Its been a while since we’ve written a weekend find post, but first…
Let’s play a game:
Here’s an intriguing unmarked Art Deco piece. We bought it at the local 2A Thrift Store because it is interesting, and yet without knowing what purpose it serves.
Attached to what looks like a child’s top spinning is a chrome base and is approximately 10″ across and 9″ tall. Lifting the lid you will see a removable and textured glass insert.
Your guess? Anyone?
The answer is at the end of the post.
Mostly found locally are the weekend finds below, and others on our travels across the states is a small sampling of pieces we’ve picked up in 2026…so far.
Ceramics
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- Fiesta plate before cleaning
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- It takes some effort but worth it
We picked up these vintage Fiesta dinner plates shown above prior to cleaning. Other than the utensil marks, they are in good condition and surprisingly inexpensive. Don’t be afraid to pick up dishes that look like this.
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- Perfect, no…
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- But not scary anymore
Just scrub them vigorously with toothpaste and a touch of baking powder. It takes a bit of elbow grease to get them clean but worth the effort. Over time, and with use and regular cleaning, residual marks will disappear.
Metal and Decorative Items
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- Calling card tray
I (Chris) picked this up at the Golden Nugget Flea Market in Lambertville, NJ. Elegant in its simplicity with a delicate engraved design and fluted handle, G.A.B. (Guldsmedsaktiebolaget) produced this silverplate over nickel card tray circa 1930. Located in Eskilstuna, Sweden, the company has been in business for over 150 years and known for its production of high quality wares.
Donnart brass and stone pigeon bookend
Donnart produced this cute set of pigeon bookends circa 1930. There isn’t much information out there but this is what we found. The Franklin Die Casting Co. produced their decorative items under the Donnart label. The line employed typical Art Deco stylized animal motifs metal cast in polished chrome or brass on black painted bases.
Chrome English Candlestick
Made in England and very heavy, we have little information on this candlestick. The only online reference states it is MCM. While that is possible, it certainly fits within the Art Deco aesthetic.
Barware
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- Dial-a-recipe shaker by Keystone
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- Detail of recipe collar
This 1930s cocktail shaker produced by Keystone has an upper collar that rotates. The window reveals several recipes to help you create the perfect cocktail.
Established circa 1914 in Philadelphia, the Keystone Silver Company specialized in high-quality silver plate over copper hollowware, barware and service pieces. By the 1930s, priorities shifted to produce polished chrome, chromium-plated copper, and hammered aluminum serving pieces in the new Art Deco style. The company expanded throughout the 1940s-1950s; continuing to produce quality giftware before winding down this line and shifting their production overseas in the late 20th century.
Derby Shelton cocktail shaker circa 1930
Up next is a 1930 Derby-Shelton cocktail shaker. This shaker comes with either a stacked metal (as shown) or red Bakelite finial. Derby-Shelton started in the Naugatuck Valley region in Connecticut. They originally created and produced elaborate Victorian items before adapting to giftware in the modern aesthetics of the 1930s. Collectors know them primarily for their cocktail shakers, bar-ware and service pieces. Designer Lurelle Guild may have contributed to the design of some items.
Silverplate and Formica tray
Crescent Silverware Manufacturing Company created this between 1940s-1960. A silverplate frame and black Formica combine to create this elegant tray. Founded in New York City in 1922, this company specialized in silver-plate holloware. It moved to Port Jervis, New York, in 1939. Samuel Kirk & Son absorbed the company in 1977 ceasing as and independent entity.
Napier bar jigger
Napier produced this cute silverplate jigger. It is just 2.5 inches tall but a sweet and practical piece of deco. Originally established as Whittney & Rice in 1875 in Attleboro Massachusetts, the company became the E.A. Bliss Company in 1885. In 1920 James H. Napier became president of the organization and the company became E.A. Bliss and Napier. Napier dropped E.A. Bliss from the business’ name in 1922.
Kensington
10″ Imperial fruit bowl circa 1940
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- Another view
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- Detail of the brass legs
Kensington Marlborough Vase
We’ve written about Kensington in a prior post. Here are two new additions to the collection; the 10” Imperial fruit bowl circa 1940 and the 10″ 1934 Marlborough Vase both by Lurelle Guild. Note the use of brass accents to enhance the soft glow of the aluminum. Kensington is generally easy to find and relatively inexpensive. Best of all, the pieces are still usable as their intended purpose of design.
