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Volume 13

Collector’s Magazine Plus Antique Shops, Malls & Show Directory Vintage Soda Pop Thermometers Collecting Oyster Plates A Collector’s Memories A Collector’s Passion for Glass Salt and Sugar Shakers

Collector’s Magazine - Written by Collectors for Collectors

VINTAGE SODA POP DIAL THERMOMETERS - A COLLECTOR’S PRIMER Vintage Soda Pop dial thermometers are functional art and sweet graphic indicators of the current temperature. And while we may seek to know how hot or cold it may be, it is the advertiser’s intent to have us dwell upon their eye-grapping graphics and convince us to purchase their Soda Pop. Some of us are so captivated by their graphic images that we may “pop” for over $1,000 to possess a very rare one.

Given their potential value, the prudent collector would be wise to educate themselves in advance of purchasing one of these seductive beauties.

Therefore, it is my intention to educate collectors who would seek to increase their knowledge of these silent sentinels. Conversely, where there are gaps in my knowledge, I solicit your input to round out our collective brain trust on this subject.

Through my 30+ years acquiring in excess of 125 different dial thermometers I have become aware of four primary manufacturers:

Their graphics were silk screened on to a tin face, covered with a convex glass lens, and then encased with a removable aluminum rim secured with two screws. The rear was supported by a rectangular steel channel brace.

These graphics were silk screened on tin.

Ohio Thermometer Back

Ohio Thermometer Company Pam Clock Company T.W. O’Connell & Company Hoosier Specialty & Novelty Company Ohio Thermometer Company Of these four manufacturers, we know the most about this one, and we are indebted to the former Regional Sales Manager, Phil Reeder for our education. Mr. Reeder’s input was critical in establishing the evolution of both the design and construction, and the company name.

The Ohio Thermometer Company was without question the most prolific dial thermometer manufacturer. You will encounter many more of theirs then the other three combined. They began manufacturing 12 and 18 inch diameter thermometers in the 1940’s.

Group of 12” Ohio Thermometers

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This formula was employed for several decades and was then followed with numerous structural and company name changes in rapid succession: 1965 - Three hanging tabs replace the channel brace 1968 - Rubber gasket installed around lens circumference.

1971 - Company name changed to:

“The Original Jumbo Dial Thermometer Co.” 1978 - Plastic lens replaces glass & Celsius offered

as an option 1983 - Name changed to:

“Thermometer Corp. of America” 1984 - Hanging tabs reduced from three to two

and a staple replaces the screws 1985 - Aluminum face replaces tin 1988 - Name change to “Taylor Instruments”

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VINTAGE SODA POP DIAL THERMOMETERS - A COLLECTOR’S PRIMER Given all of these structural and company name changes, there are numerous permutations possible since the face and lens are accessible by removing the two screws or singular staple.

Therefore, the collector could encounter a “hybrid” that may seem suspect.

Example: Should you find a Taylor Instruments dial thermometer with a glass lens, an aluminum face, and rim with screws, then the staple was removed and the plastic lens was substituted with glass. The motive may have been to enhance the esthetics or value, and, or deceive the buyer. Study these dates and make an informed purchase.

Pam Clock Company The Pam Clock Company also appears to have its origins in the 1940’s. A green and red Coke dial thermometer sporting a gold bottle is dated 1948 and is an early example of a 12 inch diameter Pam thermometer. The company also produced square 12 by 12 inch versions for some brands.

Our knowledge of Pam thermometers is marginal at best, and is largely limited to the evidence offered by the thermometers themselves.

Revealed to us are graphics, dates, and business locations of Brooklyn, Mt Vernon, and New Rochelle, all New York locations. We find “Pam’s” dated into the 1960’s, and we know the factory was lost to a fire several decades ago.

Top Row – 12” Pam Thermometers

Back of Taylor’s Thermometer

Please note that the Ohio Thermometer Co. offered Celsius as an option beginning in 1978.

Therefore the absence of Centigrade does not necessarily date the thermometer to 1978 or prior.

