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Woman Treasures Norman Rockwell Collection

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By LAURA CONE

The Sun

Published: January 28, 2009

Marge Herrmann lives in Sun City Center, a picture-perfect community that reminds her of her favorite collections of Norman Rockwell plates -- without the snow, of course.

Herrmann said she started her collection of Norman Rockwell plates 30 years ago. She quotes the American artist who once wrote, "I paint life as I would like it to be."

Marge and her husband, Richard, moved to Sun City Center almost seven years ago from Centralia, Ill.

Marge has the entire collection from the Christmas Plate Collection, including her favorite, the 1988 pate entitled "Santa Claus." The plate is based on an original 1955 Norman Rockwell painting which was commissioned as an advertisement for the Kellogg Company.

"It is one of the happiest Santas he created, and is one of Norman Rockwell's great accomplishments using his ability to make people feel good," Marge said. "Santa's cheeks are red, perhaps from the cold, brisk air. His mouth is open as if he is belting out his favorite Christmas carol and his jolly expression reminds us of the spirit of Christmas days gone by."

Marge, who spoke recently to the P.E.O. group in Sun City Center about her collection, said Rockwell captured, with the painting, a world of hope, optimism and good spirit.

"Toward the end of the 1920s, Norman had difficulty thinking of new ideas and so he painted what he called topical magazine covers with scenes of World War I, Lindbergh's flight in 1927 and the Stock Market Crash of 1929," Marge said, reading from her speech.

Throughout Rockwell's career, he painted more than 300 Saturday Evening Post covers, children's books, calendars and advertisements.

"The twenties ended an era of extravagance, sort of like the one we had not long ago," Marge said. "Then there was the big crash, but then, the nation picked itself up again and there were some great years. Norman said, 'Those were the days when America believed in itself. I was happy to be painting it.' If we were alive today, he would probably describe his feelings of America with the same words."

In addition to the nostalgic Christmas collection, Marge has collected and given away as gifts other Rockwell plates. Other plate collections she has had include the "Four Seasons," the "Four Freedoms" and the April Fool plates.

Richard, who worked for Illinois Bell Telephone Company as a district construction engineering manager, also has a fascination and love for anything Norman Rockwell.

Richard showed off his reproduction of a 1948 painting, "The Lineman," which hangs in their home. The painting shows the image of a telephone lineman and reminds him of his time with Illinois Bell.

"I like anything about Norman Rockwell," Richard said.

He took out the April Fool plate collection, which displays Rockwell's sense of humor.

"Everytime you look at it you see something wrong with it," he said. "There is a dog under a chair with antlers. Grandma is holding a wrench in her hand playing cards."

Marge said they moved to Sun City Center for the climate, but stayed because of the many activities and the friendliness of the people. Members of United Community Church in Sun City Center, they have three grown children: Susan, Stephen and Alan as well as seven grandchildren.

In addition to their plate collection, they also collect the White House Historical Society's White House ornaments.

Richard is a member of the Men's Club of Sun City Center. He spent five years building a classic 1929 Mercedes car from a kit. He has driven the car in weddings and parades.

"We just enjoy our retirement," he said. "We like the pool a lot. If we were back in Illinois, we'd be sitting around getting old."

Editor Laura Cone may be reached at lcone@mediageneral.com.

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