Lefton Porcelain Pink Elephants PAIR OF TWO Disneyland Ruggles China Glass Shop For Sale

Classic Disneyland Treasures fromthe Worldwide Disneyana Specialists at Saturday\'s Toys

Item: Vintage Porcelain PINK ELEPHANTS from Ruggles China and Glass Shop in Disneyland

Date: 1964

Ruggles China and Glass Shop was an iconic, opening-dayshop on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland, operating from July 17, 1955, toMarch 1964. Founded by Phil and Sophie Papel, the store offered fine china,glassware, and unique souvenirs. It was eventually renamed as The ChinaCloset, which still sells more common merchandise.

Key Details & History:

• Location: Positioned on the east side of Main Street, U.S.A. Its coveted location near the Plaza Hub made it a popular spot for guests to shop.
• Merchandise: Known for hand-painted ceramics, salt and pepper shakers, and glassware. Items from the original shop are now highly sought-after collector\'s items.
• Legacy: It was one of the few places in the early days of the park to feature a beautiful street-facing window for displaying fine china

The \"Lefton Pink Elephant\" porcelain bisque figurines refer tomid-century ceramic and porcelain baby elephant figurines made in Japan during the 1950s and 1960s. These anthropomorphic,pastel-colored pieces were heavily influenced by post-WWII Japanese importnovelties and the cultural craze for \"kitsch\" nursery decor.

Key Historical Details

• Era of Production: Mid-1950s to 1960s. Following WWII, the American market saw a massive influx of hand-painted, ceramic giftware imported from Occupied Japan and later from post-treaty Japan.
• Makers:Lefton (Geo. Z. Lefton Co.): Founded by George Zoltan Lefton, an immigrant from Hungary, who built a Chicago-based empire of fine ceramics. Lefton pieces are highly coveted for their hand-painted details, gold accents (like bowties), and applied floral elements.
• The \"Pink Elephant\" Cultural Phenomenon: The mid-century obsession with pink elephants in barware, nursery items, and kitsch traces its roots back to the 1941 Disney animated film Dumbo, where the character hallucinates \"Pink Elephants on Parade\". This evolved into a cute, whimsical motif for baby showers, nursery decor, and good-luck charms (usually featuring the trunk pointed upward).

Measurement: 3\" wide x 3.5\" tall

Condition: Good; nicely preserved for more than 60 years.

(Additional photograph of Mrs. Papel provide for information only; not included with listing)