This isn't clutter; it's my collectables

In November of '97 I watched as the TV show Personal FX featured the extensive cookie jar collection of Doug and Nancy Allen of Tulsa, Oklahoma, in their "Super Collector" segment of the show. I couldn't believe all the cookie jars (about 900) or how easily Nancy visited with the TV folks, talk about a character! I thought wouldn't it be great to meet Nancy and her hubby Doug and get to see their jars? Well, Washington state is a long ways from Oklahoma, but . . .

In April of '99 my hubby Carl and I were in Oklahoma on vacation, visiting Merla and Jim Davis. We had been invited to the Allen's. I was thrilled! Merla, Carl and I met the Allen's at the flea market in Tulsa, along with another cookie jar collector/chat friend Candice Barnard. We toured the flea market, and then the five of us went to lunch where we began to get acquainted. Nancy was every bit as lively in person as she was on TV. (The photo below was taken at lunch of Doug and Nancy.)

We followed Doug and Nancy to their home, where they warmly welcomed us. Their home is truly a slice of heaven to a cookie jar collector, with over 1000 jars on display! They could have a sign outside that says, "Cookie Jars R Us!" as their collection ranges from who's who, to what's new and everywhere in between. Nancy also loves penguins; they are everywhere in various forms! Even as I write this she is searching for a "cheap" Chilly Willy on the Igloo cookie jar. Since our visit Nancy told me, "I have managed to acquire about 200 more jars!" One being the Design Accent penguin by McCoy, which is now one of her favorites! (I'd bet it's one of 1200+ favorites, as Nancy loves her jars!)

In Nancy's kitchen, not only does she have a large-by-huge amount of advertising cookie jars, she also has advertising tins. It makes her kitchen so bright and colorful! Right around the corner in her family room sits a large baker's rack, filled with what else but cookie jars and tins! Pictured next to it is another shelf in the same room.

As we visited with Nancy, I discovered that she is a very knowledgeable collector, who enjoys the hunt as well as the find. From chatting with her on the about.com website in the months before our visit, I already knew that she was sharp-eyed and more than willing to share tips with other collectors on where to find jars. These days Nancy is an ACJA member who also serves on the board of directors where she makes many valuable contributions. If you were at Belleville and got one of the red, white and blue pens from the ACJA, they were Nancy's brainchild! More than that she fills our cyber meeting with "laughter," using her nimble fingers and quick wit.

The Allen's house was filled with laughter all afternoon; it was wonderful. Doug's warmth, coupled with Nancy's bubbly personality and enthusiasm are simply infectious! I felt so at home there, like I had known the Allens for many years. We finally sat down in the living room and Nancy's cat Jerri took a real liking to me. As a cat lover, I really appreciated that since cats are mostly standoffish. Jerri was talking to me, rubbing on me and I was beaming. Finally Nancy couldn't stifle her laughter anymore, and told me that I was sitting by the can of cat treats! We all just howled over that!

Nancy says, "Our very first cookie jar was a wedding present given to us by my sister when we got married, way back in 1968. It was the McCoy black-bellied stove. Ever since then, whenever I saw a cookie jar I liked, I bought it. I wouldn't pay more than $20 or so for a jar back then. Wish I could find some of those jars I passed up now! I really didn't get serious with it though till about 25 years ago. I consider the collection ours; Doug on the other hand, considers it my sickness. But the truth be known, he enjoys it too!"

I took many pictures during our visit that afternoon and that is causing me some consternation now, as I try to decide which pictures to include with this article! If this article loads slowly for you it's because the Allen's house was just too wonderful and I wanted to share all I could with you!

I think the entryway of the Allen's home sums up their collection better than any words I could write down. On the hall table sat a Brush Formal Pig next to a Dep't. 56 Percival Pig; they looked just right next to each other. If the cookie jars could talk at the Allen's, I think they might say to other cookie jars, "Come one, come all, be ye old, new, repro, retro, or whatever, you will be welcome here!" Many thanks to the Allen's for so warmly welcoming all of us to their home and sharing their fantastic collection with us!

*Editor's note: Follow this link to the about.com website for the story on Nancy's visit with Personal FX. It is worth the visit!

This isn't clutter; it's my collectables! A visit with Doug & Nancy Allen . . .

This isn't clutter; it's my collectables!
A visit with Doug & Nancy Allen . . .