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Calvin Black (1903–1972) and Ruby Black (1915–1980), “Possum Trot Figure: Liz”, Yermo, San Bern…
Possum Trot Figure: Liz
Calvin Black (1903–1972) and Ruby Black (1915–1980), “Possum Trot Figure: Liz”, Yermo, San Bern…
Calvin Black (1903–1972) and Ruby Black (1915–1980), “Possum Trot Figure: Liz”, Yermo, San Bernadino County, California, 1953–1969, Paint on redwood and pine with fabric, 33 × 10 × 7 in., Collection of the American Folk Art Museum, Gift of Elizabeth Ross Johnson, 1985.35.8. Photo by Adam Reich.
Record Details

Possum Trot Figure: Liz

Artist
Date1953–1969
Place/RegionYermo, California, United States
MediumPaint on redwood and pine with fabric
Dimensions33 × 10 × 7"
Credit LineGift of Elizabeth Ross Johnson
Accession number1985.35.8
Photo CreditAdam Reich
CopyrightCopyright for this work is under review.
Description

In 1953, Cal and Ruby Black moved to the Mojave Desert in California where they opened a rock shop. Soon afterward they began to create "Possum Trot," a miniature amusement park that they hoped would attract customers to their business. The premier entertainment at Possum Trot was the Bird Cage Theater and its "fantasy doll show" starring approximately seventy figures carved, painted, and operated by Cal and dressed by Ruby.

Elizabeth V. Warren and Stacy C. Hollander, "Possum Trot Figures: "Liz" and "Blond Girl"," Expressions of a New Spirit: Highlights from the Permanent Collection of the Museum of American Folk Art (New York: American Folk Art Museum, 1989), 125

Possum Trot Figure: Helen (figure on left) Calvin Black (1903-1972) and Ruby Black (1915-1980)…
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1953–1969
1985.35.3
Calvin Black (1903–1972) and Ruby Black (1915–1980), “Possum Trot Figure: Blond Girl”, Yermo, S…
Possum Trot Figure: Blond Girl
Calvin Black (1903–1972) and Ruby Black (1915–1980)
1953–1969
1985.35.4
Possum Trot Figure: Genny (figure on right) Calvin Black (1903-1972) and Ruby Black (1915-1980…
Possum Trot Figure: Genny
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1953–1969
1985.35.7
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1953–1969
1985.35.5
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Small Totem
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1955
1985.35.6
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n.d.
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2003.6.2
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1953–1969
2003.6.3
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