by Linda Romberg
June 2012
Shawnee Tales
Hope everyone enjoyed the Memorial Day weekend across the country, maybe some of you were able to take in some flea markets and find pieces for your collection.
My friends new Smiley with hair arrived and he is happily residing in southern California - here's a picture of him - what a beautiful full toupee with gorgeous rosy cheeks.
May was a busy month with several nice finds. Received a note from long time collectors about a miniature Muggsy figurine - something I had never seen or heard of - have any of you????
"We went to the Gold Rush Show yesterday and found the littler Muggsy figurine. It reminded us so much of the large figurine, that we took a chance. There's a sticker on the bottom of the small one: F.W. Woolworth Co and the price looks to be .29. Tried to get a picture of the sticker but couldn't get close enough for it to be readable. Any thoughts on this little "guy"?
I was delighted to have had friends tell me about a nice Smiley cookie jar with small pink flowers AND hand painted red hearts on the bib. We had called the auctioneer for a detailed description of the jar to be certain I wasn't buying a "pig in a poke". I was super disappointed when it arrived as the entire front of the jar had been repaired - had the dull feel of over glaze and was quite noticeable on the interior that the front of the jar had been redone, surprisingly the decals were not affected but the gold buttons in the front were dull - the jar would not ring, such a shame as a pretty jar and loved the idea of the extra paint on the bib which did cover up two imperfections - contacted the auction house and sent it back - still waiting on resolution - they appear to be very reputable so hoping to receive the credit. Sadly when sellers (even auction houses) are not pottery experts, it can be difficult for them to detect flaws or repairs that we as collectors are concerned about. This jar could have been mistaken for a heavily soiled jar in need of a good cleaning - the head sparkled when cleaned but sadly the base did not and just not worth the high price. Had it been cheap I would have settled for it. With a twenty percent buyers premium and packing and shipping of $50 plus return shipping, it is a costly error. Even on Ebay often we find novice sellers who do not understand hairlines and chips nor how to describe the pottery in detail. Use caution and whenever possible do call or email for detailed information.
Other collectors sent in a picture of another Smiley with hair that they discovered on their travels - beautiful jar and note the hand painted decals on the base - I have one with a base like it that came out of Pennsylvania years ago - have only seen these hand painted decals on a Lucky cookie jar instead of the usual decals.
Doug's Corner
My shaker watcher informs me there is a flood of fake Shawnee elephant shaker on ebay.
REAL >
Below - unreal, or lets just say FAKES.
Everyone has seen the Children on Shoe planter in solid colors, occasionally with a few strokes of gold. This one is a rarity with the iridescent glaze. Probably a lunch box piece for someone special.
Gold doesn't photograph well sometimes. The different angle in the right picture shows it accurately.
I have a soft spot in my heart, maybe just my head, for some of the older normally plain pieces when they get dressed up.
One last thing. Someone's economy isn't down the tubes yet. Did you notice the $944 GT Deer figurine on Ebay? Without question, a treasure.
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