For instance, in the 1980’s, they produced a 12 inch diameter Orange Crush sporting the contemporary orange slice logo with only the Fahrenheit scale and there may be other examples.

1980’s Orange Crush Thermometer with glass lens

Bottom Row – 10” O’Connell Thermometers

Pam’s are the clear favorite of dial thermometer collectors. Their sleek, sexy closed case design and appealing graphics speak to the collector, and they tend to command premium prices.

Back of Pam Thermometer

Read all back issues on line at www.AntiqueBackRoads.com

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VINTAGE SODA POP DIAL THERMOMETERS - A COLLECTOR’S PRIMER If you find a Pam face incased in a removable rim secured with screws it has been cut out of its original aluminum case and re-housed, likely due to a broken glass lens. These “hybrids” command considerably lower prices.

T.W. O’Connell & Co. A competitor of the Pam Clock Co., T.W. O’Connell & Co. of Chicago, Illinois also produced a dial thermometer in a sleek, closed case design.

They differ structurally from Pam’s, having an integrated rear vertical brace with half –moon cutouts on either side. In comparison, Pam’s have a flat rear with four hanging tabs.

O’Connell produced 10 and 12 inch diameter versions. You are more likely to encounter the larger of the two, and identical graphic pairs are not uncommon. Most matched pairs are found bearing the 7up brand.

O’Connell appears to have produced dial thermometers through the 1980’s. Since very few are dated the collector will have to rely on their knowledge of soda pop advertising to estimate their age.

Back of Hoosier Specialty & Novelty Company

While I have seen numerous bread and food advertisers on a Hoosier, I have only encountered two soda pop brands, Grapette and Barq’s. Like Ohio and Pam they date back to the 1940’s.

Mystery Dial Thermometer I have shared with you what I know about these manufacturers and the dial thermometers they produced. Now it is your turn to reciprocate if you are able. Help determine the authenticity of the Grapette thermometer pictured.

The picture cannot fully communicate the fine graphic details so the information I provide may help to solve this mystery.

Back of O’Connell Thermometer

Hoosier Specialty & Novelty Company This Fort Branch, Indiana company is a bit of an enigma as we know very little about it. Its dial thermometer construction has elements of both the Ohio and Pam types, i.e., the graphic face has a glass lens and is housed in an aluminum band by two screws like the Ohio. However, like a Pam, it has a solid rear, but the rear steel plate is independent of the rim.

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Antique Shops, Shows and Clubs Director on line at www.AntiqueBackRoads.com

VINTAGE SODA POP DIAL THERMOMETERS - A COLLECTOR’S PRIMER This Grapette dial thermometer was purchased from an estate sale in Camden, Arkansas, home town of the Grapette brand. It is a 12 inch diameter T.W. O’Connell.

Central to the issue of its authenticity are the graphic images: They are indisputably hand painted by an accomplished artist. The peripheral temperature scale is obviously a crisp factory silk screening. There is some rust on the rear of the tin face. Further, there are dirt stains on top of the hand painted graphics! There is no evidence of access to the face of the Grapette graphics which are permanently encased behind the glass lens.

have not seen another in 30+ years collecting dial thermometers. Have you?

I hope that I have educated and entertained those of you who have an interest in soda pop dial thermometers. If you have any comments or information pertinent to this mystery thermometer please contact me at friedmanchuck@gmail.com.

Article by Chuck Friedman

ARE YOU A COLLECTOR? Why not share your collecting experience or collection with others? Just supply us with a word document about what you collect, some knowledge about your collection or even enjoy writing us a story about how you started.

Heck, you can even hand write it and send in the mail to us.

Don’t forget the pictures!

Call us with your ideas 757-894-1218 Email: admin@antiquebackroads.com.

Mailing address: 27531 Mt. Nebo Rd. Onancock, VA. 23417 757-894-1218

This thermometer was examined by at least ten seasoned advertising collectors and none could detect the case was ever breached. So then, what might we have here?

