Collecting Vintage Fish Salt and Pepper Shakers

I have collected vintage fish shaped salt and pepper shaker sets for the past 20 years. My collection consists of approximately 150 sets (I admit to losing count this year), along with the occasional lonely, single shaker. The majority of my sets were manufactured and sold between 1940 and 1980. Although shakers are made of many materials, including metal, wood, plastic, and glass, I collect only the pottery and ceramic sets. My collection has come from many sources: garage sales, flea markets, antique malls, gifts, and especially Ebay.

My "fish" were manufactured by several companies: Napco, Relco, Ucagco PY, Enesco, Victoria Ceramics, Empress, Goebel, Virginia Ann Ceramics of California, and Ceramics Arts Studio of Wisconsin. My fish salt and pepper sets have come from a variety of countries as well: Germany, Japan, Australia, England, Canada, and the United States.

The bottoms of most sets are back stamped with "Japan", or "Made In Japan", with a single color: red, blue, black, orange, or green. I find that vintage sets which still possess their original paper or foil labels are usually in the best condition. A label which remains intact after many decades indicates a set which was either seldom used, or maintained in a collection and never used. Their condition is usually mint.

Although this article concentrates specifically on vintage fish shaped salt and pepper shakers, some of the information provided may be easily applied to other types of shakers as well.

Categories

I divide my collection into three subjective categories based upon physical appearance and style.

Realistic: These shakers bear a close resemblance, in both color and design, to the living fish after which they are patterned. Both freshwater and saltwater species are represented: Blue Gill, Red Snapper, Smallmouth Bass, Barracuda, Yellow Perch. For nearly every species of fish on Earth, there is probably a salt and pepper set which represents them.

Anthropomorphic: Frequently fun and fanciful, these shakers are given human characteristics, which can include faces, eye lashes, hands, feet, and clothing. They are among my favorites, and are sometimes reminiscent of the 1950's and 1960's cartoon era.

Decorative: Although I consider all shakers to be decorative, this category contains those which are neither realistic nor anthropomorphic. While these shakers retain the general shapes of fish, their colors and designs are not really reflective of their living counterparts.

Souvenir shakers and personal historical notes

Many vintage salt and pepper sets were manufactured as souvenirs, sporting labels bearing the names of famous cities and tourist attractions from around the world. Finding these sets, with labels intact, is a treasure because they allow us to touch and to preserve a future artifact from a particular place and time. My collection contains shakers from Marineland of the Pacific (1954-1987), Catalina Island of California, the New York Aquarium, the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, and other historic cities and attractions.

A more personal touch is felt when the original owner leaves behind information which allows us to discover a bit of a set's history (date and location of purchase, original owner's name). This history is either written on the bottoms of the set, or written on a piece of paper which is then placed inside one of the shakers.

I have one set collected by a woman whose sons fought during World War ll. Her sons would send her salt and pepper sets from wherever they were stationed. This particular set has "George" on one and "Guam" on the other, all handwritten by the Mother. I keep all labels like this with the sets because they impart an invaluable sense of personal history to a collection.

Manufacturing flaws and glaze crazing

There are several manufacturing flaws which can accompany the vintage fish salt and pepper shakers. Since many sets left the factory with these flaws, they are viewed as natural, and usually do not lower the value of the set unless they are major defects. Due to their hurried mass production to meet an exploding consumer market after World War ll, you can expect to find some of these flaws. You may find extra bits of ceramic material stuck to the surface of the fish beneath the color and glaze. Occasionally, there will be color where it shouldn't be, or an area with no color at all. You may also find impressions and marks from a dirty mold or an errant tool, which were then colored and glazed after the mistake.

Glaze crazing is a condition which can occur with usage and age. There is fine crazing, consisting of very small crackling patterns in the overall surface of the glaze, which is not easily seen unless closely examined. I also find crazing consisting of longer lines which appear to be fractures of the glaze. These fractures are probably a result of design, exposure to temperature fluctuation, and usage in kitchens and at dining tables over many decades. If the sets were used, as is usually the case, they were picked up and set down thousands of times. Most sellers and buyers describe glaze crazing as a charming testament to the age of the fish, and I tend to agree.

Where to find fish salt and pepper shakers

As mentioned earlier, I have purchased my vintage sets from many different sources. Garage sales are great for the collector who is looking for bargain prices. Although I don't find as many sets at garage sales, when I do, the price is usually unbeatable. Flea markets are another good option, with increased availability and somewhat higher price. Antique malls can offer high quality sets along with, you guessed it, an even higher price.

One aspect not to be ignored with these sources is that, unlike online purchases, you are afforded the opportunity to actually see and touch, close up and personally, a prospective new additional to your collection. You know exactly what you are buying.

I buy the majority of my sets through online auctions, particularly Ebay. Ebay sellers offer a wide variety of sets from all decades, with prices and quality to suit nearly every collector's budget, interest, and need. On average, you can expect to pay between 15.00 and 50.00 dollars for a mint condition set. While sitting at your computer sipping coffee, the online hunt and purchase offers an excitement which can be quite unique.

When purchasing through Ebay

Ask Questions: Ebay, and most sellers, encourage prospective customers to ask questions before bidding and purchasing. The ceramic fish salt and pepper shakers are somewhat delicate, with their long bodies and flowing fins, and a seller's photos may not give a complete and accurate picture of the set's true condition. Many sellers also describe condition, which can range from chipped, damaged, good, excellent, to mint, while other sellers' descriptions can be brief or virtually nonexistent. If you are unsure of the condition of the set you are interested in buying, I strongly encourage you to ask questions. I advise asking questions well before the end of the auction, not the day before, giving the seller the opportunity and time to address any concerns you may have.

I ask questions only if they are not clearly answered in the ad. Remember, sellers are more likely to answer if you are polite and thank them for their time, a simple yet effective tool. During my years of collecting through Ebay, I have only received two negative responses when asking questions. One seller blocked me from bidding, and another sent a very angry return email. If you encounter this kind of seller, move on. There are many professional sellers who are very willing to answer any questions you may have.

Storing and displaying your collection

If possible, store your vintage fish salt and pepper shakers in an area where changes in humidity and temperature are minimal. This practice will help to protect your collection from further environmental and age related damage. Most home environments are perfectly fine. Most collectors enjoy "living" with their collections, admiring their beauty and sharing them with friends, visitors, and fellow enthusiasts. Curio cabinets are an excellent investment, allowing you to display them under light and away from pollutants and dust. Curio cabinets will also prevent your collection from languishing in boxes, exact contents unknown.

The motivation to collect

The motivation to collect is as varied as the number of collectors. I collect the vintage fish salt and peppers shakers because I have had a life long love affair with fish of all kinds. I have maintained both tropical freshwater and saltwater aquariums throughout most of my adult life, and still have three that I can view from my computer as I write this article. I also find enjoyment in the preservation of these pieces of history which will never again be produced. One day, when I am finished enjoying the "school", my goal is to pass them on to the next collector who will preserve them for future generations. How interesting to imagine my collection "swimming" inside someone else's curio cabinet, 500 or 1000 years from now, or perhaps even on display in a museum. They will become a wonderful memory and representation of our 20th century world, and in this effort I find merit, continuity, and the lure of hope.

Enjoy collecting these interesting pieces of history, take care of them, then pass them on. In the future, someone will notice and appreciate your effort, as I appreciate the collectors before me whose vision and care allow me to enjoy these beautiful fish salt and peppers shakers today.