Bencini piano man statue

Scooter

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Jun 10, 2010, 11:25:33 AM6/10/10

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I had two of these, and sold them both.

A retailer in Australia used to sell them, but evidently no longer does. So
Starz seems to be the only place to get one, unless maybe if you go to Italy.
Or possibly eBay. Starz wants $200 for one.

http://www.starz.bz/barrymanilow/product.cfm?product=336

BTW, I don't know if most people know this, but this figurine wasn't created
for Barry. There are a number of these figures playing different musical
instruments, plus doing other various things, like lifting weights, a skier
with a broken leg, a jogger, a professor, etc.

Here are photos of some of them:

http://images03.olx.ca/ui/1/54/87/12744787_4.jpg

http://www.justflutes.com/images/products/bencini_flautist_male_th.jpg

http://tinyurl.com/264bwcy

http://tinyurl.com/2b9q2e4

From my distant memory, I think Barry, or someone in his entourage saw the
piano man in a shop, and thought it looked just like him. And that's how it
ended up on the TTGTF album cover, and for sale through StarGlow/Starz.

--
Scooter

Totosmom

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Jun 10, 2010, 11:44:39 AM6/10/10

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Evidently a new stock of them have arrived.

From Chris at Starz.bz, twitter page:

Just arrived at the port...Bencini Statues! It's been 2 yrs since
we've had them in stock. http://bit.ly/9CTwuq #Manilow

Bonnie

Scooter

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Jun 10, 2010, 11:50:47 AM6/10/10

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Totosmom <BGC...@yahoo.com> wrote in news:31e46ebb-c092-4b8f-9730-

>
> Evidently a new stock of them have arrived.
>
> From Chris at Starz.bz, twitter page:
>
> Just arrived at the port...Bencini Statues! It's been 2 yrs since
> we've had them in stock. http://bit.ly/9CTwuq #Manilow
>

I saw his Tweet, and a bunch of RTs. I should have included that in my post.
That's what jogged my old, beaten up memory. :-)

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Scooter

Scooter

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Jun 10, 2010, 12:01:29 PM6/10/10

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BTW, I remember when Starz was selling them for $75. Now they're $200.

--
Scooter

Jackie

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Jun 10, 2010, 12:10:35 PM6/10/10

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I really liked the sculptor's style and love that the sculpture most
likely got a good following after the album cover. I wonder what the
initial sculpture cost at the time?

According to this eBay item - the sculptor is still living. I'm
hoping he gets a percentage from each figurine sold at Starz. :-)

http://cgi.ebay.com/BENCINI-ITALY-ART-SCULPTURE-TURN-CENTURY-GOLFER-/130396817618#ht_500wt_921

Jackie

desertcactus

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Jun 10, 2010, 12:14:19 PM6/10/10

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Thanks for the info, I just assumed it was Barry all this time. Quite
the coincidence the figurine looks like Barry. Another urban Barry
Manilow legend reveiled.

Jackie

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Jun 10, 2010, 12:15:19 PM6/10/10

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If they are ceramic, having it cast and duplicates created out of it
isn't that expensive. Clay and glaze is dirt cheap (pun intended).
I'm sure there was a contract or an agreement for use of the sculpture
with the artist -- not sure if he would get a cut off of each sold or
was given a lump sum at the beginning of issues -- but they were
making a profit even at $75.

Jackie

desertcactus

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Jun 10, 2010, 12:15:52 PM6/10/10

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Sorry keep forgetting to put my name. Desert Cactus.

Scooter

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Jun 10, 2010, 12:20:07 PM6/10/10

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Jackie <jacki...@gmail.com> wrote:

> On Jun 10, 11:01 am, Scooter <em...@invalid.com> wrote:
>>
>> BTW, I remember when Starz was selling them for $75. Now they're $200.
>>
>

> If they are ceramic, having it cast and duplicates created out of it
> isn't that expensive. Clay and glaze is dirt cheap (pun intended).
> I'm sure there was a contract or an agreement for use of the sculpture
> with the artist -- not sure if he would get a cut off of each sold or
> was given a lump sum at the beginning of issues -- but they were
> making a profit even at $75.
>
> Jackie
>

They are ceramic, and could be quite easily broken. I do think they're hand
made. The two I had were obviously not cast from a mold as they were
different in many details, limb placement, etc.

