Vari-Vue lenticulars from the 1950s and 1960s like these are harder and harder to find. We love this little piece that features Saint Anthony and asks for his blessing.
One image features Saint Anthony watching over a mid-20th century automobile and reads:
Proteggici sulla Strada (Protect us on the Road)
The other features Saint Anthony holding the baby Jesus, watching over a family of four and reads:
Proteggici in Famiglia (Protect the Family)
Vari-Vue was the premiere maker of such lenticulars. Typical of their products, the movement is smooth and made of multiple images - it does not just switch between two pictures as so many of the lenticulars do today.
Each one is in superb condition and is marked Vari-Vue on the back, further verifying its authenticity. Such items are also called flashers, flickers, wiggles, animation or winky pictures.
Each measures 1-1/4 inch high by 1-1/8 inch wide.
These were made for an Italian buyer. The back reads:
"Proprietà riservata" "Messagiero di Sant'Antonio" Concess. esclusiva per tutto il Mondo "DECA" Company, San Marino VARI-VUE® PAT.NO. 2,815,310 MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. - MADE IN U.S.A.
Two pieces shown for illustration only. Please let us choose one for you.
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