My opinion: T.W. O’Connell & Co. was employed to work up a prototype with Grapette’s graphics. A staff artist was assigned the task to paint the specified graphics on O’Connell’s standard 12 inch diameter face. It was then factory sealed with a glass lens and aluminum case and submitted to Grapette Corp for approval. This prototype eventually finds its way to an outdoor location where it weathers for years. The dirt stains on top of the hand painted graphics and rust on the rear bear witness to its years of exposure. So it begs the question: Is this a one-of-a-kind prototype?

Further, was it ever mass produced? I personally

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Find interesting Vintage Items for Sale on: www.icollect247.com.

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COLLECTING OYSTER PLATES Oyster Plates have been a favorite with collectors both in the US and other countries for many years. If you are looking for something colorful and interesting to collect and display, oyster plate collecting maybe of interest to you.

Oyster Plates are normally over 100 years old.

It’s important to make sure you check each one and see that there are no problems with the plates.

For $30.00 you can buy an Oyster Plate Collectors Guide and that will give you the proper markings, what you should expect to pay for a particular plate and pictures of the vast selection for sale.

When looking for plates, I suggest looking for original plates with no flaws. There are many plates available with chips, cracks and repairs, but I suggest always going for quality flawless ones.

These will retain their value and make a collection you can be proud of.

The first plate manufactured in the United States was by UPW (Union Porcelain Works) in Greenpoint, NY in 1884. They are properly marked with the UPW stamp as well as a date and

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the beak of a bird. A big name in Oyster Plates is, of course, Minton. Some of the most costly plates are Majolica with the George Jones & Sons marking on the back. Most of these were manufactured from 1873 to around 1894. Many of these do have little chips on the edges or some spots where they have been stacked but there is no Oyster Plate so rare you can’t find a truly near perfect one, so don’t settle for less when you can have more.

One of the great stories about the popularity of Oyster Plates was President Rutherford B. Hayes and First Lady Lucy Webb Hayes’ purchase of an entire set for the White House. The entire set was $3,120. A copy of the plate was commissioned to be sold to offset the cost of the special White House set. You can buy one of these copies today (they are vintage and the term copy is used as the copy of the design of the White House set) and you will see that it’s properly marked on the reverse side by Haviland & Co as well as the designer Theodore Davis’ signature and the Presidential Seal (Eagle). You can find these for around $1,500 to $2,400.

People are always asking me what plate they should buy. What I tell them is to buy a plate for around $350.00 (middle of the road), you will never be disappointed by that quality. There are plates from $99 to several thousand dollars no matter your taste.

After you have been a collector for a couple of

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COLLECTING OYSTER PLATES years, I recommend that you buy a signature plate.

One that can be the base of your collection. This one will cost more, but is valued for more and will be your pride and joy to show your friends.

If you are looking at Oyster Plates and someone says “that’s a Turkey Plate” don’t look at them in a strange way because they are talking about the design of the plate, not what goes on it! The Turkey design is formed from the open wells on the plate.

Plus the overturned Oyster shells beside the wells give the resemblance of a Turkey with feathers.

Have you ever heard of Oyster Shooters? There is such a thing and it’s a little dish that holds one shucked oyster (or maybe a few) that you can eat using just the dish. Although they are not as popular as the plates they do make a nice accessory for your collection.

I recommend to all my customers that they buy plate stands for their plates and not use wire hangers to hang them on the wall. The wire plate racks put tension on the plates plus there is a good chance when taking the racks off and on you will chip the edges at some point so if at all possible, try to avoid this.

I guess now is the time to talk about reproduction plates. Unfortunately like with other collectibles, there are many reproduction Oyster Plates so it’s best to arm yourself with knowledge to avoid purchasing one that is not authentic. Find a reputable dealer who is knowledgeable of Oyster Plates and can guarantee their plates as original.

While you find many on line, I suggest when you are investing in an Oyster Plate for the first time, try to see it in person. Why do I say that? Photos on line can be enhanced and computer monitors can change tints. Once you find a reputable dealer they will help you add to your collection and find plates that will complement the ones you already have.

