Monday, September 24, 2012

Stairway to the Stars - vintage shelf


I have learned so much by researching this vintage crescent moon shelf.

Did you know it was a pattern designed by A. Neely Hall?
Did you know there was a song by Glenn Miller called, Stairway to the Stars?
Did you know that it was thought to be a wood shop project from the 1950s?
Did you know there are many different versions of this shelf and there was usually a wooden star as part of the pattern?

Well, I didn't know any of that. All I knew was that I remembered them from my childhood. We had one hanging on our living room wall. Ours did not have a star.

This is the only picture I could find with our crescent moon shelf hanging on the wall. 
Seems Mom used it to hang Christmas cards on one year. This is not me, but my niece posing in front of our mantle.


When I saw a dilapidated one on a pile of stuff to be taken to the dump in my neighbor's pull behind trailer, I knew I had to snatch it and try to restore it. With their permission, of course. I try not to take things from my neighbor's trash without their permission, though it may be tempting at times.

It has been sitting in my garage for a number of months, with nails sticking out and the landing unattached and a dangling stairway.

this is a cleaned-up version of it. It was quite dirty and cobwebby. The nails were loose on the staircase, the landing was unattached with nails sticking out everywhere.

I found a small can of stain in the garage and stained the plywood on both sides.

Isn't it pretty? It looks like new.

I love knick knack shelves. Especially vintage ones. 

I also love new ones. . . 


My son made this scroll-saw knick knack shelf for me. I just love it.


Do you remember the Stairway to the Stars knick knack shelves?

Posted by Janet Smart at Writing in the Blackberry Patch.






21 comments:

  1. I don't remember seeing the stairway shelf. I do have some vintage scroll saw ones. Good job refurbishing this one. Never know whats in the trash do you?
    Ann

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  2. So cool! I am not familiar with the stairway shelf but I really like it. Your son's find is also quite cool.

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  3. Interesting post, Janet. I do remember the stairway shelves; sometimes they were made as projects in vacation Bible school.
    There was one hanging in my daddy's bedroom when he moved out, but I don't know where it went. The scroll work is fabulous! Lots of work and patience!

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  4. Yes, I remember the stairway shelf. Mineis long gone. The one your son made is gorgeous. And I do take trash :) without asking.

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  5. Janet,
    How nice that you found one to refinish. I remember those, I don't think we had one but my Aunt did.
    The cut work piece your Son make is really nice.
    Nancy Jo

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  6. Don't remember the stairway shelf. Your son is an artist with the scroll- saw! -- barbara

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  7. I've never seen one of those shelves. It's nice you did a great job referbishing it!

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  8. I have a vague memory of seeing one at my grandma's or an aunt's house.

    Your son did an excellent job on the shelf he built.

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  9. I saw this blog post as I was searching for one of these wooden "Stairway to the Stars"! I remember one that was on my grandmother's wall for many years. My aunt has no idea what happened to hers, but I'd love to find one. The one she had did have the star. Really great rememberies!

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    1. Hi Rhonda. So glad you commented. I hope you find one. I see them every now and then in our area. I have since got another one - I believe it was the garage of my mother-in-law's house. It never had a star either - but I love them.

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  10. Hi! I remember seeing one for the first time on a weekly sitcom. Maybe in the 70s. I wish I could remember which sitcom. I'd love to see it again.

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  11. Hi! I remember seeing one for the first time on a weekly sitcom. Maybe in the 70s. I wish I could remember which sitcom. I'd love to see it again.

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  12. I just found your blog while I was searching for info about this little stairway shelf. Interesting to read that some were made as a school shop project. Wish I knew more about them, they're so cute. I now have two, and one moon has the outline of the "man in the moon" face. I'd wondered if maybe the were sold in kits. I'm almost sure I remember my great aunt having one in the late 40s.

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  13. Sorry, meant to identify myself in the above comment.

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  14. we had a moon shelf and star when I was growing up...always wanted to have one for my home...I always loved it.

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  16. Thank you so much for your post on these shelves. I just stumbled on one that I love, and went searching for more info—so I really appreciate your post, even though it’s been years now and you may never see this message. Also, I’m just floored by your son’s artistry. What a lucky mom, to have a son who can make such things!

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    1. Hi! So glad you stopped by and commented. Glad you enjoyed my post.

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  17. My dad made dozens of wooden "Stairway to the Stars" shelves after he returned from WW2 (before I was born). In the 70's (when I was in high school) he made more, but used lathe-turned posts at the top and and bottom of the stairs and ball chain for railing to give them a contemporary look. All my aunts, uncles and cousins as well as many neighbors had one. My mom said there were specific figurines she had placed on Dad's earlier shelves, implying that the they were part of the intended look. By the 70's she could not find them any more, even in antiques stores, so I don't know what they were supposed to be.

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  18. Hi Stan. So glad you took the time to comment. Enjoyed hearing your story about your dad and your memories about these shelves. I love them. I think they are unique.

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