Walter Rylander, Viquesney's friend and business partner.
Photo supplied by Chris Usrey,
scanned by Heather Stanley,
Director of the Rylaner Theatre, Americus, Georgia.
Photo supplied by Chris Usrey,
scanned by Heather Stanley,
Director of the Rylaner Theatre, Americus, Georgia.
COPIES OF VIQUESNEY DOUGHBOYS BY WALTER RYLANDER
Perhaps due to financial difficulties resulting from the short but sharp Financial Panic of 1920 - 1921, or because he was expecting to be sued by the owner of American Art Bronze Foundry for copyright infringement, in January, 1922, Viquesney's American Doughboy Studio was sold to and operated by his friend and business partner in Americus, Georgia, Walter Rylander. For the next four years, Rylander owned all rights to the Doughboy and inventory of the company. Toward the end of his tenure, however, Rylander began to put his own name on the copyright plate of the statue, and removed the title, "The Spirit of the American Doughboy". Viquesney in the meantime had made a fortune with his "Imp-O-Luck" good luck charm, and was subsequently able to buy back his Doughboy company from Rylander in January, 1926. Until his death twenty years later, Viquesney never let his Doughboy company fall out of his possession and control again.
There are four known Viquesney Doughboy statues that bear Walter Rylander's copyright mark. Since they were made from Viquesney's original molds and are identical in every respect to the artist's signed originals, they are included as valid locations on this website. Click the link buttons below for more information.
There are four known Viquesney Doughboy statues that bear Walter Rylander's copyright mark. Since they were made from Viquesney's original molds and are identical in every respect to the artist's signed originals, they are included as valid locations on this website. Click the link buttons below for more information.
