Vintage Fashion, Mid-Century Modern, Collectibles, and Everything in Between
Category Archives: Vintage Christmas Collecting Series
About the Vintage Christmas Collecting Series: This six-part series of blog posts and pictures focuses on vintage and mid-mod Christmas collectibles from the late 1940s-1960s, giving you the insights on starting a collection with tips on prices and where to find these treasures as well as tips for adding to your collection and scoring the rare and hard-to-find pieces. Both new and seasoned collectors will learn new things so they can enjoy collecting vintage Christmas items year-round.
Learn how your passion for mid-century modern can be turned into a hobby with the right knowledge and tools. This Kitschmas 101: The Best Tips to Collecting Mid-Century Christmas guide will teach you how to get started collecting vintage, kitschy holiday decor.
It’s that time of year again! The holidays are upon us and you know what that means… it’s time to dust off your collection of kitschmas figurines! For the uninitiated, kitschmas figurines are those adorable little statues or trinkets that depict festive scenes or characters.
They’re often made of ceramic or plastic, and they’re just begging to be collected! If you’re new to the world of collecting kitschmas figurines, don’t worry – this guide will teach you everything you need to know.
Kitschmas Figurines
Yasmina Greco and her Kitschmas Collectibles
The first thing you need to know about collecting vintage kitschmas figurines is that there is no wrong way to do it. Items from the 1950s-1960s typically fall into the vintage kitschmas category.
Whether you collect a specific type of figurine (e.g. only snowmen, shiny brite ornaments, tinsel trees, shopper girls, Santa’s, pixie elves, or angels), or you just buy whatever catches your eye, it’s all up to you! There are, however, a few tips and tricks that all collectors should keep in mind.
Attention, coffee lovers and collectors! Prepare to embark on a thrilling adventure as we delve into the world of Starbucks City Coffee Mugs with “Cashing in on Coffee: Prices Soar for Starbucks Coffee Mugs.” This global phenomenon has coffee enthusiasts and collectors buzzing with excitement. Join us as we unravel the secrets behind these alluring mugs and unveil how they’ve transformed into a must-have treasure for Starbucks fans across the globe.
The first City collection was introduced in 1995 and was the ‘Icon Series’ followed by the ‘Collage Series’ and then the ‘Skyline Series’. Now there is the jumbo-sized ‘City Mugs Series’.
At the time of writing this article, my research uncovered a 2010 auction where a rare 1994 Starbucks City Mug from Minneapolis St. Paul sold for a staggering $1,500. There are also whispers of a prior sale fetching $2,000. In 2004, a woman splurged over $1,000 to acquire a Starbucks City Mug. In 2009, an eBay auction saw a 1994 New Orleans 20 oz. mug, featuring a Bourbon Street sign, sell for more than $528.00. Another auction saw the same city’s mug go for over $800! Presently, there’s a 1994 New Orleans Starbucks City Mug listed on eBay with a price tag of $645.00.
Shop Coffee Time Collection
The initial rendition of the Starbucks Coffee Istanbul mug is quite a rare find and boasts a fascinating design featuring the Evil Eye, a symbol prevalent in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries. Currently, there’s an Istanbul mug listed on eBay for a cool $499.00! Another intriguing item is the Starbucks Barcelona 1994 Series Prototype City Mug, also available on eBay for $499.00. What makes this particular Barcelona mug so sought-after is its rarity as a 14oz. prototype, deviating from the standard 16oz. size, and its unique blank bottom.
The Allure of Starbucks City Coffee Mugs Starbucks City Coffee Mugs are not just your ordinary coffee cups. These limited-edition collectibles showcase beautiful designs inspired by iconic landmarks and vibrant cityscapes from around the world. Each mug is a piece of art, capturing the essence of a city and its unique charm. From the bustling streets of New York City to the serene landscapes of Kyoto, these mugs offer a chance to explore different cultures and bring a piece of the world to your morning coffee routine.
The Thrill of the Chase: One of the most exhilarating aspects of collecting Starbucks City Coffee Mugs is the thrill of the chase. As new designs are released periodically, collectors must be quick to get their hands on these limited-edition treasures. The excitement of hunting down a particular mug or completing a series becomes an addictive pursuit, making each addition to your collection a rewarding experience.
The Joy of Discovery: Another exhilarating part of collecting Starbucks City Coffee Mugs is the joy of discovering hidden gems. Some mugs may be rarer than others, making the hunt even more thrilling. Imagine stumbling upon a long-sought-after design or finding a rare, discontinued mug at a local thrift store – the feeling of triumph is simply unbeatable! Plus, with the ever-growing popularity of the Starbucks City Coffee Mug series, you never know when a new favorite design will be unveiled.