Some dealers, such as myself, tell our customers to call me directly if they are looking at a plate and not sure of its authenticity. Sending a picture of the front and back or just what is written on the back will help identify an original from a reproduction.

For instance if you see a Haviland plate with gold crossed swords on the back, It’s New! The reproductions sell for around $35.00 to $50.00 so be careful and save your money for the real deal.

If you have any questions about Oyster Plates or need advice, please call our gallery. Happy collecting!

Steve Bonner - 800-497-0083 Kilmarnock Antique Gallery 144 School Street, Kilmarnock, VA 22482

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A COLLECTOR’S MEMORIES It all began one summer morning at 1 AM in 1966.

My father enters my bedroom and calls out, “come on son, time to get up.” I am 9 years old and about to experience the working life of a milkman.

Not just any milkman, but a Green Spring Dairy milkman. That’s right, my Dad was a home delivery milkman with one of the largest dairies in Baltimore City, Maryland.

It is dark and quiet outside of our house as we enter Dad’s car to begin the twenty minute drive to the dairy. The roads are empty and from time to time a red light is ignored when no approaching traffic is sighted.

Trucks ready to make their daily deliveries

or “Is he old enough to drive that truck?” I felt like one of the guys, today I too was a milkman.

Our truck is loaded and we enter the cab of the truck. The smell of exhaust, milk, bread and my Dad’s cologne greets me. We are off!

Green Spring Building

We pull up to the dairy, row homes outline one side of the street and a very large cemetery sits across 41st Street where the front of the dairy is located. I keep a sleepy eye on that cemetery as we enter the front door of the dairy.

While walking to the loading dock we pass the bottle filling room. A large glass window allows a full view of the operation. Tours were carried out at the dairy for school children and any interested group of people who wondered what happened behind the tall walls of the dairy.

Once at the loading dock greetings are exchanged between my Dad and his fellow milkmen.

Comments like, “See you got a helper today Jaybird”

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Dad circa 1948 - Jay R. Lerch Sr

My Dad had a country route in Belair Maryland; it is a forty minute ride to our first stop. The country air smells so clean, it is still dark outside, and there aren’t a lot of street lights in this part of Harford County.

Milk was delivered in glass bottles then, and breaking one was not an option. My Dad would hand me the order for the houses on the right side of the street while he took the left side.

Collecting Continues to be a Link to the Past

A COLLECTOR’S MEMORIES

Glass Milk Bottles & Metal Insulated Boxes Sat on Steps Waiting for the Milkman.

We drove and delivered among the singing birds, the rising sun and the awaking world around us.

My Dad, coworkers and I were part of an American iconic way of life that is lost to us all now.

My Dad would sing while he drove, and I think he made up most of the words. Every now and then people would flag us down and buy milk right off the truck; my Dad always had a large leather change bag around his waist for just such a customer.

He always had half a case of half pint sized chocolate milk for me. Everyone knows that in those days you drank the milk out of the half pint container, bent over the spout and stomped on the empty box. A very satisfying bang would be the result. Well, I would drink several of them, saving the empty boxes. I would then set several of them in the road, ahead of our truck, and Dad would run them over setting off loud secessions of bangs. We would be laughing with every bang wondering if we woke anyone up.

My Dad raised three children, myself and two sisters, on his milkman salary. I loved this time with my Dad, and cherished every minute. When you are young you never think it will end.

Green Spring, Cloverland, Koontz and Sealtest Dairies were four of the largest at that time in Baltimore. Each dairy had their own jingles and folks from that period can still recite them. Green Spring’s jingle was, “The dairy store at your door.”

While Cloverland boasted, “If you don’t own a cow

call Cloverland now.”

Green Spring Dairy opened in 1932, on Harford Road, in the northeast section of Baltimore City.

The dairy was later relocated to a state of the art dairy facility on 41st Street, also in Baltimore City.

