Think Big! (KLM Bird House Replica)

The KLM houses are porcelain presents to travelers a board KLM flights in Business and Royal Class. They have been presented over a long period and thus have become collector items. There are 93 different types which are numbered 1 - 93.

There is Dutch Genever, 35% alcohol, in the houses, which are in fact bottles with a cork and seal on top. Sometimes the genever has been drunk but mostly the empty bottles were empty all along. On flights to some countries with alcohol restrictions empty houses are presented. On some of the houses a sticker explains this by referring to customs regulations. (Empty due to custom regulations on this flight) Sometimes there is a cork and seal and sometimes there isn't (and never was) on the empty bottles.

KLM started issuing these miniature bottles in 1952. Air companies were not allowed to give presents to their customers because of unfair competition. So, KLM had some Blue Delft houses made, and filled them with genever. Then, of course, their competitors complained "KLM is giving presents to their customers". The KLM said "May we decide how we serve our drinks? Is their a law which tells me drinks have to be served in a glass?"... and so it all started. ( source: http://www.klm-huisjes.nl/history/ )

The original KLM collector houses are approx 8 cm high and this very original upscaled Bird House replica KLM house that I spotted is approx 25 cm high. Inquiries at www.museumshopdenhaag.nl for details, it costs € 44,95.


I want it, I want it, I want it :))