In the late 1960s, a fictional character named Robert Chessick found himself entangled in a dizzying espionage adventure involving advanced laser technology and its sinister implications. Chessick, portrayed as the everyman, was pursued relentlessly by both FBI and Soviet agents, leading him through a whirlwind of confusion as he sought refuge in the murky corners of San Francisco and ultimately, Alaska.
The curious twist in this spy thriller, titled “The Billiken Courier” by Ted C. Lewellen, unveiled a luck-bringing charm that became a humorous cornerstone of the storyline— the billiken. While the narrative itself is whimsical and pulpy, the history of billikens stretches far beyond mere fiction, resonating deeply within Alaskan culture.
In understanding the origins of the billiken, we turn to the early 20th century. The modern day concept began with a short story, “While Billiken Slept,” written by Sara Hamilton Birchall, which first appeared in Canada West magazine in May 1907. Birchall’s collaboration with artist Florence Pretz birthed illustrations of a charming little creature, an odd fairy-like figure.
The term “billiken” actually derived from Bliss Carman’s poem, “Mr. Moon: A Song of the Little People,” published in 1896. With whimsical verses naming various impish creatures including the elusive Billiken, the poetic creation laid the groundwork for the public fascination that would follow in Birchall’s tales.
By mid-century, billikens had transformed from whimsical characters in literature to sought-after good luck charms, particularly among Alaska Natives and tourists.
Billikens captured public imagination from 1909 to 1912, during which time they surged into mainstream culture. Advertising around the billiken phenomena advertised it as the “God of Good Luck,” and merchandise proliferated—from doll figures to novelty items. This cultural trend highlighted a burgeoning consumerism, as billikens adorned countless objects and captivated the hearts of many.
The surge faded as quickly as it appeared, leaving the billiken largely forgotten by the mid-20th century in the lower 48 states, but intriguingly, its legacy continued to thrive in Alaska.
It was suggested that around 1909 or 1910, an Alaska Native artisan adapted the billiken, possibly inspired by a model acquired during the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle. One prominent figure among the artists was Iñupiaq master carver “Happy Jack” Angokwazhuk, whose ivory billikens earned praise and attention.
While the craze waned in the lower states, a revival of the billiken took hold in Alaska during the post-World War II era—a boom driven by military buildup and a burgeoning tourism industry. With the advent of easier access to Alaska through air travel and the construction of the Alaska Highway, new visitors encountered billikens crafted by local artisans, frequently accompanied by stories of their good luck properties.
Merchandising flourished, as shops marketed billikens alongside legends that suggested they were traditional tokens offering blessings. The paper accompanying these charms frequently hinted that rubbing the billiken’s belly could skew fortune in one’s favor.
In a notable instance, South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu was gifted a billiken during a stop in Fairbanks in April 1973, demonstrating the charm’s symbolic importance even beyond Alaskan borders.
Despite its brief moments of glory in the 1970s, the billiken’s popularity ebbed once again, and many businesses named after the charming figures faded into memory.
By the late 20th century, figures like Pretz saw their creations fall victim to commercialization, a reality that frustrated her even as it took root in Alaska.
While the wave of billiken enthusiasm officially crested in the 1960s and began to recede, remnants of their storied past continue to inhabit souvenir shops and the dusty corners of homes throughout Alaska and beyond.
Today, the billiken stands as a testament to the intricate tapestry of cultural history, from its beginnings in literary fiction to its adoption in the far north, ultimately weaving itself into the fabric of Alaskan identity.
The enduring legacy of the billiken serves as a reminder of both the power of charm in storytelling and the fascinating interactions between culture, commerce, and art in the ever-evolving narrative of Alaska’s history.
image source from：https://www.adn.com/alaska-life/2025/06/15/billikens-the-grinning-pot-bellied-good-luck-charm-that-dominated-midcentury-alaska/