--
Scooter

Scooter

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Jun 10, 2010, 12:23:12 PM6/10/10

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Jackie <jacki...@gmail.com> wrote in

> I really liked the sculptor's style and love that the sculpture most
> likely got a good following after the album cover. I wonder what the
> initial sculpture cost at the time?
>
> According to this eBay item - the sculptor is still living. I'm
> hoping he gets a percentage from each figurine sold at Starz. :-)
>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/BENCINI-ITALY-ART-SCULPTURE-TURN-CENTURY-GOLFER-/1303
> 96817618#ht_500wt_921
>

Here's what the eBay seller said about Mr. Bencini. As I said in another
post, the two piano men I had were indeed different, and appeared to be hand
made:

..................
There is very little information available on Dino Bencini. He is still
alive and works from his studio in Florence, Italy. While some of Bencini's
figurines date back to the '70's (perhaps earlier), his figurines became most
well known in the '80s when musician Barry Manilow displayed his Piano Player
figurine on the album cover for Tryin' To Get The Feeling. Each Bencini
figurine is individually hand crafted and signed. Bencini's rare combination
of fantasy and humor finds expression in each of his sculpture. Art critics
say that "a piece of clay jumps to life in his hands". Each figure has a
personality that brings appreciation and smiles to the viewer. His figurines
have become very popular with collectors, but somewhat hard to find.
...................

--
Scooter

Scooter

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Jun 10, 2010, 12:25:16 PM6/10/10

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desertcactus <berr...@yahoo.ca> wrote:

That's okay. Your name is always in the headers if you forget to sign. :-)

--
Scooter

Reb

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Jun 10, 2010, 5:34:24 PM6/10/10

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Scooter <em...@invalid.com> wrote in
news:Xns9D9373562...@216.196.97.142:

> They are ceramic, and could be quite easily broken. I do think
> they're hand made. The two I had were obviously not cast from a mold
> as they were different in many details, limb placement, etc.
>
> --
> Scooter
>

I paid $60 for mine. found it in a gift shop in Petoskey, Michigan. it was
my favorite Manilow collectible until a friend knocked it off the shelf.
I've always wanted to buy another but won't pay $200 for one. I found the
store online but they don't have them listed anymore.

http://www.themoleholeonline.com/ourstore.html

mraf...@gmail.com

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Nov 7, 2016, 8:05:02 AM11/7/16

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Does anyone know where I can buy Dino Bencini's Sheriff? I had one that I bought my husband when he was a County Sheriff, and I just broke it accidently. I would love to find another one to replace it. Thank you.

Scooter

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Nov 7, 2016, 9:24:46 AM11/7/16

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mraf...@gmail.com wrote in

> Does anyone know where I can buy Dino Bencini's Sheriff? I had one
> that I bought my husband when he was a County Sheriff, and I just
> broke it accidently. I would love to find another one to replace it.
> Thank you.

Don't know if this is what you're looking for, but there's a listing on
ebay for 'Dino Bencini Italy Rare clay pottery Police Sheriff guard man 6"
figure' for $45.00.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/252580997643

Scooter

Suzan

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Nov 7, 2016, 12:04:04 PM11/7/16

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I saw this piano Bencini statue listed as well, using an upright piano...somehow it's just not the same!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DINO-BENCINI-PIANO-PLAYER-POTTERY-SCULPTURE-FIGURE-FIGURINE-ITALY-SIGNED-/122188014359?hash=item1c72f92317:g:OswAAOSwaB5XtIun

hdsn...@gmail.com

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Jan 28, 2017, 4:11:15 PM1/28/17

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Hi Scooter,
It was actually my understanding that a version of the piano player was commissioned for the album cover after someone maybe Barry, or maybe someone in his entourage spotted it. Which is why the guy on the album cover looks a wee bit more like Manilow. I wonder if Barry has that one?? I have the piano player myself, a lady golfer and a homely short squat lady with a basket of Italian bread .... Since Dino is still with us it would be awesome if he could shed light on this.