Topic: one for the boy's

[Sue C]

Ithought the boy's would get a giggle out of these, hologram cufflink's, probably 1940s, unmarked, but fun dontcha think?

[Tigerchips]

I've never seen those before.

[Anne]

What is this type of image called? I'm wracking my tired brain trying to think what their name is.  I know they were very popular as cards in the 60s - we used to get them stuck onto comic covers, but I don't know when the technique was invented. Finding that would help date your saucy cufflinks, Sue.   (I wonder if Frank would know? He's a mine of eclectic info, I'll ask him.)

[Tigerchips]

Erotica?
Ooh Matron?

[Frank]

They were simply called 3d cards and go back a long way, at least 1920's. The posh name is Lenticular.

In the 70's Kodak, I think, marketed a camera that made them. Basically you take two images and cut then into tiny strips and then glue a piece of clear plastic embossed on one side with  prism shapes.

They are still being produced, often appearing in kids toys, cereal packet gifts. Modern ones are a lot thinner. I presume you can get software to knock them out on your PC and just by lenticular film to stick over it. A little fiddly but you can see the alignment before you stick them down. I remember having them in kit form as a kid with pre printed images.

[Sue C]

So what do you reckon the these Frank? 1940s? 

[antiquerose123]

Cufflinks...I have some here too as collectible.  Bet all the guys wished they still wore them 

Well, maybe these girlie ones.... (whistles)        PLAYBOY ... 

[Frank]

The images are loosely after Vargas style, but which probably dates it to the 60's.  I am assuming that you have interpreted the cuff link metalwork and not the picture, because the picture could easily be modern retro circa 2000.

In my opinion, not very stimulating much more objectifying than modern erotica which has become a sophisticated art-form. The era that these represent were still highly repressed but people were starting to emancipate - possibly those that buy such things are either retro freaks or still not emancipated. Nevertheless these are objects that represent social history.

[Anne]

Thanks Frank, I was sure you were the person to ask about these.