At local farmhouse auctions and sales, you will often find some type of salt and pepper shaker collection. I have seen very large china cabinets full of salt and pepper shakers. Often, the shakers have a state, a travel destination (Niagara Falls, e.g.), etc, printed on the side. Some were sold as souvenirs and told the story of your travels. Or, friends and family would bring back a new item for your collection. Of course, I had to jump on the band wagon, and it’s another great collectible!
S&Ps are a great collectible for the beginner or most seasoned veteran. These are mostly from the 50s and 60s. They are whimsical, clever, and downright fun to collect! Many collectors are more specific – dogs, cats, chickens, holidays, etc. Others, like me, just buy what’s cute or funny. Some people collect singles, but often the pairs tell a story.
You will find many of the more whimsical pairs were made in Japan. They have easy marks to discern and you can research marks, colors, etc. These are about 2” to 4” tall. So, for a collector with limited space they are great!
The shakers above are a little different channel for collecting. Many of these are made by Fire King, McKee, etc. Some are extremely difficult to find, and you may spend a lifetime looking for a specific shaker. They are also generally much more expensive than figural salt and peppers. Again, probably from the 50s and 60s, they were often part of a larger spice set or range set, which included a grease jar, flour shaker, sugar shaker, etc.
You can find salt and pepper shakers everywhere. Antique stores, thrift stores, garage sales, etc. If you’re new to collecting, this is a great place to start! Have fun!!
Jackie
Big Red Barn Blog 