Some folks collect coins or stamps, some prefer the glamor of 1800s French furniture and then there are those who invest their money in fine art. But, if you are looking for a genre of collecting that won’t break the bank, why not try your hand at the wide and varied field of “premiums?” There is something here for everyone from bath towels to Star Trek badges, and the search is half the fun.
In an effort to help raise spirits and stretch budgets during the Great Depression many companies started giving away “premiums” when you purchased their products. From 1933-1975 Kraft offered their processed cheese spread in colorful 3 1/2”, 3 3/4” and 4 1/2’ reusable, Hazel-Atlas glasses which they called Swanky Swigs. “Swankies,” as collectors call them, were manufactured in 18 patterns including stars, solid color bands (the only hand painted design), flowers and animals. Although several other food companies produced their version of decorated reusable glass containers, only those from Kraft are considered by glass collectors to be authentic Swanky Swigs.
Television has always been a surefire way to influence the buying public, so is it any wonder when Porter Wagner (with a very young Dolly Parton by his side) told us to go buy Breeze detergent, we did! From 1956 through the mid-1970s, large floral pattern towels were free in each box of detergent and collectors loyally purchased the product each week in an effort to collect full sets of the inexpensive and somewhat scratchy towels.
Duz Detergent was a mainstay in the American home for many years, but they noticed as they entered the 1950s that sales were starting to lag. The promotional idea that they developed not only sent sales soaring but it gave us one of the more collectible patterns of china from this era, Homer Laughlin’s “Golden Wheat.” Luncheon plates, platters, soup bowls and nine other pieces were offered from 1949 to 1966.
For two short years, 1971 and 1972, Marathon gas stations offered one of my favorite freebies, the wonderful cereal bowls from Anchor Hocking (Fire-King) featuring the characters from the comic strip B.C., by Johnny Hart. Each piece will be signed by the artist on the side of the bowl and carry the embossed “Fire King Anchor Hocking Made in USA” mark on the bottom. Finding these in good condition is becoming rare but they do surface at yard sales and flea markets, so be on the lookout.
The cereal industry offered many premiums the last half of the 1900s and while the quality of the toys may have been questionable, kids couldn’t get enough of them! Post, General Mills and Kellogg’s were in fierce competition to corner the market, offering Fred Flintstone’s car, the Flintmobile in Pebbles, three different Surfers in Cap’n Crunch and in a box of Sugar Smacks you could get “official” Star Trek badges. One of the favorites with teens were the boxes with a vinyl record on the back. All you needed was a pair of scissors and you could cut out the record and listen to the latest release from the Archies, the Jackson 5, or the Monkees while you ate your breakfast.
One of the longest lasting giveaways came to us enclosed in a box Cracker Jack. The first toys made of wood, tin and metal appeared in the late 1920s. “Made in Japan” lithograph tin whistles were popular in the 1930s and during the 1940s war toys were a favorite. The race for space in the late 1960s was reflected with space ships and polyethylene space men. Coin holders, magnifying glasses, and slot machines appeared in the 70s and 80s and the favorite toys of the 1990s were metallic stickers. Cracker Jack toys have delighted children for decades with over 18 billion “prizes” included with their product since 1912. Until next time . . . Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or lkennett@indy.rr.com
