The Unemployed Philosophers Guild
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The Unemployed Philosophers Guild is a novelty gift company founded in 1989, and based in Brooklyn, NY.[1][2][3]
History[edit]
The Unemployed Philosophers Guild was founded by brothers Stephan and David Shaw whose first creations were baked clay pins of famous philosophers and other historical figures.[4] They now design and manufacture various novelty gifts featuring philosophers, artists, and pop-culture figures, including Little Thinker dolls,[5] Secular Saint Candles™[6][7] Magnetic Personality finger puppets, and Freudian Slippers[8] and pillows.[9]
The Unemployed Philosophers Guild has developed licensed products for Dr. Who, DC Comics,[10] Star Trek,[11] Bob Ross,[12] and various others. They are exhibitors each year at the NY NOW trade show, and previously the New York Comic Con.
Controversies[edit]
In 2010 Rajan Zed, a Hindu chaplain based in Nevada, issued the Philosophers Guild a statement voicing disapproval of the shop's Shiva and Ganesh puppets.[13][14] The complaint was raised again in 2018, prompting the Field Museum in Chicago to remove the products from their shelves.[15][16]
In 2011 The University of Tennessee bookstore in Knoxville removed the Philosophers Guild product Obama “Disappoint-mints” from their shelves at the urging of then Democratic congressman Joe Armstrong.[17][18]
In 2022 the London Art Gallery removed various Philosophers Guild products relating to Vincent Van Gogh from its gift shop after concern that they may be making light of mental illness.[19][20]
References[edit]
- ↑ Revkin, Andrew C. (2006-01-10). "On the Bright Side, Coffee Will Never Get Cold". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ↑ McPherson, Edward (2004-10-10). "The Remix; Thoughtful Gifts". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ↑ "Kamala Koozies? Ruth Bader Ginsburg still rules the world of political kitsch, but who's next?". NBC News. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ↑ Sengupta, Somini (1996-11-17). ". . . While Men Of Philosophy Market Pillows". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ↑ Readhead, Harry (2014-08-09). "Bye, Barbie. Hello female LEGO paleontologist as a girl's favourite new toy". Metro. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ↑ "SECULAR SAINT Trademark of Unemployed Philosophers Inc.. Serial Number: 86789505 :: Trademark Elite Trademarks". www.trademarkelite.com. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ↑ "Secular saints, folk saints and plain old celebrities". Religion News Service. 2019-01-31. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ↑ "Sometimes a Gift Is Just a Gift — or Is It?". The Forward. 2003-01-24. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ↑ "Pheromones, Live Snails, and 14 Other Weird Things You Can Buy on Amazon". www.vice.com. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
- ↑ "The Unemployed Philosophers Guild DC Comics: Magnetic Personalities Plush Finger Puppet & Fridge Magnet – Wonder Woman | ExperienceTheWonder.com". Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ↑ "Stellar Star Trek Gifts to Add to Your Holiday Cart". Star Trek. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ↑ "Holiday gift guide: Go artsy at Tampa Bay's many museum stores". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ↑ "DUMBO puppets irk Hindus". New York Post. 2010-03-04. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ↑ Carlson, Jen (2010-03-04). "Brooklyn Puppets Offend Nevada Hindu Group". Gothamist. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ↑ "Field Museum halts sale of 'insensitive' Hindu deity doll". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ↑ •. "Field Museum Stops Selling Doll Depicting Hindu God". NBC Chicago. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ↑ Starnes, Todd (2015-03-26). "Satirical Mints Poking Fun at President Obama Yanked From Tennessee Bookstore". Fox News. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ↑ Goldberg, Jeffrey (2011-08-04). "A Bit Too Sensitive, Perhaps". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- ↑ "Vincent van Gogh", Art, Literature and Culture from a Marxist Perspective, Palgrave Macmillan, 2015, doi:10.1057/9781137526618.0010, ISBN 9781137526618, retrieved 2022-06-29
- ↑ "'Mental illness is not a joke': London gallery under fire for Van Gogh gifts". the Guardian. 2022-02-13. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
External links[edit]
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