How Much Do I Pay For This Cookie Jar?
by Sandi Phillips A frequent question these days, especially from newer cookie jar collectors, is what should I pay for this cookie jar? That’s a head scratcher for sure. Even after collecting for over 12 years, I still ask myself that question as I shop. When I started collecting, the only book available was Ermagene Westfall’s first book.I pored over it, thinking I want this jar, that jar and so on. Trouble was, the dealers selling the jars didn’t seem to follow the prices in the book. A lot of the time they were higher! Never the less, I trudged ahead with my collection, buying what I could find and even more importantly afford. Then came a steady flow of cookie jar books and viola, I was in hog heaven, dreaming of the collection I would have! By then it was the early 90’s, in the next few years the prices on jars went up and up and up.It looked for a while like no end was in sight. Each time a book came out the prices continued to skyrocket. New jars weren’t that plentiful; to get that “cookie jar fix” was starting to be an expensive proposition.Then the cookie jar market peaked; jar prices started getting softer and softer. Even the most collectible jars weren’t commanding the prices that they had beforeNow keep in mind that all those books were out there saying the price is such and such. The non-cookie jar collector/dealer was using the book prices, not knowing they were yesterdays’ news. This backwash is still affecting us today, hence the high prices we see.These factors have left us with vintage jars that command high prices.Or do they? What percentage of the older, higher priced jars are actually selling? When I visit with other collectors, most seem to think more than not, these higher priced jars are not selling. Ok, what about those book prices?It’s a sure thing that you will find reproductions out there. You should also expect to find dealers who are not cookie jar collectors, waving a book saying this jar books for X number of $$$$$$. For instance, on my last road trip with two other cookie jar collector friends, we saw the Walt Disney Mary Poppins jar, it was breath taking!She was so beautiful! The tag said, “Books for $1800.00, our price $989.00.”Wheeze, choke, gasp! Now maybe that dealer thought they were giving somebody a real deal, but it wasn’t this old gal with a flat wallet like mine. Ok, let’s go one step further. Say this dealer saw the jar and was able to buy it for $450.00, they thought they could double their money and still be way under the book price. Whatever. When the dust settled and we left the store, the jar was still there. You need to understand that the three of us are serious cookie jar collectors with collections ranging in number from 350 to 900 jars.
It must be difficult to write a book that is a price guide. You send it to the publisher and in six months or so when your book is published the prices are already somewhat stale dated. Also, how do you take into consideration what part of the country you live in compared to the USA as a whole? Do you average the prices or what? There is much value in buying the books available on cookie jars. The pictures are wonderful to see, it’s nice to know the details of the markings on the jars, the sizing reference and the information on companies that made the jars. These things never become stale-dated like the prices do. If you get a chance to buy the books second hand, do so and save yourself some money. Also, some of the reference books are no longer being published. The new jar market has exploded with all kinds of wonderful, affordable jars and they are big competition for the older jars. Yes, they are apples and oranges in comparison it’s true. Some collectors are determined to have the older jars and will patiently wait until they find one at what is to them the right price. Others perhaps think, I can come home empty handed or buy an affordable new jar. Many are opting to come home with a new jar. Ok, back to the question, how much do we pay for cookie jars? I believe that is where each individual must make a personal assessment; I don’t believe any book out there can help with this question. How much are you willing to pay? How much can you afford? Is it worth it to you to buy one $200.00 jar or would you rather have four $50.00 jars? Or more importantly, do you have that much extra in your cookie jars budget? There is no doubt that prices are a very murky issue at this point. But you and I can impact the market by what we are willing to and do pay for jars. Educate yourself so you can know what you want your collection to become. Assess each purchase you make. Maybe, just maybe, the only price book we should look for is an accounting of what other collectors have actually paid for cookie jars. It seems to me that if we continue to pay the high prices on the vintage jars, they will stay high. Ok here is a question for you. Pictured below are two very wonderful cookie jars. The Alice in Wonderland is a classic, the Cinderella brand new and in my opinion destined to become a classic. The asking price on the Alice when I saw it was $2,550.00 and the Cinderella $35.00. Do you chose one or the other or both? You see the decision is really up to you! How much do you want to pay and what can you afford?
It’s like I tell my kids, life is full of hard decisions,
but I am sure that you will make the right one! *Author’s note:
On this website you can find more information about the cookie jar books
available by looking under Articles “Are These
Cookie Jar Reference Books In Your Tool Bag?”
Also on the left hand index on this site see, “Book Store,” this link
will take you to amazon.com where you can purchase the books if you find one
that meets your needs.
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