On 6 June 1995, two friends in Oregon—John Baur and Mark Summers—were playing a friendly game of racquetball. Ouch! Pain! "Aaarrrgghh!!!" shouts one of them. And thus was born "Talk Like a Pirate Day." The friends decided to formalize the commemoration, however, 6 June was unsuitable as it was the anniversary of D-Day, the Landing at Normandy. Mark suggested they set the date for 19 September—his ex-wife's birthday.
The men contacted the Miami Herald humor columnist, Dave Barry, who wrote about (thus promoting) the novel occasion. Since then, people (of a certain disposition) have taken to the event—celebrating the day in their own specific ways (though the phrase "Aaarrrgghh!!!" is usually a part of the fun).
The cast iron bookends, shown above, show a ship at full-sail. Perhaps it is a pirate ship. Click on the photo above to learn more about them.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.