I Knew Where Hazel the Rooster Was All Along, Miz Chicken. And Today's Lesson From God.

At least now with the new harem he doesn't have to get his rocks off like the rest of these sorry critters.

I'm not a cookie jar collector but when I see something in good condition or a seemingly good deal I tend to snap it up.  Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose.

I paid $2.50 for this cookie jar (it was half off at the Olney Illinois thrift store) and didn't notice until I got it home that the freakin' churn handle finial had been VERY BADLY reattached prior to my ownership.  Yes, it's totally obvious but after I'd entered that store I pretty much lost my ability to see or think straight.   All's not lost, however, since even though it's unmarked it's definitely a McCoy cookie jar so hopefully I'll be able to sell it and make a little profit.  In good condition, they go for about $60.

Cookie jar number 2 has a picture of a handshake and the words Roseville Ohio on the bottom.  There's not a ding or scratch on it and it really looks brand new.  However, it's not--after about an hour of Googling, I finally discovered that it was made by Friendship Pottery in Roseville Ohio who were in business from 1973 until 1999 when their factory burned down.  They also made pottery for Longaberger for a couple years.   Most of Friendship's pottery has the spongeware look that I detest but I like this cookie jar--it's simple and the clown is cute.

OK--now here comes the "if it seems like it's too good to be true, it's too good to be true" story.  I LOVE Westmoreland Glass and own several beautiful pieces of it.  Many people are familiar with their milk glass Paneled Grape pattern and I'm a big fan.  I decided to see what I could find on eBay before we went to Illinois and successfully won a beautiful pair of 4" candlesticks for a very reasonable price.  Then I find what could concievably turn into an incredible deal: a Paneled Grape sugar and creamer PLUS a 12" tall cookie jar.  When I joined the auction the package was at about $55.  They had beautiful photos and great descriptions, identifying everything as Westmoreland Glass (including photos of the "WG" logo on the bottoms and lids), even mentioned and showed the crack in the handle of the creamer.  I was interested in getting the cookie jar, since I'd hauled out my Westmoreland book and, after I realized that it was actually the Cherry pattern and not Paneled Grape, I didn't care since the book value is $200. 

Remember now, I'm reading up on this pattern while the auction is still going on.  So guess what--I won the package for $61 plus s/h for a total of $81.  Then I go on vacation for a week and when I got home I retrieved my boxes from my neighbor, who said they'd arrived the day after we'd left.  I pulled out the heavy cookie jar, admiring the EXCELLENT job of packing (bubble wrap and cotton wrap and yards of cellophane binding) and promptly photographed my beauty.  And it IS beautiful and in PRISTINE condition, considering that this pattern was produced in the 60's.

Then for some reason I decide to read again where my cookie jar is worth $200 and have a little chortle and at that time read the following words (which I had obviously missed the night of the auction):  "The cookie jar has been reproduced in many colors.  Please view the picture of the bottom of the cookie jar on page 35.  Original jars must have a star, a circle in the center and a "WG" in the center of the star.  If any of these three items are missing it is new!"

Well of COURSE I have the reproduction.  It's like God said, "Hey, I let you score on that dinette set but if you get greedy I'll take you dooooowwwwwn, missy."

Thanks God.  Always good to know You're on Your toes making sure I don't get tooooo cocky.

P.S.  I did contact the seller even though by the time I realized my stupidity the 3 day return period they offered in the auction was long gone.  He has not replied to my email and I doubt that he will at this point.