The HK House of Peers and Harmony Kingdom offered you the opportunity to win a rare prototype of the 2008 Family Ties (TJMO2). 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.
 

Family Ties Prototype
 

Family Ties was carved by Master Carver Peter Calvesbert in 2007. It was released in 2008 in an edition of 500. This small Treasure Jest was produced in England.
 

Family Ties HK Secrets: While Master Carver Peter Calvesbert has never seen a Proboscis Monkey (after all, they are only found on the island of Borneo), he had little difficulty capturing its essence, due to its prominent feature - a large, fleshy nose that droops downward over its chin. But its second most noticeable trait – its brightly colored genitalia – posed a bit of a dilemma. The interior of this box figurine shows a “handsome” big nosed man holding a sign that says “Big noses are sexy”. Inscriptions include the monkey’s Latin name (Nasalis Larvatus) and “I love swimming” as Proboscis are known for their swimming ability.

 
Although Peter has never personally seen a proboscis monkey in their native habitat (they're native to Borneo!) but, he had no problem carving this group of three monkeys. It might be that the monkey's most prominent feature reminded him of a certain British artist! The monkey's second most prominent feature—brightly colored genitalia—posed a somewhat delicate problem. HK solved this problem by issuing a mold variation of 50 pieces that had a leaf strategically placed over a very private area.
 

Family Ties Prototype

Family Ties Prototype Top
 

This Family Ties is the prototype of the regular version.

• This prototype is a solid piece, with the usual hallmarks. Because it is solid, it does not include the interior carving or inscriptions.
• It does not include Pete's signature mouse. On the production piece the mouse is located behind the head of the monkey facing outward; it does not appear on this prototype.
• The base is marked PROBISCIS MONKEY PROTOTYPE.

Family Ties Prototype Base
 

This piece would make a great addition to your collection and 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 place your bid now.
 

This auction was held on

and ended Sunday, October 4, 2009
raising $258.79 for NAMI
 

Harmony Kingdom Family Ties Solid Prototype

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.
 

Thank You!