The HK House of Peers and Harmony Kingdom offered you the opportunity to win these two (2) prototypes of Ebony (TJDK) and Ivory (TJEL8). At the same time you would be assisting NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), a grass roots organization dedicated to the eradication of mental illnesses and to the improvement of the quality of life for all whose lives are affected by these diseases.
Ivory and Ebony Prototypes
Ebony and Ivory were carved by Master Carver Peter Calvesbert in 2008 to honor the U.S. Presidential elections. The pieces were released as fixed editions of 750 pieces each last June, just as the campaign was heating up. Although we now know who won the election, in the spirit of bi-partisanship we are offering the mascots of both parties in this auction!
 
Ebony and Ivory Prototypes
HK Secrets:
To honor the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, Master Carver Peter Calvesbert has carved the Democrat and Republican mascots, both popularized by 19th century editorial cartoonist Thomas Nast. Peter’s political animals – “Ebony” the donkey and “Ivory” the elephant - are stand-alone pieces, but the shape of their bases allows them to face off in head-to-head battle. |
Ebony HK Secrets:
At the time of carving, the Democrats were still undecided who should lead them into the election, so both Barack and Hillary get a mention in the donkey. However, the letter B is atop the letter H due to Obama’s lead. The inscriptions on the donkey lid mark the passing of Humphrey Lyttelton. A famous British jazz musician, he was also known as chairman of “I’m sorry I haven’t a clue”, a BBC series describing itself as “an antidote to panel shows” and simply the funniest thing on radio. It began in 1972 and has become an English institution. 50 "Ebony" from the 750 edition are a special seaside version, created for UK HOL The Clothes Rail. "Ebony" wears a saddle, a crab sits between his legs, and he wears a "Loopy Lady" headband in homage to Anita and Karen, proprietors of The Clothes Rail. |
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Ivory HK Secrets:
The election date of November 4 is inscribed on the elephant’s trunk. “Welland or Florida” refers to Peter’s trip to sunny Florida for the HOP “Pirates of the Kingdom” convention (rainy Welland is where he calls home). The number on the base is his Florida fishing license, reminding him of Dover Lake and the one that got away. At the time of carving, John McCain was the presumptive Republican nominee – thus his initials in the interior. |
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Ebony is the mascot of the Democratic Party, popularized by the 19th century editorial cartoonist Thomas Nast.
- This is a solid prototype.
- It does not have any of the references to the candidates or jazz musician Humphrey Lytteton that appears in the regular issue piece.
- The base is marked PROTOTYPE.
- There are no hallmarks or production symbols.
  
Ebony Prototype
Ivory is the mascot of the Republican Party.
- This is a solid prototype.
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It does not have the date of the election on the elephant's trunk, there is no "Welland or Florida," no fishing license number, and no reference to John McCain.
- The base is marked PROTOTYPE.
- There are no hallmarks or production symbols.
  
Ivory Prototype
Ebony Prototype Base |
Ivory Prototype Base |
The bases are marked PROTOTYPE.
Whether you display these prototypes "head to head" or take a more bi-partisan approach and display them side by side, they would make a great addition to your collection and commemorate a historic election! Your winning bid would also support the efforts of NAMI, in their dedication to the eradication of mental illnesses and to the improvement of the quality of life of all whose lives are affected by these diseases. So walk on over and place your bid!
This auction was held on
and ended February 15, 2009
raising $405.00 for NAMI
Harmony Kingdom Donkey & Elephant Prototypes
This eBay Auction was a charity auction sponsored by the HK House of Peers to benefit NAMI.
 NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness (major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorders) and their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI has become the nation's voice on mental illness, a national organization including NAMI organizations in every state and in over 1,100 local communities across the country who join together to meet the NAMI mission through advocacy, research, support, and education.
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