Green Spring Dairy was awarded government war time contracts during World War II and continued home delivery into the 1980’s. Green Spring Dairy was closed in 1995 and the plant facilities were eventually removed for a housing and shopping development.

Picture of Inside of Plant made into a Giveaway Puzzle

With my Dad working at Green Spring Dairy I started my collection with common items I found around the house.

While still living in the Baltimore area I found a few things that I didn’t have, but that dried up quickly. Now it is very hard to find anything related to such a large dairy for its time.

I find it very rewarding to have a collection that involved such great memories and that I was a part of.

Jay R. Lerch, Jr.

Collecting Continues to be a Link to the Past

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A COLLECTOR’S MEMORIES

Green Spring Drivers Embroidery Uniform Patch Advertising Fan Rare Lightup Green Spring Sign

Rare Green Spring Dairy Egg Carton

Wooden Milk Bottle Carrier

We believe that these are delivery truck signs. I recently purchased these three tin signs from a seller on www.icollect247.com. These are extremely rare!

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Page 10

Collecting Continues to be a Link to the Past

IS IT OLD OR IS IT NEW? That is a question that many people who start to collect and even seasoned collectors ask when they see something they have never seen. No matter how long you have been collecting, you will be fooled and purchase something that you thought was old, only to find out it was made last week!

For many people, it has turned them away from collecting. They stop collecting as they are afraid to buy anything either from an antique shop, auction or on line. Years ago when you walked into an antique shop (before the internet) you talked to the owner of the shop and he would give you the history of the piece and age of the piece. You brought with confidence and added as an investment you could enjoy for years to come.

Manufacturing companies realized that this was an untouched market and there were collectors just waiting to spend their money. Many limited edition collectibles were then produced such as the Jim Beam decanters. Other companies soon discovered the phrase “Limited Edition” but did not tell you there were millions made. I guess recently the funniest thing I have seen was “Limited Edition” ice cream. To me, that is funny and the truth…when you eat one, there are fewer.

Companies love to make you think things will only be available and you need to buy “NOW”.

I remember so well, years ago I was in a meeting with Mattel at a Barbie Convention. They were asking the group of collectors what they collected, what was in demand and were prices going up.

Well, within a couple of years, they were then reproducing the early Barbie dolls and outfits. They had already been successful in the Limited Edition Holiday Barbies and it had worked so well, so they were just trying to find out what collectors would buy.

We still see it today, as large companies either produce new items to look old or reproduce cheaper versions to look like the old. You can find these at any flea market and on the internet.

So, back to the original question….is it old or is it new? Should I buy or leave it? The answer really depends on your use for the piece and if you like it?

If you are planning to put it on the outside of your barn and you are looking for something decorative, buy it…it does not matter. If your taste change or you tear the barn down, it does not matter it can go in the next yard sale.

If you are looking for an investment, then ask questions of the seller, read magazines such as Antique Back Roads (back issues available on line for reading) and buy what you can afford. You are not giving your money to a stock broker to invest, you are the stock broker and you need to know your market.

Talk to other collectors, find out where to buy and where the market it. You can get great “market” tips from them.

Now, back to the way it was and the way it is now!

Few one-owner antique shops are still operating.

Why? The pickers who would bring them inventory, found the internet. Now the pickers were selling direct on the internet. So, the one-owner shop had to become antique malls where other sellers could supply inventory to their customers.

Antique Shows and Events were actually around before Antique Malls. These shows and events offer the “Old Fashioned” opportunity to talk to the owner of the merchandise. Quality Antique Malls, such as : Rebel’s Roost Antique Emporium, Antique Center of Red Banks and Studebaker’s Garage are “Featured Shops” on page 15. Featured Shows such as the DC Big Flea and The Virginia Jewelry, Art & Antique Show are “Featured Shows” on page 15 and 16.

While the internet is full of places to buy…there is only one website you can see only vintage items, have the seller’s name, ask questions of the sellers and even talk to them directly by phone…just like the one owner antique shops.

