| The fifties
were a great period of design, with whimsical interpretations of lamps,
french poodles, and other aspects of everyday life turned upside down from
the proletarian design of the 1940s. Today, the 1950s
and 1960s are one of the hottest collecting areas, and right up there
with the very best is the "pixieware" of the Holt-Howard Company of Stamford,
Connecticut. Holt-Howard was created in 1948 by John and Robert Howard
and A. Grant Holt, and the company from the beginning concentrated production
on whimsical kitchen items and giftware. Animal themes quickly made their
way into the design, with rooster egg cups and cat string holders, and
even Santa Claus worked his way in with his own cookie jar.
Pixieware is what the company is best remembered
for, produced from about 1958 until the early 1960s. Pixieware is immediately
recognizable for the elf heads which adorn the condiment jars and other
kitchenware, painted with bright colors and clever facial expressions from
happiness to sadness. The pixieware collection includes 12 different condiment
jars, salt and pepper shakers, 3 liquor decanters, 5 cruets, and specialty
items like ashtrays and ice cream sundae dishes. Holt-Howard production
is marked Holt-Howard © followed by the year of manufacture, plus
Japan. Condiment jars are particularly collectible and are white with verticle
stripes, and the name of the condiment is painted in black letters on the
jar. For other pieces like liquor decanters, the name more commonly appears
on the figure's head. The jar head has a spoon or two-pronged fork which
went down into the jar and was used to scoop out the condiment.
Other manufacturers soon started copying
Holt-Howard pixieware due to its popularity. Some of the companies to look
for, which have become collected in their own right, are Davar, Lefton,
Norcrest, M-G, and Lipper Mann. As with most collectibles, some pieces
of pixieware are more common and less expensive than others; for pixieware,
it tends to be the standard ketchup and mustard jars and other common condiments
that are easiest to find. Rare pixieware includes specialty condiments
such as Honey or Chili Sauce, or a variation like Instant Coffee. Holt-Howard
pixieware commands by far the best prices. While you can still find pixieware
at reasonable prices, be careful with the condition as many of the spoon/fork
attachments to the lid have been broken over the years. Make sure that
the head color and the color on the body of the jar are the same, and look
for the Holt-Howard mark since most all H-H production was marked.
Holt-Howard ceased production
in 1990.
Ever been fooled by
a fake or a seller that didn't deliver the goods as described?
At Collectics, we authenticate and stand behind everything we sell, at
prices "30% below your local antique shop" according
to Collectibles Guide 2008. Please browse our main Antiques
& Collectibles Mall to find a treat for yourself or
a great gift for others, all with free shipping. Thanks!
Buy
period Holt-Howard and other vintage items for your kitchen on the Collectics
Kitchenware
pages, or search the entire site for great antiques,
collectibles, and crafts for every collector!
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