The Community Connection: Collecting Starbucks City Coffee Mugs is not just about the mugs themselves but also about connecting with fellow enthusiasts. Sharing your collection on social media, joining online forums, and participating in swap events are all fantastic ways to bond with other collectors. You’ll find a supportive, passionate community that shares your love for these captivating coffee cups, making your collecting journey even more enjoyable.
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If you have been collecting the Starbucks City Mugs your collection at auction can net you some amazingly high dollars! Right now on eBay there is a listing for ‘48 Starbucks Skyline Series City Mugs Made in 2000’ and the current price is $10,000 and includes all these mugs: Alaska, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Calgary w/ inscription, Canada, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Headquarters, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Montreal, Napa Valley, New Orleans, New York w/ large logo, Niagara Falls, Palm Springs, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pike Place Market w/ inscription, Pittsburgh, Portland, Raleigh, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco w/ large logo, Seattle w/ sea plane, St. Louis, St. Paul, Tampa, Toronto w/ & w/out inscription, Vancouver w/ inscription, Victoria w/ inscription, Washington D.C.
Starbucks City Coffee Mugs have taken the world by storm, capturing the hearts of coffee lovers and collectors alike. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting your journey, the excitement and sense of adventure that comes with collecting these mugs is unmatched. So, go ahead and embark on this thrilling treasure hunt, and who knows, you might just find the next gem to add to your growing collection!
Shop Coffee Shop Collection
In short, your Starbucks mugs can worth a lot of money so don’t throw them out or get rid of them. Do a little research to determine the value and keep them safe from damage and stains. You could be collecting your way to Big Bucks!!
Vintage Christmas tips: collecting figurines & candleholders. Learn the tips about manufactures like Holt-Howard, Napco, Lefton, Norcrest, and more. For many, the holiday season is filled with love, warmth, and cherished memories. It’s also a time to appreciate and celebrate traditions, both old and new. One such tradition is the fascination with vintage Christmas noel figurines and candle holders from the 1950s, made in Japan. These collectibles not only add a nostalgic touch to your holiday decorations but also carry with them the rich history and craftsmanship of Japanese artisans.
Today’s post in our 2021 Vintage Christmas Collecting Series features some of my favorite vintage Noel sets that date to the 1950s-1960s and feature candle holders, bells, and figurines. Some of these sets were featured in last year’s Vintage Christmas Collecting Series of 2020 but have been updated with current pricing and colorways. When it comes to vintage Noel collectibles there are so many varieties and themes from Santa Claus, Elves, Poodles, Snowmen, Angels, Candy Canes, and even Pixies that there really is something for everyone and you can easily have a theme each year for your holiday decorating too!!
Note: Blog post has a lot of photos and pricing source is recent Ebay, Etsy, Worthpoint, and my own personal sales data.
One sure way to any collector’s heart is items that come with their original boxes. For me, the box can also be used as part of your vintage holiday decor as they usually have timeless graphics that add so much charm to your displays. Since these vintage items are usually 70 yrs old, if you do find an original box it will probably have some wear and tear or even water damage from being stored in basements and attics and that is completely okay and in my opinion, adds that much more to the story and history of the item.
Here are some of my very favorite Noel sets from my personal collection and I think they are just dynamite. Each set is so unique and has loads and loads of vintage Christmas charm. I actually have them up year-round in my cabinet and they always make me smile when I stop and admire them.
Stacked Santa’s NOEL Totem Pole Candle Holders
Vintage Christmas NOEL Santa Candleholders Napco Brinns
Near-and-dear to my heart are these vintage Santa Claus stacked NOEL totem pole candle holders. These have such fun, witty, retro charm. Pictured are two matching pair made by Tilso in Japan in the 1950s. The Santa’s have gold little curly-q’s in their beards, have expressive eyes, and each hold a letter to spell NOEL. Tilso sets (sometimes referred to as Brinns) tend to fetch $225-$300 each, having the original box really can impact the price.
Today’s post is about the most famous reindeer of all – Rudolph. The reindeer with the shiny red nose that leads Santa Claus on his sleigh ride around the world in just one night. Rudolph has been sharing his charm with us all since 1939. It wasn’t too long after, that Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer would become a part of Christmas for families all over the world. If you are interested in collecting Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer then keep reading for the best tips!!
