PHONE (920) 746-9080

 

TO:  ALL LINDA BALDWIN SNICKLE COLLECTORS

FROM:  OSCAR HANSEN

RE:  FORMATION OF THE GREAT LAKES SNICKLE CLUB

 

LINDA LINDQUIST BALDWIN SNICKLE CLUB

ORIGIN – JANUARY, 2003

FOUNDING LOCATION – STURGEON BAY, WISCONSIN

Perhaps you are asking yourself, what is The Linda Lindquist Baldwin Collectors Club all about?   Let me bring you up to date with Linda’s art world and business so that together, we can continue to collect and enjoy her work, and celebrate her wonderful personality that we have enjoyed so much over the past 15 years.

 

Back in the mid and late 1980’s, Linda was working night and day trying to hand sculpt enough santas to please her ever growing number of collectors.  It just was not humanly possible to live up to that expectation, and in 1992, Linda signed a contract with the Schmid Collectible Company who helped out by producing from Linda’s originals, a very fine, cold cast porcelain reproduction of her work.   Schmid produced her santas through 1995, when Enesco picked her up and continued offering not only her Belsnickles (Santas), but also introduced the Snowsnickle (Snowmen/women) Collection, The Sam Snickle (Patriotic) Collection, The Broom Snickle (Halloween) Collection, and The Haresnickle (Easter) Collection, The Nautical Collection and more!  Oscar’s was very fortunate to be involved with Linda from 1989 forward.  Linda allowed me to test market her original artwork in my stores; this gave both Linda and myself an opportunity to get to know one another better, and to get a true reading of the market in our part of the country for her artwork.

 

Fortunately for all of us, Linda has worked with more determination than any artist I know.  She has continued to place her collectors in the forefront of everything she has done.  Linda has always listened to what you, the collector has had to say (when you could sneak in a word);  she has appreciated all the friendships that have evolved over the years as well as the hearts that she has been able to touch through her work.

 

AND NOW, 2003 BRINGS A WHOLE NEW CHAPTER TO THE WORLD OF SNICKLES!

For those of you who are not aware, as of January 1, 2003, Linda has made the choice NOT to renew her contract with Enesco, but rather, to take on her company herself.  She has done this because she wants to see her art continue in the highest quality standard, and her distribution to be controlled.  For this, I stand and applaud Linda.  This is a time in Collectible History that we are seeing collectibles reaching an over saturated point. The mass merchants such as Sams, WalMarts, Dollar Stores, and other discount stores are showing up to take over.  The limited collectibles are becoming a thing of the past.

 

By Linda taking her company into her own hands, she will not be looking at her snickles ending up in the 24/7 stores, discount market, or at the local grocery counters.  We will see Linda’s Snickles continue in a very LIMITED, HIGH QUALITY STATUS! That is the ultimate for us, the collectors of the Belsnickle, Snowsnickle, Broomsnickle, Samsnickle, Haresnickle, and whatever other “Snickle” she decides to add to her list.  This will GUARANTEE THE COLLECTIBLE STATUS of her snickles both from a personal gratification standpoint, as well as a secondary market point of view.

 

To keep informed and updated in the world of Linda Lindquist Baldwin, Linda has given me the privilege of starting The First Great Lakes Snickle Club.    At this meeting we will discuss the goals of this non profit organization utilizing Linda’s guidelines as our working tool.

We will elect officers, discuss and choose 3 additional dates for our quarterly meetings, and have the opportunity to offer input for the Quarterly Newsletter.   

EVERYONE is welcome to join this club, regardless of location of residence.  We anticipate a select number of Collector Clubs starting up across the country, and calling ourselves The Great Lakes Snickle Club, just helps to identify our location headquarters.   OSCAR’S will be the sponsor of this club.

 

Linda will be coming in for a signing with us during The Second Midwest Red Hat Celebration, July 10-12th.  Linda has designed a beautiful Red Hat Snow lady to be introduced at this very event! (it is up on Linda's site now, along with all of the 2003 Collection).   Linda will be one of our main speakers, as well as story teller (who, Linda? Stories??!!) and will be signing her art at this event.  (You don’t have to be a red hatter to come in for the signings!)

 

 

Click here to go to a printable registration form to fill out and mail in.