That place is icollect247.com.

Buy and Sell on www.icollect247.com for “Real” Vintage

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A COLLECTOR’S PASSION FOR GLASS SALT AND SUGAR SHAKERS During the Victorian era, especially between the years 1880 and 1910, the people of the day had something created for just about everything. This was especially true when it comes to items created for the table. There were four piece table sets that would include a butter dish, sugar bowl, creamer, and spooner. Ornate containers to hold pickles, mustard, syrup, vinegar or maybe oil, and toothpicks were commonly produced. Small containers with perforated tops for salt, pepper, and larger containers for sugar were very popular and came in an endless number of designs and types of glass produced during that period.

The glass industry was very competitive in that period and makers were always trying to outdo the competition. New designs and types of glass were always being developed and patients were defended readily.

Factories like the Mt. Washington Glass Company, New England Glass Company, Northwood Glass Company and Hobbs Brockunier glass to name just a few, were major producers from this period.

As a collector I love all the items produced from that special period. However, I found that shaker collecting was my true passion. I find them desirable because they are small and you can build a rather large collection and display them in a relatively small area.

Another interesting thing about collecting these old shakers is that it’s not unusual to find old notes telling about the piece or where it came from tucked inside the shaker from its past owners.

Sugar shakers were made to contain and dispense sugar, usually a powdered type and were not really included as part of a set.

Salt and pepper shakers were sold as a set and the addition of a mustard jar and maybe even a small oil bottle or cruet were found in more elaborate sets. I find that the two and three piece sets are much easier to find than the four piece sets in my opinion.

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Salt shakers and all related bottles can come in almost all types of glass that was offered during the period.

Most were mould blown and includes cased glass; decorated opalware as well as many other forms of enameled glass.

Others include Amberina, Burmese, Peachblow, Findlay Onyx, Opalescent, Chocolate glass and so many others. The most notable manufacturers are Mt Washington, New England Glass, Consolidated Glass, Hobbs Brockunier, Challinor Taylor, Northwood, and it is this diversity that makes them objects of desire.

Many Victorian era shakers have either a two piece or a one piece top. Two piece tops contain a collar that is cemented to the shaker using plaster. This collar contains the threads that the top screws on to. The glass itself does not contain any threads. The second is a one piece top in which the glass itself contains molded threads and the top screws on like modern day tops.

On most shakers that have a one piece top you will notice a very thin rough top edge.

This rough chipped edge is a telltale sign the shaker is an old one but not in all cases. Many pieces do have a ground top and to tell the old ones from the new, experience in handling different pieces is important.

Of course, this top edge is hidden once the top is screwed on.

There are some reproductions out there; most will have a ground or smooth top edge and may be a heavier glass. As mentioned above, not all old shakers have rough chipped edges and experience will give you the skills to spot them. When buying a Victorian era shaker, should it not have a top, do not let that discourage you. Unless it’s a shaker with a

Collecting Continues to be a Link to the Past

A COLLECTOR’S PASSION FOR GLASS SALT AND SUGAR SHAKERS A Mt Washington Glass Company Chick Head shaker with figural top.

This is held on with prongs that provided pressure against the glass body to hold it tight.

very specific top that is part of the identity of the of the shaker, you can always find a top you can use on it. Most shaker collectors have a box of old tops just for this reason.

Some of these specialty tops, usually figural in design that were used mainly by Mt Washington were fastened to the glass body with a prongs that held it by pressure.

The most common item that goes along with a salt and pepper shaker set is a mustard jar. They held powdered mustard which was dispensed with a small spoon. They came in all the same patterns and glass types as the shakers do. Actually, mustard jars are harder to find, generally speaking, there was only one mustard jar for every two shakers made.

Every shaker and mustard had a top of some sort. These tops were made of many types of materials. Typically brass, nickel, pewter, and silver were used. The tops can come plain and embossed with designs and flowers. These specialty tops were reserved for certain shakers made by Mt Washington and C. Monroe’s Wavecrest line to name a couple. Mt Washington made some

shakers in the forms of Tomatoes, Eggs, Chicks, and Figs.

