Not to be confused with popular renderings of Donn Beach, this is a mug modeled after Don Blanding, who also had a small pencil thin mustache, a wide-brimmed hat, and frequently wore flower leis. The mug shows Blanding reading from a copy of his famous book, Vagabond's House.

Don Blanding (1894-1957) was one of they key figures of the Pre-Tiki Movement. He was an American poet, sometimes described as the "poet laureate of Hawaii." He was also a journalist, cartoonist, author and speaker. His poetry, particularly Vagabond's House and Drifter's Gold, had a huge impact on fueling the fervor for all things Hawaiian and tropical among mainland Americans. From 1938 to 1942, Blanding designed Hawaiian themed tableware for Vernon Kilns, near Los Angeles, California. The patterns he designed are Aquarium, Coral Reef, Delight, Ecstasy, Glamour, Hawaii, Hawaiian Flowers, Hilo, Honolulu, and Lei Lani. Blanding also helped establish May 1st as "Lei Day" in Hawaii.

This Tiki Caliente 14 Don Blanding mug was designed by Doug Horne with concept by Rory Snyder and then sculpted and manufactured by Eekum Bookum. It was an edition of 250.

"Vagabond's House" on front with book being read. "Don Blanding" on spine of large book forming base. Back reads: "Tiki 14 Caliente Palm Springs Lei Day 1927". Bottom reads: "JM 142 USA Eekum Bookum Horne Snyder" with number in edition.

Released at Tiki Caliente 14, May 4th-7th, 2023, at The Caliente Tropics, Palm Springs, California, United States.