memphis - Anything In Particular

1980s Multi-Coloured Westclox Plastic Quartz Wall Clock

Jon Nix — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 20:58:00 +0000

You'll probably either love this or hate it, but if you were a teenager (or slightly younger) in the 1980s then you might very well have had one of these on your bedroom wall. It has all that you'd expect from something of that era - bold primary colours, seemingly random shapes and geometric leanings. Think of the United Colours of Benetton, for example, and you're there. This is a Westclox quartz wall clock which was made in Britain and is primarily an ode to plastic and colour.

It is in full working order - requiring a single "AA" battery to run - and the plastics are all intact. It's likely that the "body" of the clcok was a more vibrant yellow originally. It has turned into a rather pale yellow colour with age. It doesn't seem to have been due to sun exposure (i.e. a yellowed white), as the entire body (external and internal) has faded consistently and evenly. There are some minor scratches and grazing to the outside of the body, but the clear face cover is in good shape with only very superficial scratches.

The clock measures 21 cm (8¼ in.) in diameter, the face has a diameter of around 16 cm (6¼ in.), and the clock has an overall depth of just over 4 cm (1¾ in.)

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1980s Black and White “Minilight” Desk Lamp designed by Kyoji Tanaka, Japan

Jon Nix — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 13:16:25 +0000

A small and lightweight desk lamp, the "MINILIGHT" designed by Kyoji Tanaka dates from the 1980s and is certainly reflective of the time. Some models were colourful and hinted at Memphis Style leanings, whilst this one in black and white colour scheme provides a slightly different aesthetic whilst still firmly of its time.

The lamp comprises a conical base with the top of the cone truncated. The base houses the switch, a battery compartment and an AC adaptor socket, whilst it is also slightly hollowed to allow the shade to sit in it when the folding arm is positioned appropriately. This transforms the whole lamp into a torch-like object, with the arm now appearing more like a handle, whilst the light itself can be used almost as a lantern when in this configuration. Otherwise, the three joints - one at the base, one at an "elbow" about halfway up the arm, and another just before the shade - allow the shade to be positioned as per a normal lamp.

Inside the shade is a small fluorescent tube which gives off a pleasing light and the cylindrical shade itself can be rotated to direct light where required. The images show a variety of the positions into which the lamp and shade can be placed.

In its most compact form, the lamp measures approximately 25 cm in height (10 in.). The base has a diamater of 11 cm (4½ in.) and a height of 6cm (2¼ in.), whilst the shade is 19cm (7½ in.) long.

In good working condition, though it has not been tested with an AC adaptor. The plastics have some minor signs of use (superficial scratches, etc.) but no chips or cracks. If one was to be very picky, one would say the white plastics have yellowed slightly from their original bright white. The battery compartment (4 "AA" size batteries are used for operation) is clean.

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1980s Merit Magic Cube Desk Stationery Set

Jon Nix — Sun, 31 Oct 2021 21:16:41 +0000

It doesn't get much more "80s" than this...! A must-have for any self-respecting desktop in the decade that brought us the New Romantics, shoulder pads, lycra and leg warmers, t-shirt slogans, and the Memphis Style, this is the Merit Magic Cube. A cube of black plastic which contains a variety of colourful stationery items/tools cleverly integrated into the shape. Whether they were actually usable or practical is a debateable point, but the angular and colourful design now looks incredibly retro and is very appealing. The cube is complete in terms of the tools (tape dispenser, pen, clock, knife, scissors, tape measure, magnetic paper clip holder) but the pen and clock might need attention (new ink and battery respectively), and it comes with the original box. The eagle-eyed will note that a corner piece can be removed to set the cube at a jaunty angle, too!

Must-have? Probably not, but this is a super little item which represents an era almost perfectly... and there can't be very many of them still around in this condition.

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1980s Sealed Platignum Colour Vibes Cartridge Pen

Jon Nix — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 21:00:22 +0000

With a multi-coloured style typical of the 1980s, this Platignum "Colour Vibes" cartridge fountain pen is not only sealed and as new, but it also comes with a free correction/eraser pen and a orange sticker proclaiming this. A rare find in this condition and a nice item from the period when muliti-coloured plastic was all the rage.

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IKEA Memphis Style Colourful Desk Lamp Type B9409 Made in Italy

Jon Nix — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 21:15:29 +0000

With more than just a nod to "Memphis" styling this Italian-made IKEA bedside lamp features bold primary multi-colour shapes in its metal and plastic construction. It's a fun little lamp and was probably originally intended for a child's or teenager's bedroom, but it's a great - and relatively serious - piece of design in its own right, especially in retrospect.

This one includes its original blue soft bulb, includes an inline switch, and is in excellent condition considering it dates back to the 1980s.

The lamp measures approximately 33 cm high, the plastic shade has a lower rim diameter of 15 cm and the base has a diameter of 13 cm. In excellent condition throughout.

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1980s Merit Magic Cube Desk Stationery Set

Jon Nix — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 13:04:31 +0000

It doesn't get much more "80s" than this...! A must-have for any self-respecting desktop in the decade that brought us the New Romantics, shoulder pads, lycra and leg warmers, t-shirt slogans, and the Memphis Style, this is the Merit Magic Cube. A cube of black plastic which contains a variety of colourful stationery items/tools cleverly integrated into the shape. Whether they were actually usable or practical is a debateable point, but the angular and colourful design now looks incredibly retro and is very appealing. The cube is complete in terms of the tools (tape dispenser, pen, clock, knife, scissors, tape measure, magnetic paper clip holder) but the pen and clock might need attention (new ink and battery respectively), and it comes with the original box and instructions. The eagle-eyed will note that a corner piece can be removed to set the cube at a jaunty angle, too!

Must-have? Probably not, but this is a super little item which represents an era almost perfectly... and there can't be very many of them still around in this condition.

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