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Vintage Santas remain extremely affordable – almost all under $50,
primarily because they were produced in such vast quantities. After the
restrictions of World War II were eased, decorative Christmas items by
left: Standing such importers as Lefton, Napco, and Enesco flooded the market.
Santa, red velvet Cheap but charming, these imports brightened many an American
and white plastic home. Today, like individual sparkling snowflakes, they recapture—at
costume,
papier-maché least for a moment—the nostalgic appeal of a more innocent era.
head. 13-1/2” h., Time to start making that list (and checking it twice).
right: Bell-ringer, And remember:

battery-operated “He sees you when you’re sleeping,
Santa, with
light-up eyes, He knows when you’re awake;
13-1/2” h.
He knows if you’ve been bad
or good—
So be good, for goodness sake!”

from his beard to the ermine-like trim on his red costume. Since the clay – J. Fred Coots & Haven Gillespie, 1934 Santa a bit scragglier:
“spaghetti” was applied by hand, even mass-produced Santas possessed a That’s right – Ideals, 1946.
certain individuality. As for the name? The clay pieces certainly looked
like spaghetti, and the machine that extruded them was remarkably “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town!”
similar to a spaghetti press. Merry Christmas!
Flocking. Applied flocking gave ceramics the appearance of lush
velvet at a fraction of the cost. The secret ingredient: glue. Portions of
the ceramic to be flocked were glue-coated. “Flocking” (polyester fiber Donald-Brian Johnson is the co-author of numerous
bits) was then sprinkled on, adhering to the glue. Many ceramic Santas books on design and collectibles, including Postwar
were no doubt grateful for this addition of eye-catching elegance. Pop, a collection of his columns. Please address
For Santa collectors, here’s good news: a bottomless treasure trove inquiries (or invites for cookies and milk) to:
awaits! A quick check online brings up hundreds of listings for Santa- donaldbrian@msn.com
themed items, leading to one basic conclusion: no matter how many Photo Associate: Hank Kuhlmann
Santas you collect, you’ll never run out of options. “Hey, Santa – I could use some help here!”
The author attempts a bit of holiday decorating.

5 Ways To Tell If You Have A Vintage Blow Mold
5 Ways To Tell If You Have A Vintage Blow Mold

By Emily Baker, myweatheredhome.com

he popularity of holiday blow molds began in the 1940s and 1950s Do Look For Wear
– blow molds were still a prominent Christmas decoration for Remember, blow molds—unless they were never
Tmany American households even well into the 1970s. Recently, placed outside—will almost certainly have wear and
blow molds have been making a “comeback” in popularity, and now they tear. These plastic figures were made to sit out in the
are very collectible. The older vintage ones are highly sought-after. elements, and you should expect to see signs of wear
Like many vintage and antique lovers, I prefer older blow molds, but like dirt and scratches on the bottom. Often, people
over the last several years I have discovered that would try to weigh down their blow molds by filling
many people are reselling more contemporary the bottoms with rocks and other objects. So you
blow molds. Many box stores now sell blow may find an old blow mold with “debris” knocking
molds during the holidays, and many have a Santa with wear around at the bottom … I have bought many that
“vintage look.” way! Many older blow molds are sun-bleached as
It can be hard to tell a true vintage blow mold well. Lastly, cracks, dents, chips, and holes are also signs of age. Depending
from a newer one made within just the last on the subject matter of the blow mold, I will still bring home those that
decade or two, especially at first glance. With are dinged up and even cracked! They still have value
that, here are a few strategies I use to determine – in my opinion.
Vintage Santas bearing all if a blow mold is old or not. And I promise, after
signs of a great blow mold some practice, it does become easier! Do Look At The Plug
I recently found a blow mold that had an older
Do Look For Markings Trick or Treat Pumpkin electric plug. That is a quick and easy way to help
Be sure to turn your blow mold over to marked 1968 determine if you have an older blow mold. But be
look for any markings. Often, they will be aware … old and worn-out electrical plugs can easily
embossed and can be seen easily. Often be replaced with new ones (I have done just that with
there will be a date of manufacture and that is an instant way to determine some of my favorite older blow molds over the years). Vintage Plug
if your blow mold is old.
If you ever see a blow mold marked “Made In China,” you know you Do Your Homework
have a newer one. As with most reproductions, these blow molds are very Before you spend big bucks on blow molds that you hope are old, do
light and don’t feel as sturdy as the older ones. a little research. You can search online and easily
find pictures of old blow molds. Once you study
Do Look For A Barcode them enough, you should be better able to tell
If you ever see a barcode sticker on your blow them apart from newer ones.

mold, then you know it cannot be older than the I love old blow molds. My hope is this quick lit-
1970s. Companies began using UPC barcodes in tle write-up will be a helpful reference for you to
1974. Remember that anything over 30 years old is glance at when you are out “in the field” hunting
considered vintage … so even if there is a barcode, it blow molds. Happy Holidays! – Emily Baker,
may still be a vintage find. Keep an eye out for a date. https://myweatheredhome.com

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