Cookie Jars: Why is Collecting Them So Darn Sweet?
01.29.08By Val UbellI recently watched the TV show called “30 Rock” and as always, laughed out
loud. One of my all-time favorite episodes is when Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) confesses to a skeleton in his closet. Not the fact this his cousin fixes NBA games, or his mother is a racist, or other such declarations – but the fact that he has a cookie jar collection! As a top level executive, that is evidently a real ‘no-no.’ Not one I was aware of, but then I’ve never been a top level exec, nor collected cookie jars.
Years ago, when we got into our first antique mall (renting a booth), the owners had quite a collection. Cookie jars were all over the shelves around the check-out area. None were for sale, just for viewing and they brought a lot of comments and even some pretty high offers. But they declined, these were their own collection. When they eventually sold the business, they decided to divest themselves of some and put sale tags on about half of them. Many sold very quickly, and at some staggering prices. We have watched through the years and thought that maybe interest was fading but have recently noticed that some sell for a pretty penny on the net and in the antique malls we visit.
One of my favorites is Popeye and the one I show has the original corn-cob pipe. He has a bit of a scowl on his face, but you know that old sailor-man is actually an old softie. Especially when Miss Oyl is around.
Another fun cookie jar is this turn-about! It features a body 1.jpg)
with two ‘fronts’ and a head that has two sides, so you get two characters in one. How cool is that?
I purchased a Warman’s Cookie Jar book a few years back and it is quite helpful. It has a lot of pictures and identifies them by makers, shows the years they were made and their sizes. There are values stated as well – sometimes a general range. We did some comparisons and while the book prices are generally higher than what you find on the net or in stores, there is definitely some correlation. The high end McCoy jars do command top dollar. But they must be the “real McCoy”, there.thumbnail.jpg)
are some fakers out there you know. Some of the highest ones are those by Van Telligen and their Peek-a-Boo jar demands a bigger dollar amount than most; $950 in the book! The book does show a reproduction of this one so buyer beware. Pretty darn close!
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Regal China’s Little Red Riding Hood is another expensive one! It sells for approx. $600-700, and once again, there is a reproduction-alert. Years back I found a top to one. Had a chip or two, a crack down the back, but still OK. Listed it on ebay and it sold for almost $100. What a shocker. I continue to watch for special ones but folks do tend to hang onto them. They are so charming.
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Black Memorabelia continues to be a hot item and with the ‘mammy’ on cookie jars, the sky is the limit. This one by Gilner pottery has a value of $1500! Once again, reproductions are out there.
This leprechaun one is cute. And it is a bit of a cross-over since folks of Irish descent will find it very desirable, not just those who like the jars.
As with all collections, you try to find the best example you can. But even if there is a little chip or ding or hairline, they are valued. These are usually on shelves, up high so no child can grab them, or in curios so dusting is not an immediate need. So a little boo-boo is not a problem.
I guess I do understand many of the characters. The Disney ones, there are a lot of people that love piggies, cows or such. Some show trains or other vehicles, some even have western themes, or military depictions. And everyone has a favorite breed of dog! But one with asparagus?
Now that was mystery to me. But then I remembered a sale I made a while back. I bought a very old pottery canister jar with the word “PRUNES” on it. It sold on ebay and when received, the lady sent me this note “Thanks for the best cookie jar I’ve ever had – no one eats my treats anymore!” So, maybe the asparagus is the same concept, who knows?
