Ray-Gun-RARE/273969033195?hash=item3fc9d3afeb:g:UEgAAOSwePtdVxNu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell Letson Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 It's been a while since I had to remember such things, but I recall there being kits for molding Buck Rogers figures--in fact, I think I have some figures made from these kits somewhere in my midden-heap. (Pause for Googling.) Yep-- https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/molds-and-clamp-buck-rogers-junior-casters-set Also--Google "buck rogers molding" and look at the Images view. So this looks like one of the Caster's Set figures adapted to be a pin rather than a standing figure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fineas J. Whoopie Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 Thanks Russell. Mystery solved! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fineas J. Whoopie Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 Originally I was thinking the paint on it might have been factory. There is a certain balance of coverage and sloppiness that says factory paint. But obviously not in this case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tradeya Posted November 7, 2020 Share Posted November 7, 2020 Hi, anyone happen to have one of these pins or know where I can get one? I have a friend who a sentimental reason for it due to Synek. I want to buy it for him. Willing to pay a reasonable price. Any leads very much appreciated. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tradeya Posted November 14, 2020 Share Posted November 14, 2020 Ok, here is the real and full interesting story on this pin. The OP was kind enough to sell it to me and I reunited it with the person who painted it in 1979. As follows: This pin was painted in 1979 in downtown NYC by famous graffiti artist, Al Diaz. Al Diaz was part of the street art duo between himself and Jean Michel Basquiat called SAMO: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAMO. He painted that pin himself 41 years ago from a casting made by a guy named Richard Synek who used to hang out in downtown Manhattan as part of this graffiti crew along with Al Diaz, Basquiat, etc. during the gritty times of NYC. Al and Basquiat (before Basquiat got famous) were going to sell these painted pins (1979) to earn a few bucks. Basquiat never did anything with them, but, Al painted a few of them but they got lost over the years and he's been searching for one for decades. Al and Jean Michel got into a fight about it because I think Basquiat thought Al went and did it behind his back. The pin isn't worth much in $ terms, but, it means a lot to Al as he is the guy who painted it and the history it has for him with his old friends like Synek, Basquiat, from 1979 in lower Manhattan. Al was incredibly happy to receive this pin back and made a big post about it on his Facebook wearing the pin and telling the story with a big smile on his face. I think he thought he'd never find one in his lifetime. Al is a friend of mine who is a good guy and has helped me out with various authentications, etc. in the past so i was happy to reunite him with his original work. Again, I don't think it has a lot of monetary value (it wasn't done by Basquiat and Al Diaz alone doesn't command big prices for his artwork), but, it has a lot of sentimental value to him. Overall, totally interesting story. Thank you to the OP for making this post and for selling the pin to the guy who has so much sentimental attachment to it. I gifted it to Al, so, and I feel great about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6Stelab9 Posted November 15, 2020 Share Posted November 15, 2020 Great story for a small pin. Thank you for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunik Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 The kind of stuff I love, this story. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 Wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it with us. And thanks to Don ( I assume ) for generously passing the pin on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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