Spontoon Island
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First posted 22 September 2015
*  Update 9 June 2016 *
**  Update 27 July 2017  **
***  Update 7 July 2021  ***
Fireworks Stand
Local and imported fireworks
for Spontoon Island 1930s festive occasions

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"Lay on ground; light fuse; retire quickly."
(Traditional safety phrase printed on labels for common civilian firecrackers.)

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Fireworks Stand at Rain Island Naval Syndicate base, 1933
by Ken Fletcher - Larger size here (354 Kbytes)
"On Moon Island in the Spontoon Island Lagoon, this stand is fancier than
most. It is only open during fireworks seasons, at the edge of the Naval Base
of the R.I.N.S. (Rain Island Naval Syndicate). Beyond the moderate
 operating costs,the income goes to charities around the Spontoon Lagoon,
 and to some charities in the other islands of the Spontoon Archipelago.

"The staff are volunteers from the military forces of the RINS. Customers
are encouraged to walk over about 100 meters to a corner of the RINS
firing range, where they can set off their fireworks under supervision
 and teaching by RINS & local volunteers. With the assistance of
a Priestess and her helpers (including a Kami or two), the sound
and flash are muffled enough, if you are outside a range of about
50 meters. It is said that if you happen to be in an aircraft flying
overhead (and dodging skyrockets), the noise up above
is very much louder than one would expect.

"The staff here are having a quiet day (disregarding the muffled noises
 in the distance). They may be open for a minor holiday; maybe a
foreign one. Just before this moment, however, a possible customer
has disturbed their composure. Perhaps there has been a violation
of the unspoken customs of charity fireworks stands? Perhaps
Spontoon Island has limitations on which cousins can use which
fireworks? There is a noticed reason for disapproval, and
the staff are all thinking of the different options.
If really necessary, there is a Priestess one phone call
(and a short walk) away). However, they won't
be able to hear her arriving...."

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***  "Lei-on-ground" firecracker pack label - by Ken Fletcher  ***
Larger size here - (89.5 Kbytes)

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***  "AIR ACE" firecracker pack label - by Ken Fletcher  ***
Larger file here (92.6 Kbites)

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Fireworks seasons

In the 1930s on Spontoon Island, there was a thriving regional trade
 in importing and exporting fireworks. The local co-ops
distribute fireworks to the region of the Spontoon Archipelago
and to some of the other nations in the Pacific region.
There are also some small local fireworks factories.

Spontoon Island often has fireworks during local
celebrations: New Year's, May Day (Labor Day),
Proclamation Day (a Rain Island holiday), during
Speed Week (at limited times & locations), during Summer
 and Winter Solstices, and at Hoopy Jaloopy.

On Spontoon Island there are some locations and times
that are intended to be fireworks-free, to lower
the stress on some of the local population.
This population includes local wildlife and plants,
and the priestesses who are the protectors
of local ecology and ambient sounds.
See your local school or militia organization
for times and locations for fireworks.

Rain Island has some holidays celebrated with fireworks.
Proclamation Day is the anniversary of the founding
of the Rain Coast Republic, 12 June, 1885.
This holiday is also celebrated on Spontoon Island,
in support of the Moon Island naval base and
shareholders of the Rain Island Naval Syndicate.

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"Bloo-Foo" firecracker pack label, circa 1933 - by Ken Fletcher
Smaller size here (151 KBytes)

Here's a label from an imported small firecracker pack
manufactured by a Rain Island industrial co-op syndicate.
 
"The BLOO-FOO label features an edgy animation character,
 Baybee the Blue Fox, and an artist's interpretation
of 'Blueflicker', one of the named fox-fire kami
 of the islands. Older Rain Islanders would
expect happy fireworks to be the result
of such a meeting. (Mz. BlueFox is not expected
 to be a role-model in firecracker safety,
as seen in a couple of her public-service animations.)"

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***  "Liberty Hat" firecracker pack label - by Ken Fletcher  ***
Larger file here - ( 63.4 Kbytes)

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*  "Chain-Poppin LIBERATOR" firecracker pack label (Circa 1939)  *
Larger file here (256-color, 1.3 MBytes)
Smaller file here (16 million color, 450 KBytes)
Lower color-resolution (256) files here (338 KB) & here (151 KB)
Idea by Reese Dorrycott - http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kenoscope/
Art by Briano (used with permission) - Color & text by Ken Fletcher

"Mildendo Island, in the Spontoon Archipelago, is more of a
'Buyer & Trader Beware' sort of marketplace. That includes
their very traditional & very scary fireworks factories.
They do have some astounding firecracker brands & labels.
This label may refer to current events in Kuo Han during 1939.
This is part of a batch special-ordered by (and exported to) a
distributor in Texas (a region of the United States)
via export co-ops and shipped from Spontoon Island."



Mildendo Island fireworks promotion (circa 1920)
(Careless kids with fireworks)
**  Concept & art (likely) by Palmer Cox (circa 1885?)  **
Larger file here (931 KBytes)
Ad text modified by Ken Fletcher - original image in Public Domain.
The original *may* have been a reprint of a cartoon, on something like a postcard,
with advertising text added to the art, and distributed for free (or at very low cost?)
 to potential retail dealers or customers. The original ad was for a first-aid salve.
 The collectors may have displayed the cards on walls in homes or shops,
or saved them in albums or scrapbooks.

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*  "Plutocrat Crackers!" firecracker pack label, circa 1931  *
by Ken Fletcher
Smaller file here - (151 KBytes)
"Firecrackers from a local Spontoon co-op factory.
MayDay is one of the more political of the Spontoon Island
holidays. The causes of the world-wide Great Depression
were much discussed in the villages' democracy sub-committees.
This label may also display the Spontoonie sense of irony."

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"Lars Orwenson - Dock Worker" (Spontoon Island Lagoon)
by Jerry Collins - inks & tones by Ken Fletcher
Larger file here - (1.9 MBytes)
(Uploaded 21 February 2018)

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