Vintage Jars, Just make me say "Ah!"

by Sandi Phillips

New cookie jars are prominently on the scene these days and very wonderful in their own right; but there is just something about vintage jars!

Certainly now and perhaps always, vintage jars have been a challenge to find. Many decisions factor into buying vintage jars: their condition, affordability, availability and the most dreaded thought of all, “has this jar been reproduced?”

Even with these obstacles the appeal of vintage jars keep collectors hunting. Me included.

Click on the pictures to see a larger version!

This picture is of some of my favorite vintage jars. Brush made the Donkey with Cart, Happy Squirrel and Davy Crockett. The Sitting Horse is an American Bisque jar. Hopalong Cassidy is unmarked. The legendary Don Winton, who is an ACJA member, designed the Donkey with Cart as well as many, many other jars. Don your work is SO appreciated!

These two jars were made by Robinson Ransbottom Pottery, another of the Roseville, Ohio potteries. RRP named the sailor Jack and the soldier Bud. Why then, you ask, does the front of the soldier say “William?” I wish I knew. This much I do know: I bought the jar from ACJA member Keith Lytle of Cookie Jar Antiques. He bought the jar in Las Vegas. When he bought the jar it had personalized painting on it. Besides saying “William,” there is a medal on his chest, a stripe on his left arm, “Cookies,” on the back and on the right side of his service cap it says, “Baltimore, Md. 1945.” The paint on the added lettering appears to be cold paint, as is the rest of the jar. Perhaps when “William” came home from the war a family member or friend had the jar waiting for him. The condition of the paint on the jar is so mint, I have wondered if “William” was put away in a china cupboard and after all of his loved ones passed away, he was auctioned off. To find one of these jars is awesome; when I found the second one I was ecstatic!

American Bisque’s Pennsylvania Dutch boy and girl are front and center in this shot. I feel very blessed to have them in my collection, they are not easy jars to find. In the back row are, the Dancing Pig and Puppy by American Bisque. I just love ABC’s jars with their wonderful facial expressions and soft colors! In the right hand corner is the 1957 DeForest of California, Ponytail Girl. She even has the glitter on her pony tail.

Beautiful ladies, three in a row! Just say “Ah.” These American Bisque Yarn Dolls and the their corresponding banks took this shopper eight years to find and it was worth the hunt! Note the blue Yarn Doll cookie jar has gold trim. She was the first Yarn Doll to come home with me; then the yellow and FINALLY the green! I am still on the hunt for a green bank. Ah, life is still worth while, yes? The hunt continues . . .