Did you know . . . .
- That 'The Lawrence Welk Show' is one of only two shows that has been on television for more than fifty years. 'I Love Lucy' is the other show.
- Unlike the Lucy show, 'The Lawrence Welk Show' is still in production!
- The show has been on PBS television since 1987 and boasts 2.5 million watchers each week, as well as several Internet chat/mailing lists devoted to Welk.
Unlike many of us who might have a hard time authenticating our finds, all Dowdy has to do is call the source -- Margaret Heron, who was a personal assistant for Welk. Heron helped choose many of these items over the years and is still involved with the show as manager of syndication. Heron brings history to life for Dowdy as she can tell her if the found piece is authentic and the background behind it.
In 2001 Dowdy had a chance to share some of her collection in 'The Lawrence Welk Milestones and Memories', a calendar book. The PBS special of that same name is the third largest fund raiser for public television and the book was one of the promotional items given to viewers who help sponsor the station.
eBay has been Dowdy's main source in her quest of Welk Collectibles. Although some of her collection consists of items that were sold to the public, e.g. puzzles, books and spoons, the majority of the collectibles are promotional pieces. The type of thing that would be given to station managers that carried the Welk show back in the fifties and sixties.
Even though Dowdy has a fairly extensive collection, there are a few items still eluding her. She is still looking for the hard-to-find white spoon set. (The spoons were made in three colors--red, blue and white). And of course, as with all collectors, she has a "holy grail" -- her quest is the Lawrence Welk Accordian lamp!
More:
Picture Gallery: Dowdy's Collection
Online Auction Prices
