by Robin Cohen

From the beginning of their marriage in 1969, Larry and Susann Spilkin had an interest in collecting. They liked to roam the flea markets and antique shows, both locally and while traveling, looking for anything “interesting” that would catch their eye. For a while, they even became dealers, setting up at shows and buying and selling twentieth century designs when the pieces were more affordable, more plentiful, and when it was more fun. Today, the Spilkins are serious collectors of twentieth century decorative arts with a number of interesting collections, ranging from funky-kitsch to streamlined modern—and all fabulous. Initially they were drawn to American pottery (buying their first piece in 1970)—Rookwood, Roseville (especially Futura), Fulper, Trenton—and those pieces with either Deco or Art Nouveau lines. Early on, though, Larry and Susann also had an “eye” for anything with a “streamlined modern look.” They began picking up toasters, irons, and lamps—like the Polaroid lamp designed by Walter Dorwin Teague. These were ordinary household appliances of their day with a design and style that was anything but ordinary—by some of the well-known designers of that era. Larry spent much time at the library, researching a company or a designer in an effort to gain additional knowledge or insight. They bought Howard Miller and Herman Miller wall clocks, as well as any table models with a great design. These clocks, by such known designers as Paul Frankl and Kem Weber, are prominently displayed in a built-in unit in the living room. Larry and Susann started buying cocktail shakers—designed in the shapes of skyscrapers, zeppelins, and penguins—before it was fashionable. Through the years, they have sold off most of these, keeping only the best. The radio collection is one of their favorites—mostly catalins and early plastics that are displayed throughout the house. They peek out from between the many decorative arts reference books (another wonderful collection in and of itself) housed on library shelves in the upstairs hall. They brighten the shelves of the family room with their unusual color combinations and designs. In this room sits a rare pair of blue-mirrored Spartan radios, a four-knob and a three-knob model. Also designed by Walter Dorwin Teague for Sparks-Withington Co. of Jackson, Michigan in 1936, these are two of the most sought-after radios by collectors. In the upstairs exercise room, there are many more radios sharing space on shelves with Larry’s lighter collection. Again, the colors and designs are fascinating. In this room, I could actually spend some time on the treadmill or stationary bike with so much to look at and keep my interest. Larry loves all the radios, but says some of his actual favorites are not the catalins, but the early plastic models like the FADA Beetle and the Tombstone. He has several of each of these models in different color combinations.

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