PETER MAX And CHARLES FAZZINO BERZAC BANKS
2 years
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Two unique Peter Max commissions & a Charles Fazzino commission
A brief summary of the three Detroit-area companies involved in the manufacturing of these historically significant American Space Race era promotional mechanical banks:
Astro Mfg first patented this Guided Missile Bank in 1957, but production didn‘t begin until after 1960 due to bureaucratic red tape
During the period between 1950 and early 1970‘s, Vacumet Finishing was contracted to apply the various chrome and lacquer finishes to both Duro Mold & Mfg and Astro Mfg banks All three companies had a great working relationship
Before Duro closed, they sold the rights to their various banks to Astro, and a few years later Astro sold the rights to the molds to Vacumet Finishing when brothers John and Steven‘s health began to fail
Various bank model types were re-issued by Vacumet in the mid-1970‘s, including the Guided Missile Bank Vacumet‘s first releases of this bank were direct copies, including Astro‘s little logo on each side of the silver chromed upper fuselage (A in a circle)
These are rare
Later re-issues came in 1975 with no finish, designed to be painted by the new owner Most were painted white because the Bicentennial-themed paper stickers accompanying the bank were printed on white stock
How Peter Max got involved
I first met Peter Max in 2004, and it was a surreal experience when we exchanged dialogue and it was discovered we were from the same neighborhood on Manhattan in NYC He graciously signed a Subway Series t-shirt for me
After the first meeting, I felt compelled to go see him againI couldn‘t explain why
In 2007 I discovered these banks and began my research Two years later I did my first Astronaut Autograph Show in Cape Canaveral and realized the true historical value of these banks after the museum curator there accepted my donations {This was the first of what by 2019 would be a total of nine museums who‘d acquired my donations of these intriguing vintage toy banks}
Then in 2010 I met Peter again at Wentworth Gallery, and inquired about painting a bank He declined, but did sign a small Apollo 11 poster print for me
In 2014 I met Peter again, and, armed with my 2012 magazine article (see above) featuring these banks, was successful in convincing him of their historical value, as well as the details regarding Vacumet‘s bare 1975 re-issue, which included Bicentennial-themed decal stickers
His eyes lit up when I mentioned my donations to a few museums, including the Smithsonian Air & Space, and to my delight, he seemed truly intrigued and impressed before writing his number down on the back of my business card
For both commissions, I emailed images of my concepts, which he then magically brought to life Of Peter‘s many styles, I chose these two particular themes because of his love of the Cosmos (Space Truckin‘) and his dedication to preserving Lady Liberty
I decided to visit him one more time for a photograph with both banks He told me that mine were among the most challenging and satisfying commissions he‘d ever done
That‘s the story of my two unique Peter Max Berzac Banks
A brief summary of the three Detroit-area companies involved in the manufacturing of these historically significant American Space Race era promotional mechanical banks:
Astro Mfg first patented this Guided Missile Bank in 1957, but production didn‘t begin until after 1960 due to bureaucratic red tape
During the period between 1950 and early 1970‘s, Vacumet Finishing was contracted to apply the various chrome and lacquer finishes to both Duro Mold & Mfg and Astro Mfg banks All three companies had a great working relationship
Before Duro closed, they sold the rights to their various banks to Astro, and a few years later Astro sold the rights to the molds to Vacumet Finishing when brothers John and Steven‘s health began to fail
Various bank model types were re-issued by Vacumet in the mid-1970‘s, including the Guided Missile Bank Vacumet‘s first releases of this bank were direct copies, including Astro‘s little logo on each side of the silver chromed upper fuselage (A in a circle)
These are rare
Later re-issues came in 1975 with no finish, designed to be painted by the new owner Most were painted white because the Bicentennial-themed paper stickers accompanying the bank were printed on white stock
How Peter Max got involved
I first met Peter Max in 2004, and it was a surreal experience when we exchanged dialogue and it was discovered we were from the same neighborhood on Manhattan in NYC He graciously signed a Subway Series t-shirt for me
After the first meeting, I felt compelled to go see him againI couldn‘t explain why
In 2007 I discovered these banks and began my research Two years later I did my first Astronaut Autograph Show in Cape Canaveral and realized the true historical value of these banks after the museum curator there accepted my donations {This was the first of what by 2019 would be a total of nine museums who‘d acquired my donations of these intriguing vintage toy banks}
Then in 2010 I met Peter again at Wentworth Gallery, and inquired about painting a bank He declined, but did sign a small Apollo 11 poster print for me
In 2014 I met Peter again, and, armed with my 2012 magazine article (see above) featuring these banks, was successful in convincing him of their historical value, as well as the details regarding Vacumet‘s bare 1975 re-issue, which included Bicentennial-themed decal stickers
His eyes lit up when I mentioned my donations to a few museums, including the Smithsonian Air & Space, and to my delight, he seemed truly intrigued and impressed before writing his number down on the back of my business card
For both commissions, I emailed images of my concepts, which he then magically brought to life Of Peter‘s many styles, I chose these two particular themes because of his love of the Cosmos (Space Truckin‘) and his dedication to preserving Lady Liberty
I decided to visit him one more time for a photograph with both banks He told me that mine were among the most challenging and satisfying commissions he‘d ever done
That‘s the story of my two unique Peter Max Berzac Banks