Refrigerator Magnets
Refrigerator Magnets
I have found both series of refrigerator magnets and individual refrigerator magnets:
Series of Refrigerator Magnets
So far I have found three series of refrigerator magnets:
Refrigerator Magnets by Mark and Judy Cooke
2008 Two refrigerator magnets, each about 3½" x 5", presenting GA and "The Ant and the Chrysalis," respectively. $3.60 each from Mark and Judy Cooke, Elkhart, IN, through eBay, Oct., '08.
Here is another new one on me! I never would have thought of Aesopic refrigerator magnets. These two are very nicely made. Notice the hyperbole in the GA text: the ant drags a banana to his nest! Space and a change of typeface set off the moral in each case. Now here is a use of fables that Aesop never had in mind!
Series of Three French Refrigerator Magnets
2023 Series of three new refrigerator magnets representing three fables of La Fontaine. €9.90 from cosmicbox on Ebay, Sept., '23.
I am only beginning to learn that there is a significant market for refrigerator magnets! Here are three magnets with lovely representation of presumably older, traditional fable illustrations. That these exist was a pleasant surprise to me; that there are many other refrigerator magnets was another surprise! Now I need to find out where these traditional illustrations come from.
Redbubble Refrigerator Magnets
2023? Five refrigerator magnets in various sized from Redbubble. Various sizes. $60.46, Sept., '23.
I was surprised to learn that there is a growing industry producing various refrigerator magnets. The array of fable magnets available amazed me. Here is a selection of surprising finds!
Individual Refrigerator Magnets
2001? "The Tortoise and the Hair" magnet. Metal. 2" square. $5.75 from Azilliondollars.com through Etsy, Jan., '23.
This pun has been used before, for example in "Sin City Fables" from 1981. The cartoon character here is charming! I am unsure of the use of this magnet -- perhaps on refrigerators? The creator recommends it as a gift to hairdressers. Fables provoke fun!
2018 FS Refrigerator magnet. 4½" square. With Walter Crane's illustration of the fable. $5.95 from Labelstone through Etsy, August, '18.
The detail in this reproduction is spectacular. Crane's two-panel approach appeals to me as the way to present this fable. As often, W.J. Linton's text is more comment than narrative.
2020 Refrigerator magnet "When all is said and done, more is said than done. –Aesop". $5 from StuckOnUArt through Etsy, July, '20.
I find it intriguing to see what statements are attributed to Aesop. I am sure that this sentiment fits with more than one fable, but I am unsure where this formulation entered the Aesopic tradition.