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They make for fascinating reading and look inspire future travel plans. And, while travel pennants no longer
terrific framed. Search for magazines without flap from automobile aerials, their colorful illustrations and over-
noticeable tears, stains, or fading, and keep sized lettering make these flags eye-catching wall displays that your
the interests of your recipients well in mind. friends will rally ‘round. Most sell at well under $25.
For instance, those who hanker for the holi- Pennant depicting Mt. Rushmore,
days should love a Better Homes & Gardens the “shrine of democracy,”
“Christmas Ideas” magazine of the early Black Hills, South Dakota.
1960s. Most, well under $25. Photo by Hank Kuhlmann
What’s on tonight? Turn the
NOVELTY SALT & PEPPERS. knob, and the salt-and-peppers rise
Spice things up out of this 1950s-style TV set.
this Christmas
with a gift of novelty salt-and-pep- And there you have it: my Top Ten of
pers! Mid-20th-century homemak- Interesting Collectible Possibilities for
ers, looking to make table settings Christmas Shopping. Of course, a walk through
more enticing, sought out S&Ps your nearest antique shop will add many (many)
that did more than just the obvious. more to that list. Will any result in a lifelong col-
How about a salt “Dish” running lecting interest? Well, here’s a personal memory:
away with a pepper “Spoon?” Or a one Christmas long ago, my Mom, knowing my
clever take on a 1950s TV set? (Just love for all things theatrical, gave me a figurine of a
turn the knob, and up pop the ‘50s-modern lady in a long flowing gown, holding
“And the Dish ran away with the Spoon!” salt-and-peppers.) Thousands a smiling mask. On the base was the ink stamp
Novelty salt-and pepper pair marked “Japan.” A Christmas gift, and
of novelty S&Ps were pro- “Comedy.” It didn’t take me long to figure out that the inspiration for a
duced during the 1950s and ‘60s, and thousands still pepper antique there was probably a similar figurine somewhere, collection:
shops today. Even better: they’re small, so a sizable collection works in a toting a frowning face, marked “Tragedy.” Sure Betty Harrington’s
limited space. Prices are nice too: many can be found at under $25 a pair. enough, a search of antique stores in those pre- “Comedy & Tragedy,”
TRAVEL PENNANTS. Is internet days turned up “Comedy’s” partner. The designed in 1950 for
Ceramic Arts Studio.
A pennant to make sure honeymooners wouldn’t wandering spirit by prompting a Ceramic Arts Studio (CAS) of Madison, Wisconsin. That discovery led to
figurines were designed by Betty Harrington for
forget their visit to New York’s Niagara Falls.
there a tireless traveler on
collecting more CAS items (LOTS more), and an eventual book on the
your gift list? Cater to that
topic. Now there was a gift that really kept on giving!
Photo by Hank Kuhlmann
collection of vintage travel pennants! If
Happy hunting! (And Happy Holidays!)
they’ve been to Niagara Falls or the Black
Hills, what could be nicer than a pennant picturing
Donald-Brian Johnson is the co-author of numerous books on design
the Falls or Mt. Rushmore? From the 1940s on, screen- Photo Associate: Hank Kuhlmann
printed pennants were a sure signifier that you’d “been there and and collectibles, including Postwar Pop, a collection of his columns. Please
done that.” Today, collectible pennants can evoke similar memories or address inquiries (or Christmas greetings) to: donaldbrian@msn.com
“Stockings” continued from page 23 the personal treats from Santa
just for us. Even if we are
the grounds of the battlefield for
services while others would seek out parents and grandparents today,
local churches and enjoy a meager having a stocking full of special
Christmas meal with residents. treats always makes the holiday
Decorations being what they sweet and the memories sweeter.
were, Christmas stockings were
hung with care onto rifles and small
hand-crafted gifts or items would
be exchanged.
Following the War, homemade
designs became extremely popular as
the “Baby Boom” took place. Craft
stores sold large varieties of knits,
stencils, and supplies for recreating
the perfect stocking at home remind-
ing everyone of a better time and of
a promise for a brighter future. Example of mass-produced stockings
from the 1960s
Mid-Century and
Hanging stockings on rifles Beyond
As the marketing of 19th century Gold Metallic Embroidery
Santa Claus kicked into high gear (Miracle on 34th Street told Vine Stockings. Various leaf shapes on
this tale when it came out in 1947), stockings throughout the vines, embroidered in gold bullion and
1950s typically featured Santa, his reindeer, and both in flight gold metal leaf sequins on purple silk
over a country home. It was not until the 1960s that the color velvet, applied to gold silk velvet.
red became the primary color for Christmas stockings. Trimmed with gold metallic vestment
Stockings also became marketing tools for other products. trims. 21” long. $549 for the pair, online.
Some were filled with candy or other small gifts from certain
manufacturers, and others had graphics highlighting Santa
holding a Coke or Elves using Kodak cameras. At left: Examples of homemade stockings
No matter what the age, the child in each of us always made from kits and personalized
holds close those memories of opening the stocking to discover with names from the 1940s.

26 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles