Flash Gordon syroco

Did you know that for years now collectors have called the well known King Features wooden statues as "Syrocos," but that's the wrong name?

The term "Syroco" has also been used in a generic manner by numerous collectors to describe the beautiful, stylistic pressed wood collectibles, though the figures originated from at least a couple different manufacturers, chiefly The Syracuse Ornamental Company (hence "Syroco") of Syracuse, New York and Multi Products, Inc. of Chicago.

During the '30s and '40s, Multi Products and Syroco created products for general use such as corkscrews, decorative mirrors, bookends, thermometers, ashtrays, tie racks, and other items. Numerous souvenirs were also manufactured for events and locations, including the New York World's Fair 1939.

Several plaques were produced by Multi Products featuring Pinocchio. Multi Products was best known for producing the wooden Captain Marvel and Pinocchio statues, while Syroco, at least as far as collectors go, was best known for other figures.

In 2003, a statue of Hans from Hans and Fritz was offered in auction by Geppi's Entertainment's Hake's Americana & Collectibles. With it was the original box, an unusual find to be sure. The box features various images of the King Features characters from the 1944 series. More importantly, it noted it was produced by Multi-Products, Inc. of Chicago.

This discovery of the manufacturer of the King Features series is just another of the many fascinating discoveries in character, further enhancing the attractiveness of the Syroco and Syroco-like figures.

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Flash Gordon syroco		Giddy Cat syroco		Phantom syroco
Pinocchio syroco		Popeye syroco