July 2018
by Lin Romberg
Shawnee Tales
I was asked if I would do an article on Shawnee shakers. I must say up front, some of my beliefs on how some of the older shakers are to be paired, and the number of holes in them may stir up a bit of controversy. However, I think that is good as we may have readers that can clear this up one way or the other. It’s also not meant to slam the authors of these books or say they are wrong, but to establish what they say is true or if indeed what it appears to me to be correct. Having said all that I have been collecting only Shawnee shakers for several years, I have at last count 165 sets. Here are some of my findings, some are absolute. When we get to the Elephants, Rabbits, Birds and Fish, I would like your input as to what you own or have seen. This could be a huge benefit to all of us. I do not claim to be an expert. This is just what I have seen in my many years of collecting.
Let us start with an easy one. The range Snowflake has holes that are drilled in two patterns. In one pattern the holes are drilled to shape an “S” & a” P”. The second pattern has 6 holes that are drilled in a circle and its mate is done the same way with the seventh hole drilled in the middle.
There are four sets of shakers called the Conventional Design. Two of these sets are in the books. The other two I am positive are Shawnee as well.
Now we come to the shakers that I am sure will stir the pot. I definitely want your input on these. I may be totally off base. I am just telling you what I have seen in my years collecting. I will start with the birds, I have never seen a set as the books say, I believe a heads up with two holes and a heads down with one hole make a set.
The fish I have never seen them as the books say they are. I believe one of each is to be a set.
Now we get to a real tough one or I should say two. The Elephants and Rabbits, again I have never seen these in the hole pattern as the books say. All I have ever seen are two holes Elephants, and one hole Rabbits. So maybe these are to be paired as the small fruit shaker, or could it be that one Elephant and one Rabbit make a set?
I definitely want your input and picture proof if you have them. Once again I cannot say strongly enough that the books are wrong. As a collector I just want to know for sure. (See the pictures). I would like you to look over your collections, look at your collector books.
One last item again may stir things a bit, again not intended but interesting. The Range or hanging Fruit shakers, the books say that both have four holes. But I have seen the same set in the same book a pair both having five holes can someone clarify or clear this up? Again nothing meant against author just want to know.
I think I can hear it in the distance, "they were usually sold in bins". We know these were sold loose in bins originally. Although I think they were made to be paired a certain way to make a salt and a pepper set.
I am just an old collector with some answers and a lot of questions. I want to thank Doug and Lin for this opportunity to do an article. Doug has been a huge help to me over the years in my collecting.
God bless you all, looking forward to your input.
Share your thoughts -
Summer is official here with Arizona having numerous days over 110 degrees already. And over seven months of no rain!
One of our readers mentioned this would be a good time of year to feature some souvenir pieces with all the travel plans during summer.
"It's vacation time, ..maybe a good time to feature souvenir pieces. The blue Vase has a hands painted palm tree and the base reads Miami Beach, Fl., the two white ones are from Coney Island Park, Cincinnati. OHIO. The others should be readable if enlarged. It's fun to image someone enjoying a vacation and bringing home a little memento of their trip!"
I checked my collection and literally have only ONE piece with a souvenir label and sadly the label is not in perfect shape - marked souvenir Ortonville, Minn - a small muggsy shaker!!!
This is as near as I could get. (Doug)
We would love to have other readers send in souvenir pictures for a continuance next month. Loved the assortment of pieces - wonder if anyone has any planters with labels on them. Obviously smaller pieces were the focus on pieces to bring home from vacation! I have always been thrilled to find pieces with Shawnee labels intact - often people soaked off labels as a detraction.
Had another inquiry about the "new" Shawnee line again - newer collectors get confused about by banks made by the more recent Shawnee company owned by Cecil Rapp. My understanding is he purchased the name when the original rights expired. It was never intended to misrepresent the items though it has caused confusion in recent years. The figurine series has always been popular and they were produced as larger banks.
The new labels are on new pottery made by Cecil Rapp of Ohio. Some of Rapp's new pottery is also marked with "Shawnee" in raised letters on the bottom. Rapp has been selling the new pottery since 1994. Since then Rapp has reproduced a set of six original miniature Shawnee Pottery figurines as banks, Farmer Pig and Girl Pig cookie jars and 5½" high Farmer Pig and Girl Pig banks.
Select other pieces have also been produced, I do not collect this newer line or the Supnick commemoratives just as a personal preference - my focus has always been on the vintage line, however many collectors do - the important thing for all of us is to collect what we truly enjoy. We just want newer collectors to understand what is vintage and what is NOT.
Hope if any of you attend Pottery Festival in Zanesville you will give us a report. The big event is the auction of Nelson and Billie McCoy's personal collection. Should be some astounding prices!!!!
Doug's Corner
I hope this sparks some responses -
One more thing, I received a request that I thought I'd pass along.
"I have one of the above Shawnee Teapots - Tom the Piper's son - 44
I have been looking either for a lid, or someone in the obverse position of having a lid, & needing a pot.
I feel like the Justin Wilson character up in a tree with a feisty racoon & he yells out to his chum 'just shoot up here amungst us, one of us needs some relief'
The pot has one (1) tiny chip in the top of the teapot, flea bite about the size of the end of a pencil that would have written this email.
All the Best!"
If you have any relief for him - contact me shawneeone@comcast.net
Shaker Display - # 8
