Tag Archives: Cocktail Shaker

There’s no place like chrome

Chrome items of the 1930s and 1940s with their gleaming surfaces and streamline designs make a nice Art Deco statement. Though I began to collect Art Deco in 1982, I didn’t actively collect chrome pieces of the era. It wasn’t until the very early 2000s that I started amassing my large collection of these shiny objects. And it is no accident that  most of the chrome items that Chris and I own are from the Chase Brass and Copper Company. But more about Chase in future posts.

In my early collecting days, I believed that if it was chrome it must be Deco.  Yes, I was that young. My mom gave me my first chrome item, a cocktail shaker. Looking back, this unmarked shaker did not come from the 1930s. And was definitely not Deco. Most likely my grandparents purchased it in the 1950s. But it satisfied me (at the time) and it provided a stylish way to mix drinks, especially Manhattans.

 

Unmarked chrome cocktail shaker.

My grandparents 1950s unmarked chrome cocktail shaker. From the collection of the author.

If you are in the market for a vintage cocktail shaker here are some things to look out for before buying one:

1. Make sure the shaker has its little spout cap. If it doesn’t there is no way you can shake a cocktail without it making a mess.

2. Look over the top cap carefully, look for stress cracks. A little crack will get bigger with time.

3. Make sure the inside is clean. There are lots of shakers out there whose insides have become corroded. 

4. Pass on it if it has lots of dents or scratches. 

Another chrome piece from my early Deco days is a reproduction of an airplane lamp from the 1930s. Chris featured this lamp in our post Fabulous Fakes. I became aware of the original of this lamp from the book Collecting Nostalgia by John Mebane.

Collecting Nostalgia, 1972.

The paperback edition of Collecting Nostalgia by John Mebane, 1972. Image from Amazon.com

So I had a pleasant surprise when I saw it in the a shop window in Rockefeller Center in 1982. This happened to be the Sarsaparilla flagship store. For me it was a no brainer purchase.

 

Sarsaparilla airplane lamp on my half-round blue glass end table, 1983.

The Sarsaparilla airplane lamp in my first Art Deco room, 1983.

And it since then it always held a special place in my home. While it does not exactly reproduce the look of the 1930s original it is close enough.

 

Sarsaparilla's chrome and glass 1980 reproduction of the 1930s airplane lamp.

A recent photo of the my Sarsaparilla glass and chrome Airplane Lamp. From the collection of the author.

 

Then there is the Westbend Penguin Hot and Cold Server or as it is more commonly known as, the Penguin Ice Bucket. Designed by Ralph N. Kircher at the very, very end of the Art Deco era in 1941, it did not reach the market until after World War II.

 

West Bend Penguin Hot and Cold server patent application drawing, 1941.

Ralph N. Kircher’s patent drawings for the West Bend Penguin Hot and Cold Server. From Google Patents.

Being insulated like a thermos, it can be used for anything cold or hot. Though the Penguin motif seems a bit incongruous for hot soup or a casserole. Even the shape of the handles evoke the wings of a Penguin.

 

Chrome West Bend Penguin Hot and Cold server with plastic handles.

The West Bend “Penguin” Hot and Cold Server gifted to me from my aunt. Chrome with plastic handles.

 

Handle and knob detail of the Hot and Cold server.

Plastic handle and knob detail of my Penguin Hot and Cold Server.

While not technically a piece from the Art Deco era (it is much more Midcentury Modern), it is only one step removed. And I’ve had mine since the beginning of my Deco collecting days. And I didn’t have to buy it, it came to me from my aunt. It was one of three that my family owned. And just like the airplane lamp it too found a place of honor in my first Art Deco room and has been with me ever since.

 

A 1983 photo showing my chrome Penguin Hot and Cold Server.

My chrome West Bend Penguin Hot and Cold Server on my “bar” in my first Art Deco room, 1983. The “bar” is long gone, but I still have the Penguin ice bucket.

When the Penguin Hot Cold Server first hit the stores they came only in chrome with wooden handles and knob. Sometime in the 1950s plastic handles replaced the wooden ones. By far the majority of the Penguin servers are in chrome, but they also came in copper and brushed aluminum.

 

A polished copper Hot and Cold Server.

Chris’ polished copper Penguin Hot and Cold Server.

 

The West Bend Hot and Cold Server in brushed aluminum.

The brushed aluminum version with wood knob and handles. Image from liveauctioneers.com.