Chase
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- Chase Ball Cigarette Server – black/chrome
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- Interior view
Acquiring Chase items is always fun, especially if it isn’t a piece we’ve seen before. The Ball Cigarette Server is one of them. This is an apparently hard to find item and the official Chase book only lists it as coming in a white and chrome combination. Anthony in his research found an ad stating it came in white/chrome, red/chrome, black/chrome, tortoise shell/chrome and brushed copper/white. The Bakelite finial matches the accent color and this server originally cost $1.00.
Shiner Ash Receiver
Here’s a pair of unusual and highly collectible Chase Shiner Ash Receivers, designed by Russel Wright, circa 1935. Found at the Golden Nugget Flea Market, I (Chris) thought they were cute and had no idea they’re hard-to-find Chase until we started to research them. Sold in a set of two, they originally sold for $1.00
Less difficult to find is the Chase catch-all tray and often used in conjunction with creamer/sugar sets. The incised circular design adds an elegant and practical feature to your table. It originally sold for $0.75.
Chase trinket/cigarette box, circa 1936
The Chase Dolphin Box holds up to 40 cigarettes or other miscellaneous items. The black Beetle box has a chrome lid adorned with a stylized dolphin. Beetle, a plastic formulation used when the manufacturer required a variety of colors, color stability, as well as a lighter weight, is more prone to stress-line cracking. Apparently a popular item, there are fairly easy to find. Also available with a brushed brass lid, the base is available in black, red or white with the finial painted to match the box color. It originally sold for $0.50.
World’s Fair
Century of Progress souvenir handkerchief
Here is a pair of souvenir silk handkerchiefs from the Century of Progress World’s Fair . I haven’t been able to find anything specific about them.
And speaking of the World’s Fair, here are examples of two ashtrays from the 1939-40 exhibition. Black Bakelite forms the one on the left; cast aluminum on the right.
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- World’s Fair souvenir Bakelite ashtray
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- World’s Fair souvenir cast aluminum ashtray
World’s Fair cane chair
We also found the cane chair for a very reasonable price at the Golden Nugget Flea Market. These are not particularly difficult to find but check the central decal for wear from use. This one is in pretty good condition considering its age.
Ephemera
Art Deco graphic cover
Ephemera can be fun to pick up as well.
The great graphic cover by Douglass Flynn depicts the Industrial Trust Building know by locals as the “Superman Building” for its resemblance to the Daily Planet in the Superman cartoons. This 1930 The Brown Jug also has some pretty impressive sponsors.
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- Parker Duofold Pen advertisement
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- Arrow Shirt advertisement
And timely, even pithy cartoons. Bonus points if you recognize the actress featured in the cartoon to the right.
Brown University, Providence, RI, started this college humor magazine in 1920 and ceased production in 1933. Reintroduced in the 1960’s, it disbanded again a year later. It has several reincarnations since before returning to its original format in 2018 and currently releases a new issue every quarter.
Vintage Fortune magazines
We are always looking out for Fortune magazines in good condition. And remember to always check for musty or molding smells. While not impossible to remove or at least mitigate the odor, the time it takes may not be worth the effort
Happy New Year!
Postcards with great graphics are another fun collectible if space and cost are a concern. This ended up being free when I bundled it with The Brown Jug, and free is good!
Miscellaneous
Ingersoll pocket/purse travel watch
Ingersoll Watch Company produced this petite pocket/purse travel clock circ 1935. The cream and black enamel case protects the clock face when completely closed. When open, the case folds back and under, acting as a stand. The clock measures 2″ x 1 3/8″ x 3/8″. Unfortunately, while in good overall condition, it doesn’t run and sadly, the cost to fix it outweighs any intrinsic value.
Bakelite napkin ring
Here is a cute Bakelite Mickey Mouse napkin ring holder circa 1935-1942. These came in a variety of colors and originally cost $0.10 – $0.25 each. Today one ring will cost you $30 – $65 depending on the condition. But I picked this up for $5 at my local flea market!
Reproductions
As a precautionary note, always check an item over carefully before purchasing.
Reproduction Haeger vase
Clearly tagged as a 1920s Haeger vase, the bottom tag has a barcode and a copyright listing 2001. So, it is Haeger, but it is a reproduction of an earlier line. We won’t tell you not to buy a reproduction. After all, if you love it, buy it. But make sure you’re paying for what you get.
Bar coded and dated 2001
Being me (Chris), I pointed this out to the owner’s husband and he pulled it from the shelf to let her know.
And the answer is:
