crescent moon knick knack shelf

[Dave Lee]

I hope someone can help me here. I'm looking for a pattern/plans for an old design. I'm talking 50 years old, at least. It's for a knick knack shelf, shaped like a crescent moon, with a set of stairs mounted to it. The idea, is to place your knick knacks on the steps. I've googled this every way I can think of. I've found antique ones, going for anywhere from $50 to $100 but, I don't want to buy one, I want to make one. From what I've been able to find out, these were a school shop project from the 50's? Which would explain why I saw so many of them when I was a kid. The problem now is, all of the people who had them, have passed on. They were usually, stained pretty dark. Some people called them mahagony but, you could tell that the moon was just plain old plywood. Thanks in advance.

Dave

[wood-n-things]

If you share a link to one of your pics I bet one of the designers can come up with a solution for you. If at all possible not a link to a commercial site where they sell the item though. I remember seeing those when I was growing up as well.

[wood-n-things]

I was able to find out the pattern is called "Stairway To The stars" designed by A. Neely Hall. I'm still trying to find a copy of the pattern.

here is an interesting article about your project.
A Lady and a Jig Saw

You could contact these folks and ask if they can tell if they have the book that contains the pattern you are looking for.

http://www.abebooks.com/book-search/.../hall-a-neely/

[Wood Dog]

Dave I have these on my porch, they came from my parents house. I remember my Mom had them hanging in the parlor many years ago. Maybe you can make a pattern from my photo if its the ones you are looking for, or one of the pattern makers could do it for you? I painted them white, and as you said they were stained dark and made out of plywood.
Funny thing I remember seeing the half moon hanging in Norm Abrams wood shop while watching one of his TV shows. Guess they were popular way back when.
IMG_5916 (Small).JPG

[Dave Lee]

Thank you, to Mike and Wood Dog.

Mike, I really enjoyed that story of the "Lady And Her Jigsaw."and the name of the piece! I googled "Stairway To The Stars", and found out that it was a song by Glenn Miller. Also, I have a bunch of "Handy Boy" books from A. Neely Hall, that belonged to my father. They were from the 1920's so, they're probably, too early. I'll have to go through them.

Wood Dog, That's a great picture! It seems like there were a lot of variations and personal touches applied to this design.

I actually, found a version of this pattern for sale from "Berry Basket." The moon has a face cut into it, though and seems smaller.

Here a link to an antique one for sale.
Mahogany Plywood Moon Crescent Shape Knick Knack Shelf

Thanks again, for all your help. Looks like this is going to be a fun, safari. I'd like to see more variations of this classic piece.

Dave

[wood-n-things]

I'm pleased to help. It was fun. I too found the song connection to be fun. I hope you are able to complete one and share some pics of your rendition.

[Catlyn]

I used to see this moon and stars shelf in one of my great aunt and uncle's house many years when I was a kid.
When I get my scroll saw I'll either be looking for a pattern or coming up with my own.

Edited to add: A link below.......
This link is a search page.....popular mechanics site should be 3rd link down....
click that link and on popular mechanics site is an old type page from a magazine with a drawing of that shelf......it shows the moon and stairs leading to the star.
It wouldn't let me copy and paste it and I might not be supposed to that here anyway. You are correct please do not share copyrighted material on the forum.
You could do your own pattern.
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=hts&oq=&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS398US399&q=Stairway+to+the+Stars +what-not+shelf

Here's another idea.....how about parts for doll houses? You can get stairways and balconies. I bet they would be suitable for this moon shelf. I was looking at some on the net...they are a bit expensive but you can get an idea for a stairway and balcony.

[Catlyn]

I hope someone can help me here. I'm looking for a pattern/plans for an old design. I'm talking 50 years old, at least. It's for a knick knack shelf, shaped like a crescent moon, with a set of stairs mounted to it. The idea, is to place your knick knacks on the steps. I've googled this every way I can think of. I've found antique ones, going for anywhere from $50 to $100 but, I don't want to buy one, I want to make one. From what I've been able to find out, these were a school shop project from the 50's? Which would explain why I saw so many of them when I was a kid. The problem now is, all of the people who had them, have passed on. They were usually, stained pretty dark. Some people called them mahagony but, you could tell that the moon was just plain old plywood. Thanks in advance.

Dave

Dave, I'm enclosing 2 pics of the shelf I told you a cousin is going to give to me. My uncle made it years ago,. Probably 50 years ago, as I'm 58 and I remember this as a child. See if this is what you are looking for.
I can see some changes I would make to the design to modernize it a little if I make one.

[Dave Lee]

It's just amazing, how many variations have been made of this piece. The one you show, Catlyn, has a much more closed moon, than others I've seen. I like the larger radius, like on Wood Dog's picture however, I like a longer staircase. I did see that Popular Mechanics add but, couldn't make out the details too well. I guess, I'm just going to have to sit down at the drawing board and make my own rendition. First, I've got to go up in the attic and drag it down here. I'm still using Amish CAD.

Dave

[Oges]

There is a nice example on this page, the steps look big enough to hold 'knick knacks' too
Ranger 911: Christmas in July