West Bend kept the Penguin Hot and Cold Server in production for approximately thirty years, from 1947 – 1977. When Chris and I go to an antique mall or flea market no day is considered complete until we see a Penguin Ice Bucket. On a good day we normally see three or four. They are everywhere! So here are a few tips if you’re in the market for one:

1. Make sure the insulation isn’t broken. Pick it up and shake it, if it doesn’t make a sound it is good, if it rattles it is not.

2. Smell the inside, the rubber gasket will break down with age and decompose and when it does it will start to off gas an odor.

3. Make sure the rubber gasket is smooth and crack free.

4. Look for dents.

5. Pay $30.00 or less for one in good condition. Chris and I have seen these range in price from $10.00 – $250.00. Don’t rush into buying one, you’ll find another without any difficulty.

 

For some reason I did not actively begin collecting more chrome pieces. After a long period of dormancy I picked up my first piece made for the Chase Speciality line, in 1999. Even though I don’t smoke I liked the look of the Bubble Cigarette Server and it only cost me $3.00.

 

Chase Chrome Bubble Cigarette Server.

The Chase Bubble Cigarette Server, available from 1937-1941. From the collection of the author.

 

Even though it was a small step, it was not long before Chris and I began to purchase more and more Chase items.  Future posts this summer will look at the different aspects of the Chase Speciality Line.

 

Anthony & Chris (The Freakin’, Tiquen’ Guys)

 

 

Cocktails for Two . . . or More.

1981 Facsimile of the 1930 original.

1983 Facsimile of the 1931 original.

 

Throwing a Deco style cocktail party can be simple with a few of the right pieces. To begin with a proper shaker is essential. Here are some from my collection.

Even though these are collectible they are not expensive, especially the Krome Kraft shaker. Farber Bros. made this style of shaker from the 1930’s until the 1960’s, many are found in excellent condition at thrift stores for less than twenty dollars. The Steward and Paden City shakers were less than fifty dollars each.

Another elegant way to make cocktails is a mixer. Below is the Stirring Cocktail Mixer and spoon, designed by Walter Von Nessen (1889 – 1943), for the Chase Specialty line and was in stores between 1934 and 1937.

Stirring Cocktail Mixer from the Chase Specialty Line, 1935.

Stirring Cocktail Mixer and spoon from the Chase Specialty Line, 1935.

For many years, I have used William Powell as Nick Charles in The Thin Man (M.G.M., 1934) as my cocktail mentor. Take a look at the size of the cocktail glass.

I don’t know when it happened, I think it was in the 1980’s, that cocktail glasses became the size of buckets. This is great if you want to get blind on one drink, but if you want to enjoy the evening use a vintage glass that is an appropriate size for a Martini, a Manhattan or a Bronx. Again the thrift stores or flea markets will be your best friend in finding these style of glasses.

I picked up the platinum trimmed glasses at a local Goodwill Thrift store for .99 cents each. The Farber-Cambridge glasses were purchased at the Golden Nugget Flea Market in Lambertville, New Jersey for $18.00 for the six. So it is easy to find proper cocktail glasses at very reasonable prices.

 

A great classic cocktail is the Old Fashion. It is not only necessary to have the right glass (which is short and squat), but you must also have a muddler. Chase made some great chrome Old Fashion cups and muddlers with bakelite tips. These are highly collectible and very stylish. A set like this can be found for between $80.00 to $125.00.

If drinking out of chrome plated cups does not appeal to you, try these Seneca black amethyst petal foot glasses, they would be perfect for an Old Fashion cocktail.

Seneca Glasses

Black amethyst footed tumblers by Seneca.

A Highball is a nice cool drink for the summer. Highballs are easy to make and should always, always be served in a tall glass. Too many times today a highball is served in a tumbler, take a hint from the name of the drink and use the correct glass. Below are more black amethyst footed glasses from Seneca, which are perfect for highballs. Glasses like these can be purchased at flea markets for around $5.00 to $10.00 each.

Footed black amethyst highball glasses.

Footed black amethyst highball glasses.

Of course serving cocktails with a complete set (shaker, glasses and tray) is always an impressive statement. This is the Chase “Blue Moon” cocktail shaker (early version with the bakelite ball cap) and glasses on a Chase Ring Tray. This set was available between 1937 – 1941. The shaker, designed by Howard Reichenbach (1901 – 1959) and was first sold individually in 1936. The following year Chase combined it with the Harry Laylon (1911 – 1997) designed cups and tray. Today this set has a book value of $280.00 – $320.00.

