Hammacher Schlemmer Cover
The Hammacher Schlemmer catalog was released to nearly 5 million households across the United States featuring The Modern Christmas Tree™ on the cover of the magazine, web site, and the tree will be displayed in the window of their landmark New York store late this year.
About Modern Christmas Trees™
The Modern Christmas Tree was originally invented by engineer and designer Lawrence “Bud” Stoecker in the mid-1960’s. The contemporary holiday tree is made of concentric acrylic rings and decorated with chandelier crystals and ornaments. The tree hangs from the ceiling and is illuminated by a spotlight from underneath the tree, projecting shadows and reflections throughout the room.
Bud’s grandson Matt Bliss, who patented the design in 2012, carries on The Modern Christmas Tree™ and this Stoecker family tradition. Bud suffered from Alzheimer’s and sadly passed away a week before the patent was issued. Weeks later, members of the Stoecker family celebrated his life at an exhibition of his trees at the original Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California. The exhibit continues to be a part of Disney’s annual holiday festivities. Bliss is also a modern design and architecture enthusiast from Colorado. A portion of the proceeds is donated to the Colorado Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association in his Grandfather’s name.
“This is a dream come true for my Grandpa and his trees,” says Bliss. “Growing up with this tree, I knew it was beautiful and brilliant and now millions of people will get to see what I see and saw growing up. Now they can share the tradition with their family. I couldn’t be happier!”
The tree has also been photographed in a few of the most important mid century modern homes in the United States, including the Stahl House in Los Angleles, CA designed by Pierre Koenig and immortalized by the photographs of Julius Schulman. The list also includes the Sculptured House designed by Charles Deaton, later coined the Sleeper House, made famous by the movie Sleeper, directed and staring Woody Allen.
About Hammacher Schlemmer
Hammacher Schlemmer is the oldest American catalog founded in 1848. The company provides unique products that solve problems. Their Headquarters are based in Niles, Illinois and they have an annual catalog circulation exceeding 30 million. The company is owned by the heirs of J. Roderick MacArthur; the founder of the Bradford Exchange, who purchased Hammacher Schlemmer in 1980.
For more information contact:
matt@ModernChristmasTrees.com or 303-885-4153
www.ModernChristmasTrees.com