These shakers had specialty tops that were made just for the shaker they are on. They are part of the form of the object they represent. Victorian shakers can range from very plain shapes to objects found in nature such as animals, acorns, flowers, and stylized representations of natural objects.

Some of my favorite pieces are odd color or non-production colors, slag glass shakers as well as old carnival glass shakers which are very rare to find.

Not much is known about most old carnival glass shakers. This is an example of a pattern called Shell & Seaweed, maker unknown. The color is Marigold finish on Moonstone glass.

Some of the more rare colors would be any of the true Peachblow pieces either produced by New England Glass or Mt Washington Glass Co..

Indiana Tumbler & Goblet Co. produced some

shakers in Chocolate glass as well as Golden Agate.

Findlay Glass Company produced Findlay Onyx and any of their variations. When it comes to odd colors and non-production colors, the Very rare Indian Tumbler & Goblet Company Golden Agate.

Also known as Holly Amber Glass. This type of glass was made for a very limited time and is very rare!

Collecting Continues to be a Link to the Past

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A COLLECTOR’S PASSION FOR GLASS SALT AND SUGAR SHAKERS variety is really unknown due to the fact that any kind of odd color may turn up that was not a normally produced color or a mistake due to a bad glass batch.

Enameled shakers can be miniature works of art representing flowers, designs, Mary Gregory type figures, and even flying insects like butterflies.

Also figural shakers can be most interesting and many hard to come by. They can represent Owls, Chickens, Eggs, and Tomatoes to name a few as mentioned above. Mt Washington Glass Company made a number of shakers that represented these kinds of objects. Atterbury & Co. and Challinor produced some of the Owl pieces.

Shakers come in all price ranges so it’s a collectible that just about anyone can enjoy.

There are many very nice pretty shakers that can be bought for under $50. At the other end of the spectrum, high end collectors can spend several thousand dollars (or Pounds) for some very rare unique pieces. Most of the better pieces fall between $75 and $300 each.

Collecting shakers can be a disease like any other type of collecting and even though they are small they do have a habit of multiplying quickly and filling every space. They can be a bit of a challenge to display well and I find that narrow wall cabinets work best.

There is a club that unites so many collectors from around the USA and Canada. I would love to hear from others in different countries that may collect these popular collectibles.

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There is a club website “Antique Glass Salt and Sugar Shaker Club” that you can visit on the internet at http://www.antiquesaltshakers. com as well as books on the subject. They produce a quarterly newsletter, and have an ongoing shaker ID project as well as an annual convention.

Victorian art glass shakers and condiment sets are just one category of the many table items that were used to set a table in the Victorian era. It’s amazing to think that glass workers of that era would never believe that their handy work making these little works of art be alive and well in he 21st century.

If you want to begin collecting Victorian Art Glass shakers and condiment sets I would suggest the following books on the subject. Glass Salt Shakers by Arthur G. Peterson, The World of Salt Shakers, Volumes 1,2,3 by Mildred & Ralph Lechner. All books on the subject are out of print so I would suggest finding them on the secondary market.

Should you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me at antiques_in_nj@yahoo.com Article by Scott Beale

Collecting Continues to be a Link to the Past

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Collecting Continues to be a Link to the Past

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Volume 9

Volume 11

A 1900’s Drugstore • The Beatles Changed the World Egg Scale Collecting What Tins Do You Collect?

Coin Collecting

Bring Back Memories • Collecting Bicycle Plates The Story of Royal Rochester Fateful Fabulous Fantasy Fulfilled • Collecting Oil Cans

Volume 10

It’s Not Just An Old Paint Can • Postcard Collecting Royal Rochester Later Years Ingle System Scrip Register The Making of a NASCAR Collector

Collecting Coca-Cola • Keeping History Alive Collecting Currency • The Winchester Store

Page 16

Volume 12

Collecting Continues to be a Link to the Past