The Chase Blue Moon Cocktail Shaker, Blue Moon cups and Ring Tray, 1937 - 1941.

The Chase Blue Moon Cocktail Shaker, Blue Moon cups and Ring Tray, 1937 – 1941.

Once you get the right glasses and shakers, next come some accessories, like a Russel Wright cocktail ball from the Chase Specialty line. Even though it looks like a 1950’s satellite, it is actually from the mid-1930’s. These can either be used for cocktail franks and cheese cubes or for olives, cherries and onions to garnish your cocktails.

Chase Cocktail Ball by Russel Wright, 1935.

Chase Cocktail Ball by Russel Wright, 1935.

Here is a cocktail accessory that I have had for a while, but have yet to use – Silverice.

Introduced in 1927, Silverice was initially sold exclusively through Mary Ryan of Fifth Avenue, New York, and cost $6.00 for a box of six. The metal balls contain a liquid. Put them in the freezer and when they are frozen, place in glass. Unlike ice cubes, these won’t dilute your drink. I’m not sure what the liquid is inside Silverice, so I’m a bit leery of using them. But the box has a nice Deco design that I would put out on the bar while having a cocktail party.

Time to Party!!

Time to Party!!

Now that you have the shaker, the right glasses and some accessories, it is time to throw that Deco style cocktail party. Here are some recipes from The Savoy Cocktail Book. Please note that vodka is not seen in any of them. Save the vodka for your mid-century Mad Men 1960’s cocktail party.

 Dry Martini: 1/3 French Vermouth, 2/3 Dry Gin, 3 dashes of orange bitters. Shake well and serve in a cocktail glass. Garnish with an olive. In the 1920’s and 1930’s vermouth was used more liberally than today. The old recipes give a nicer, more mellow flavor to the drink.

 

Manhattan (Sweet): 1/2 Italian Vermouth, 1/2 Rye or Canadian Club Whisky, 3 dashes of Angostura bitters. Shake well and serve in a cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry. As with the martini, more vermouth was used back then. The color of a Manhattan should be slightly lighter than Coca-Cola.

Chester Morris preparing Manhattans in a modernistic kitchen, in 1930's The Divorcee (M.G.M.)

Chester Morris preparing Manhattans in a modernistic kitchen, in the 1930 film The Divorcee (M.G.M.)

 

Bronx: The juice of 1/4 orange, 1/4 French vermouth, 1/4 Italian vermouth, 1/2 dry gin. Shake well and serve in a cocktail glass.

Sidecar: 1/4 lemon juice, 1/4 cointreau, 1/2 brandy. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass.

Ginger Rogers and William Powell enjoying a Bronx Cocktail in the 1935 R.K.O. film Star of Midnight.

Ginger Rogers and William Powell enjoying a Sidecar in the 1935 R.K.O. film Star of Midnight.

Old Fashion: 1 lump of sugar, 2 dashes of Angostura bitters, 1/4 of an orange slice, 1 cherry. Crush sugar, bitters, orange and cherry with a muddler. Add 1 glass of Rye or Canadian Club whisky. Top off with a splash of club soda.

Highball: 1 lump of ice, 1 glass of whisky, scotch or brandy. Fill with club soda, or Ginger Ale, if desired, or a mixture of soda and Ginger Ale. Serve with a lemon peel, if desired, in a tall glass.

Griffith Jones and Jessie Matthews having brandy and soda in First a Girl (1935, Gaumont-British)

Griffith Jones and Jessie Matthews having brandy and soda in First a Girl (1935, Gaumont-British)

Tom Collins: The juice of 1/2 a lemon. 1/2 tablespoon of powdered sugar. 1 glass of Dry Gin. Shake well and pour into a tall glass. Add a splash of club soda. This is an especially  refreshing summer time drink.

 

As always, please drink responsibly, and do not go Driving for Deco, or anywhere else after cocktails. Enjoy your drinks after a long day of antiquing to celebrate your Deco finds of the day.

                                                                                                                                                                           Chris & Anthony (The Freakin’, Tiquen’ Guys)

 

George and Marian Kirby smash their car after a night on the town, in Topper (1937).

Don’t let this happen to you – George and Marian Kirby smash their car after a night on the town, in Topper (1937).