DECEMBER HOM Early Hacienda Tray Based Church

Post by **Tom Hull** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 10:44 pm

This is one of the earliest of the Hacienda types and is on a rare Tray base platform. This belongs to the same time frame as the Mickey Mouse houses likely no later than 1933. Clearly we can see that the Japanese were indeed attempting to capture the architecture of the American Southwest which had become popular in this country as an architectural style by the late 1920's. So the term Hacienda is indeed appropriate. This also shows the bright Fiesta colors begins here.

Post by **Tom Hull** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 10:51 pm

This shows a close up of the little priest that seems to be pottery or compo. The bare tree is a bit unusual and is only very occasionally found. Most often on tray based houses. So called because the base is NOT a flat piece of cardboard but has two pieces of cardboard with an edge that makes it like a tray. Sort of. Notice the brick work on the orange background. This is to indicate an adobe brick pattern and the orange is where the plaster (white) has fallen off which was so often seen on the adobe church of the American Southwest. Notice further that the upper circular window is on a cardboard projection and not part of the building. More on that in the last picture.

: HACIENDA CHURCH FLAT BASE EARLY 007.JPG (280.88 KiB) Viewed 29999 times

Post by **Tom Hull** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 11:00 pm

This shows the building lighted. This is the strangest part of the whole building! There was originally NO window that would show through the light box part of the house. The central part of the church with the little rose window does NOT communicate with the house and is simple made like a theatre flat. Someone dug a hole behind the entrance and put cellophane in the entrance many years ago which is the only light available yet it has a very ordinary hole in the back for a light. Very strange. Obviously a very experimental piece not yet ready for market. I have only seen this one. Tom

: HACIENDA CHURCH FLAT BASE EARLY 012.JPG (933.35 KiB) Viewed 29999 times

Post by **Antoinette** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:42 am

Tom, this is a wonderful piece; thank you for sharing! These "hacienda"-style buildings are little works of art, and your keen eye and gift for explaining the details bring that home to us. I'm glad you've taken them up with such affection; their stories deserve to be told.

Post by **paulrace** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 3:26 pm

Love the padre and the dead tree! I may not have been paying attention - were those the windows that were on it when you got it?

Any sign that the tree may have had lichen or something glued to it at one time?

Post by **Janet** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 9:40 pm

Tom, as always you bring a great house, excellent history and commentary. This one is special! Merry Christmas to all!

Post by **maria** » Tue Dec 25, 2012 1:25 am

The padre IS fab!

Post by **Tom Hull** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 11:39 pm

Yes Paul the paper windows were all Original as is the tree. NO lichen and I have seen this type of tree before. The only NON original window is the cellophane that was put in the open portico doorway. There was originally no way for light to shine out as it was built and someone took advantage of the open door put cellophane in it and punched an opening behind it. Tom

Post by **Tom Hull** » Tue Mar 04, 2014 12:17 am

Thought I would add some pictures after visiting with Kathleen McLaughlin just so things are clear. The gothic arch in front is like a flat. Also the hole in the back for light hand no outlet until someone punched one through. Lots of different details in this one that were repeated in later buildings.