While many hold to the old adage that ‘you get what you pay for, in the world of collectibles that may be debatable!
Premiums and giveaways have kept the American consumer coming back for more for nearly 100 years. These instant collectibles filled many a 20th century home and a number of them are being revisited by collectors in 2018. See if you remember any of these.
One of the earliest examples of ‘something for nothing’ came to us with our morning cereal as Quaker Oats began offering a piece of a 5 breakfast set in each box in the late 1920s. These sets, when completed, consisted of a cup and saucer, 6” plate, cereal bowl and fruit cup and were made by one of the most prolific china companies of the 20th century, Homer Laughlin.
By the 1930s several of the major glass factories in the U.S. were producing lines of inexpensive glass collectively referred to as Depression Glass. Cups, plates, saucers and such were not only found in bags of flour and boxes of Wheaties, they were also given away for the cost of a movie ticket on what the theaters of the day referred to as “dish night.” Not to be outdone, the petroleum companies stepped up with a piece of free Depression Glass when you filled your tank at a participating station.
One of the longest lasting giveaways came to us enclosed in a box of America’s all time favorite snack, Cracker Jack. In it’s first six years of production Cracker Jack issued 144 different baseball cards featuring such greats as “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, Ty Cobb, and Christy Mathewson. Other early prizes included wooden toys, tin and metal machines and lithographic paper items. 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..
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 — in all 12 different pieces — were offered through out the 1950s and 60’s .
Marathon stations of the 1970s offered one of my favorite freebies, the wonderful pinch style glasses from Anchor Hocking with the characters from the comic strip B.C., by Johnny Hart. Placemats and bowls were also offered in this promotion. B.C. collectibles have maintained a following through the past 40 years and while not a high ticket item, there is always a market for them.
McDonalds Happy Meal toys were one of the top collectibles of the 1990s. BuzzFeed recently released a “The Best 1990’s McDonald’s Toys” list — see if you have any of the top 5. Coming in at #5 – 1999 Mini Furbies, #4- 1997 101 Dalmatians figures, #3 -1999 Inspector Gadget Body Parts, #2 -1993 Halloween McNugget Buddies, and topping the list of the most popular Happy Meal toys of the 1990s, the Teeny Beanie Babies from 1997.
As you hit the summer yard sales keep your eyes open for these 20th century giveaways. Last week I purchased a large stack of 1960s “Duz” Wheat pattern china piece for only $2. Not free, but very close!! Until next time . . . Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and the liquidation of estates and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or lkennett@indy.rr.com