Summer is nearly here and the weather out here in California has been heating right up. I just love the sweet red cherry collectibles from the 1940s-1950s; everything from vintage kitchen salt and pepper shakers, mixing bowls, shelf paper and trim to the vintage cherry tablecloths and of course vintage cherry Bakelite brooches and the bathing suites from that era. I am definitely looking for vintage cherry collectibles!!
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When talking about vintage ceramic kitchen collectibles from the 1950s-1960s, a popular theme is ‘Anthropomorphic’ and it refers to ‘uniquely human characteristics and expressions’ and these ceramic are usually very colorful and animated – kind of like cartoon characters with big eyes and smiles. These vintage ceramics were mostly imports from Japan and made by the eras top manufacturers Holt Howard, PY, Miyao, Coronet, Napco, and Lefton.
You can find Anthropomorphic collectibles in the forms of: Condiment Jars, Salt and Pepper Shakers, Cruet Sets, Jam and Jelly Jars, Planters, Vases, Wall Pockets, Cake Stands, Dinner Ware Sets, Serving Bowls, Serving Trays, Butter Dishes, Teapots, Pitchers and more.
Today these kitschy anthropomorphic collectibles can be found online, on EBay, Etsy, Rubylane, and in antique and collectibles shops all over the country but in small quantities. Collectors tend to collect based on manufacturer or theme – say all red apple items or only the lemon heads. Be prepared however to pay top dollar on these items as they are very collectible today and can rage from $29.99 – $3,500 (for the rare Lefton Hot Dog Head condiment jar and Holt Howard Honey jar). I was at a flea market recently and spotted a pair of vintage 1950s anthropomorphic fruit head salt and pepper shakers in horrible condition with lots of crazing and paint wear and the seller was asking $40 for them and when I attempted to negotiate he just looked at me and said “Do you know what these are? They are from 50s and very collectible today” and he was not going to budge on price.
Collecting vintage anthropomorphic kitchen ceramics are a REALLY fun type of collectible as their bright colors and big smiles and expressive faces are so darn cute and charming so they appeal to lots of folks. Today, finding pieces to complete a set or add to a growing collection are getting more and more difficult and prices are climbing. Do you collect vintage anthropomorphic kitchen ceramics? Send us a note and let us know about your collection.
The truth is, I can’t stay away from antique malls, flea markets, or estate sales and feel a real ‘need’ to visit these places at least a couple times a month. The weather here in Northern California’s wine country has been pretty rainy but today was dry and sunny and after we ran our errands we headed to the quaint town of Healdsburg to Mill Street Antiques. There were lots of shoppers and the booths didn’t really have great sales. Also, looked like several booths were on the way out/closing down and that might mean new dealers taking occupancy soon (another reason to visit after the New Year to see what the new booths have). My husband found several cool vintage cameras and books and I found these adorable Lefton Ballerina wall plaques, vintage 1950s poodles, vintage linens with embroidered Scottie dogs and horses, vintage hankies and a vintage Napco Christmas spaghetti poodle dog figurine and I was really happy!!
As 2012 quickly comes to an end, I am thinking about 2013 and my dream job – my dream job would be to travel around the country to antique malls, flea markets, estate sales, and private residences touring the locations, meeting the collectors, vendors and dealers, talking about the goodies/treasures in each of the locations, how and what started people building collections and film it all….putting together a sort of ‘day trip’ guide or ‘best of’ show on what each town has to offer. Hmmmm, I recall a very wise woman once saying “find what it is you love to do and turn it into a job”. Wishing you all a safe, healthy, and prosperous 2013!!
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Right about now its probably cold outside, maybe even snowing where you are and its mid December with Christmas right around the corner! Do you find yourself in a slight panic asking yourself “What gift do I give the vintage collector”? Well, we hope you find this article helpful as we have put together three gift basket ideas you can create for the vintage and retro collector you know.
Vintage salt and pepper shaker collectors, vintage dog figurine and vintage teacup collectors will all be so happy to find these gift baskets waiting especially for them under the Christmas tree. Putting together a gift basket for the vintage collector is a very personalized and unique gift that surely will be treasured!
Basket 1: The Salt and Pepper Shaker Collector Gift Basket
The container used for this gift basket for the salt and pepper shaker collector can be a vintage basket, vintage colander, small vintage cabinet, vintage mixing bowls, vintage loaf pans, vintage hat box, ceramics/crates, cans, tins and trays to name a few.
Make sure you have an adequate amount of cellophane, netting, or tulles to completely cover the gift basket and have enough left to pull up over the basket to tie it off and secure the items. Fill the bottom of the container with shred, brown primitive papers, or vintage tea towels and napkins to cushion the contents. Have some nice bows and ribbons and items to embellish the basket like florals, ornaments, and some greenery handy.
Items to include in this gift basket are of course Salt and Pepper Shakers; maybe you are able to seek out and find the rare or hard-to-find shakers your recipient is looking for. Perhaps you are very generous and can include multiple sets or a couple pairs of shakers. Also, including a collectors book specific to salt and pepper shakers that details collecting areas and manufacturers, price guides, what to sell and what to keep would be a nice addition. Adding some actual gourmet salts and peppers to this basket would be great. Maybe you are able to locate a calendar specific to salt and pepper shakers to add to the basket or have photographed the collection of shakers your recipient has and turned it into a calendar or coffee table book and can add it to this basket – that would be truly awesome!
Basket 2: Gift Basket For The Vintage Teacup Collector
Does your recipient collect Chintz teacups, or only teacups with pink roses, bone china teacups, or a variety of teacups? No matter which type of teacup your recipient collects, you should be in luck and have no trouble finding the perfect one as teacups are everywhere and beautiful vintage and antique ones can be tracked down at antique shops, vintage shops, and even thrift stores and estate sales.
The container used for this gift basket for the Teacup collector can be a vintage basket, a pretty wicker basket, vintage colander, vintage hat box, ceramics/crates, cans, tins and trays, lovely porcelain boxes, and vintage tea caddy’s to name a few.
Make sure you have an adequate amount of cellophane, netting, or tulles to completely cover the gift basket and have enough left to pull up over the basket to tie it off and secure the items. Fill the bottom of the container with shred, vintage tea towels or vintage napkins, even a small vintage quilt or scarf to cushion the contents. Have some nice bows and ribbons and items to embellish the basket like florals, ornaments, and some greenery handy.
Items to include in this gift are teacups! Make sure the teacup is cleaned before placing it into the gift container. Teacups in whatever pattern and style your recipient collects. If you have a treasured heirloom that you would consider passing onto a close and dear collector you know, this would be a treasured teacup to receive for certain! Adding a dainty enameled spoon or vintage sterling silver teaspoon along with a nice selection of gourmet teas, sugars and tea cookies. Adding a lovely vintage porcelain creamer and a darling little teacup ornament would be nice additions as well. Also, adding a resource like a collector’s book on teacups and china would be very nice too. Great resource here.
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