Crazy4Me - The Modern Bombshell Lifestyle by: Yasmina Greco
Vintage Fashion, Mid-Century Modern, Collectibles, and Everything in Between
I have always loved mermaids, and the 1950s were a time of great fascination with the mythical creatures. This blog post will discuss how to collect vintage mermaids from this era to decorate your home. My favorite mermaids are from the early 50s made by Norcrest, Napco, and Lefton. I love how whimsical they look on my bathroom walls. I’ll also share more of my favorite finds with you all in this post.
About Josef Originals:
Josef Originals are designed by artist Muriel Joseph George who is the creator of Josef Orignals back in 1945. These figures are created with the utmost attention to authenticity, including the detailed ceramic construction and 24K gold paint for character accents. Cute animals, charming dolls, delightful Christmas characters.
Some of the more popular lines created by Muriel for Josef Originals:
There is a story behind the name “Josef Originals.”
The name was supposed to be spelled “Joseph,” but the printer made a mistake on the first set of labels that were ordered. It was too late to change the labels. The orders were in and the ceramics had to be shipped. So, “Josef Originals” was born.
Today, Josef Originals figurines are gaining in popularity and prices are starting to go up. When you are looking for these figurines be sure that they retain their sticker labels and if they are birthday girls they should retain their poem tags….this makes their value higher. Ebay, Etsy, Antique Shops, Thrift Stores are where you can find these cuties. The doll figurines can be had for $14.99-$50 and the older figurines with black eyes and black labels can go as high as $75+. The Christmas figures too are going for approx. $45-$75 on average. How many Josef Originals do you have in your collection?
It was roughly one year ago that I actually paid attention to a Head Vase. Before, I saw them here and there and in old books and tv shows but had no real interest at that time. So, I was out product sourcing a year ago for some auctions I was going to post up for the weekend when I came across a “Norleans” lady Head Vase with the long black eyelashes, a gorgeous head of blonde hair and siren red lips. That Norleans head vase was a small 4 1/2 inch head vase and looked so amazing that I went into the booth she was in and took her off the shelf to get a better look. I took her home that afternoon and she was sold before the week was over! Now, I wish I would have kept her as I would love to start my own collection as I am truly fascinated by the beauty and glamour of vintage Head Vases.
For those that are advanced collectors and for those that are just getting started on their collections, the below is some great information on Head Vases that I hope you enjoy reading.
Head Vase History
With World War II a memory, America prospered in the late 1940s and 50s. Japan was no longer the enemy; instead, with its lower labor costs as well as the favorable dollar/yen exchange rate, the island nation increasingly became the source of many low-cost imports to the United States. Small ceramics were among the most popular—including head vases, which today have become extremely collectible.
Back then, few would have anticipated the current popularity of this commodity which, for decades, florists used as inexpensive enhancements for their bouquets. Indeed, what today we usually refer to as “ceramic planters” or “head vases,” was often then generically called “florist ware.” Neighborhood “five and dimes” were popular sources for the more affordable pieces.
To all collectors of ceramic Mermaids, Seahorses and Fish, boy you are in for a real treat with this book by Arleen Smith – Ceramic Fish, Mermaids & Seahorses: Bathroom Decorations of the 1940s & 1950s. I have not come across another book like this one that particularly focuses on vintage 1940s – 1950s bathroom ceramics. The author introduces you to the “Ceramic Potters” of yester-year like Bradley Exclusives, Josef Originals, Ceramicraft, Kay Finch, Deforest, Freeman-McFarlin, Lefton, Napco, PY, Enesco, Norcrest, Napco, Joty, Gilner, Holt Howard and the Made In Japan imports. The book was published by Schiffer back in 2001 but don’t for one moment think it is out-dated as it has 128 pages full of photos, information and values. OK, value wise the book is a touch out-dated but from researching these kitschy sea collectibles in today’s 2010 market, I can tell you that their value and appeal is skyrocketing!
Ceramic Fish, Mermaids & Seahorses: Bathroom Decorations of the 1940s & 1950s shows the reader the many beautifully crafted Mermaids, Fish, and Seahorses complete with bubbles. You get to see the differences in the crafting styles of the many artists during the 1940s-1950s and also see the differences between the Japan made pieces. Yes, the Mermaids are beautiful Vixen Sirens of the sea and the Seahorses are a Magical Mystical creature some with rhinestone eyes and Fish made from chalkware to such highly detailed, painted and stylized pieces that you are left in awe! For details about this amazing book please visit HERE to get yours!
It was about a year ago that I first came across a little 6-year-old birthday girl angel figurine. I was out product sourcing when I found this little figurine. I noticed that when I turned the figurine upside down she had “Josef Originals” incised. I had no idea at this point what a Josef Originals was but was glad the figurine was marked as items that are marked or signed tend to sell faster and for higher prices then un-marked or un-signed items and the price tag on this little figurine was well within my budget.
I got the little figurine home and opened up my MAC to begin a bit of research on “Josef Originals” and sold her that evening! Well, it turned out that buying this little figurine was indeed a good investment as she sold right away for more than 4 times what I snapped her up for. I now know that there are many collectors of Josef figurines and the Birthday Angles are just one of many series of figurines that were created by the company. Since I had not known about Josef Originals until last year, there are perhaps others that don’t as well so I thought the below might be helpful as the world of Josef Originals is a highly-sought after market.
About Josef Originals:
Josef Originals are designed by artist Muriel Joseph George who is the creator of Josef Orignals back in 1945. These figures are created with the utmost attention to authenticity, including the detailed ceramic construction and 24K gold paint for character accents. Cute animals, charming dolls, delightful Christmas characters.
Farmhouse Antiques is a charming little shop offering a large selection of antique and vintage quilts, tablecloths, tea towels, postcards, salt and pepper shakers, glassware, 1950s spaghetti poodles, nick-nacks, charming jewelry and so much more! On my visit I walked away with some darling vintage Holt Howard and Lefton pixieware relish jars and pixieware jam jars and a couple Josef Originals figurines (I will post up pictures shortly to share with you all) and I found the pricing at Farmhouse Antiques extremely reasonably especially in comparison to the many other antiques and collectibles shops that make-up Sellwood’s Antiques Row. 
Farmhouse Antiques
8028 SE 13th Ave
Portland, OR 97202
503-232-675