Welcome to the 2021 vintage Christmas collecting series. This is our second post in our series for 2021. Our first post is all about Holt Howard Starry Eyed Santa and you can find it here. If you’d like to review our 2020 six-part guide you can find that here and learn about vintage Christmas collectibles from the 1950s-1960s.
Rudolph was created by Robert L. May, who worked as a copywriter for the Montgomery Ward department store chain and published the story in a brochure for promotional purposes in 1939. The store began preparing for Christmas almost one year earlier when they hired May to write a Christmas story that could be purchased by customers.
Christmas giftware, decorations, and ceramics were at their peak of cuteness (my opinion) in the 1950s-1960s. And it was George Zolton Lefton who founded the Lefton China Company in 1939 in Chicago, Illinois and produced many items from dinnerware sets to Christmas decorations and everything in between and, that includes the Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer set.
Lefton’s Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer set includes:
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer bowl
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer mug
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer salt and pepper shakers
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer planter (Rudolph’s nose lights up)
In this blog post, we’ll explore the joys of collecting vintage Christmas year-round, a guide to treasure hunting success. In fact, searching for vintage Christmas can lead you to some incredible finds that might not be available during the traditional holiday season. Learn some tips on how to find the perfect pieces on popular social platforms, and collector groups and more! Continue reading to learn more.
Hello again my friends, I hope you all had a marvelous Christmas and that Santa was good to you all!! As I put the finishing touches on post number six, the final post of our Vintage Christmas Collecting series, it’s New Year’s Eve as I sit at my desk surrounded by my vintage treasures (vintage Santa’s, snowmen, shopper girls, bottle brush trees and my vintage candy cane holders) and want to thank you all for your lovely comments and questions along the way of the collecting series.
I have truly enjoyed putting the series together and hope you’ve benefited from some of my tips and enjoyed seeing pictures of my collections. I wish you all a Happy New Year and hope that 2021 is good to us all!!
Collecting Vintage Christmas Ornaments
I collect vintage Christmas all year round. As you know from my previous posts, I am obsessed with vintage Christmas items and the hunt is really part of the fun. As our digital worlds keep moving forward, it actually makes searching for vintage Christmas items a little easier and simpler as we have access to wonderful resources that are available 24/7 and 365 days a year and spans the entire globe!!
Yasmina Greco Mid-Century Modern Christmas Philco Predicta Television
Embrace the season with a Mid-Century Modern Christmas! Discover tips on aluminum trees, color wheels, vintage ornaments, Pinup fashion, and more. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through creating a fabulous Mid-Century Modern Christmas atmosphere with an aluminum tree, color wheel, vintage Shiny Brite ornaments, Mid-Century pinup fashion, and a Philco Predicta TV for retro entertainment.
I can’t believe the weeks have flown by; I tell my hubby Gary that ever since Thanksgiving it has all been a blur to me and it’s gone by so fast. So I really can’t believe that this is post five in our six-part Vintage Christmas Collecting Series and, I think one of my favorite posts because not only are we talking about the key elements of a mid-century modern Christmas but also sharing holiday fashions from the 1950s-1960s with me as your festive model.
Retro Aluminum Christmas Trees:
Yasmina Greco Retro Christmas Aluminum Tree
Aluminum Tree: A Retro Centerpiece An authentic Mid-Century Modern Christmas simply wouldn’t be complete without a dazzling aluminum tree. These artificial trees, which flourished from the late 1950s to the mid-1960s, featured aluminum branches and needles in various sizes, with some even boasting charming pom-poms at the tips. As shown in these delightful photos, vintage aluminum trees from the ’50s and ’60s have become highly sought-after collectibles, with prices steadily increasing each year.
You may find these treasures ranging from $175 to over a thousand dollars, particularly for those boasting unique hues like teal or green. However, if an original vintage tree proves elusive or costly, consider opting for a modern reproduction. Several companies offer multicolored and kitschy pink aluminum trees at more affordable prices, ensuring everyone can indulge in this retro holiday centerpiece.
Color Wheel: A Kaleidoscope of Lights:
Yasmina Greco Mid-Century Modern Christmas
Add a touch of whimsy to your aluminum tree with a vintage color wheel. A color wheel is a rotating disc with colored panels that cast different hues onto the tree. As the wheel turns, the tree transforms into a mesmerizing display of festive colors.
Track down an authentic color wheel at antique stores, or opt for a modern version available online. Place the color wheel a few feet from the tree, and let the magic unfold.
