Who sells Universal Statuary Corporation products?

Answer 1

Universal statuary went out of existence in 1989 when Jack and Leo sold their interests to a group of investors from Milwaukee. They transformed the product quality to an unrecognizable form and undsireable marketability. Vendors and suppliers could not continue with them, so any surviving patterns are now being processed in Mexico by Artline.The Lucchessi's took the best sellers of Universal and made them in smaller versions (Chris Pardell sculptor) and created Castagna of italy. Also not in existence since the brother's deaths a few years ago.I get many requests from people who own old statues with numbers etched in, asking value for them. What price is sentimentality? I loved the years I worked there and the the one of a kind quality goals set by Universal Craftsmenship.The company and line were a direct reflection of the Lucchessi's love of the Arts.

Universal statuary went out of existence in 1989 when Jack and Leo sold their interests to a group of investors from Milwaukee. They transformed the product quality to an unrecognizable form and undsireable marketability. Vendors and suppliers could not continue with them, so any surviving patterns are now being processed in Mexico by Artline.The Lucchessi's took the best sellers of Universal and made them in smaller versions (Chris Pardell sculptor) and created Castagna of italy. Also not in existence since the brother's deaths a few years ago.I get many requests from people who own old statues with numbers etched in, asking value for them. What price is sentimentality? I loved the years I worked there and the the one of a kind quality goals set by Universal Craftsmenship.The company and line were a direct reflection of the Lucchessi's love of the Arts.

I would like to add to this answer....

Universal Statuary did not go out of existence, it may have been purchased by investors from Milwaukee in 1989, but in 1992 was purchased by Paul Brueggemeier who ran the business unitl 2002. He kept all production in the United States until 2001. However it became to expensive to manufacture products in the United States, which is why production was moved to Mexico. Mr. Brueggemeier employed the finest artists to keep all statues looking original and authenticate, he kept many of the same concepts as the Lucchesi family. He also had contracts with names like Disney and Precious Moments. He kept the factory in Chicago IL until 1998 when he moved it into Niles for tax purposes. He also creadted another line in association with universal statuary called Crystal glass which made glass products such as vases and candle holders.

Another Addition.

After selling Universal, Leo Lucchesi retired. Jack Lucchesi formed a separate company called Castagna in partnership with an Italian owned company FARMET in Bagni di Lucca, near the Lucchesi's original family home, and where many of Universal Statuary's immigrant workers originally came from. Chris Pardell, who apprenticed under the Lucchesi's at Universal for 5 years, worked free lance with Jack Lucchesi to create most of Castagna's product line.

In addition, Farmet was earlier sold many older discontinued metal rotational casting molds from Universals earlier years, which Farmet continued to manufacture for the European market... and, after Jack's noncompete clause was up, Castagna designed many newer rotationally molded figurines manufactured under the Castagna name.

Many Universal Designs were pirated in latex molds in Mexico and are sold in border towns garishly painted. They can usually be discerned by being cast in plaster.