Aug 2018
by Lin Romberg
Shawnee Tales
Hope everyone is having a good summer. The weather is sure wreaking havoc across the country!!! Arizona is hot and humid but still very little rain - seems the Midwest and East is getting it all.
We had a few contributions for some additional souvenir pieces we requested from last month. Certainly something from another era. Not what we would find in today's souvenir shops!
Last month we included a bit about the New Shawnee pottery by Cecil Rapp including the banks in the likeness of the vintage animal figurines - this past couple of weeks several have been listed on Ebay and bringing high prices. I am not sure what they originally sold for - anyone recall?
A collector contributed a couple of pictures of his collection - always love to see how others display their pieces
An interesting pair of Smiley range shakers turned up last month. Appeared to be cold painted red but actually lacquer that is seen only rarely on gold range shakers but these are red lacquer bibs only. Striking pair!
Some of you may recall that I mentioned years ago returning an elephant gold/decal creamer because I thought someone had painted the ears! Mind you that was almost 38 years ago and I was an ignorant new collector - LOL!!!!!!! Always something for us to learn!
There is a side bar to the red lacquer range shakers as around the same time there was an auction listed for an unusual Smiley cookie jar also with red lacquer bib but it was also a glazed jar with the typical ears, eyelashes, buttons and hooves - unlike any cold painted jar. Seller had a buy it now and a best offer - my dilemma was my friend who hopefully was getting the shakers, I definitely did not want to step in front of him but let him know I was going to buy it. Always nice to not out bid or step in front of friends interests - he was gracious but I have to admit I felt he might have thought I was being rather selfish but if so, he never said a word and we talk often! A method to my finagling - the shakers and jar belong together - I have had a difficult time keeping a secret - have been bursting to tell him - HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAD SOLBERG - next trip to Arizona YOUR jar is waiting to be united with the shakers. Now you know why I couldn't tell you about the subject for the newsletter!!!!!
So many oddities out there to be discovered - years ago I bought a Smiley blue bib with gold shamrock base - peculiar but was thrilled to acquire him!
Buttons have worn gold, but notice - no gold "Smiley" on the belly.
