How To Put Too Fine A Point On It

There is no evidence in brochures or ads from the period of pink being a primary color for the original inlays prior to the 1967 relaunch.

The pink inlay examples that were made during the original period are all from northern California and were not actually part of the original product line. They were custom fitted by Karikson's son-in-law, J. Polkner, who had a small metal fabrication and electroplating business, PolKner LTD. Karikson-Co sold Polkner LTD pieces that were 90% completed and Polkner LTD did inlays as ordered by their generally more upscale clients.

Most of Polkner's colors were similar to Karikson's original colors but the names were different. This wasn't an issue of copyright, just creative preferences. Karikson-Co's names had various inspirations, PolKner LTD usually went with a nautical/beach theme. Some examples :


Karikson-Co..............................Polkner LTD

Blaze••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Sundown
Peacock•••••••••••••••••••••••••••Aqua Wave
Lemon Mist••••••••••••••••••••••••Chiffon Sail
Forest•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Green Seas
Cloud••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Beach Sand
Limelight•••••••••••••••••••••••••••Key Lime
Cinamon•••••••••••••••••••••••••••Port Light




The main color differences were Karikson-Co's black, brown, and gray ("Night", "Coffee", and "Silver"), and Polkner LTD's pink, terra cotta, blue, and light blue ("Flamingo", "Puerto", "Mediterranean," and "Polynesian").


(written 07/05/08)