And the egg cups keep coming…
Yesterday I spent time online – both on eBay and Etsy – checking out egg cups. This can be a long, laborious process because there are lots and lots of them listed, which is probably why I don’t do it very often. There are indeed less and less vintage figurals, but I do see them, so if you’re thinking of starting a collection, go for it. The great thing about egg cups is that they are very affordable and are usually priced between $5 – $10, depending on the age and rarity. Might I add that they take up very little space?
Oh, I almost forgot. I investigated freezing Mallomars and guess what? They can be frozen. Guess where we’re going later today?
Here we go:
1. A mama duck and her babies. I love the colors used on this one. It’s particularly sweet. Marked Made in Japan.
2. A Scottie dog egg cup. I’ve seen this egg cup in a white glaze, but I really like the yellow glaze and the blue collar, so I lucked out when I discovered this one. eBay, I believe. Marked Made in Japan.
3. A bunny in front of a blue egg cup. Slightly mischievous look in the eyes, don’t you think? Marked Made in Japan.
4. Egg cup with Bunny peeking around the side. Looks like he’s hiding from someone! Marked Made in Japan.
1. One of my favorites. I’ve never seen it anywhere else, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not out there. Two dogs holding up an egg cup. I love the dogs, of course, but I particularly love the detail at the top. The vertical lines and dots are very Art Deco in feeling. Unmarked.
2. A cute little pig with an egg cup on her head. Adorable. Marked with the number 10 in a circle and Japan.
3. A particular favorite and another win after a crazy bidding war on eBay. This one is so lovely. A duck and a rooster on either side of the egg cup which is sitting on green grass. The colors and glaze are beautifully done. Marked Made in Japan.
These egg cups usually sit on the little shelves in the den and are some of my very favorites.
1. I absolutely adore this one. A pig, napkin around his neck, ready to dine on an egg. Made for Tiffany by Elizabethan Staffordshire in England. Look at that face!
2. The egg cup that has the greatest monetary value in my collection. There was a whole set of these egg cups made in the late thirties for Walt Disney Enterprises. They are very hard to find nowadays. My friend Nels, who has an unbelievable collection of egg cups, told me yesterday that a few years back, in the beginning days of eBay, the entire set of seven dwarfs and Snow White might sell for up to $2000. Nowadays, they usually go for $80 – $100 each. Nels also told me that these cups were giveaways in Canada to coincide with the release of the Disney movie – whether they were giveaways here, as well, I don’t know.
Anyway, I found Doc several years ago on eBay and I think I got him for about $50. I would absolutely love to amass the entire set. Maybe I will one day! Marked ©1937, W. D. Ent. Made in Japan.
3. A little boy dressed as a cowboy. I love this guy. That face with the rosy cheeks is so sweetly painted. A reader once suggested that this one might actually be an English character instead of a little boy, so I checked my reference book (which is sort of the egg cup bible, if there is one) and it’s definitely a little boy with a cowboy hat. The same description is also to be found on other reference sites. (I love researching this stuff.) Marked Japan.
I lost him for a year or so, but didn’t know it. After an unfortunate incident where I hit my head on the shelves in my bedroom – the same incident that resulted in the broken Holt Howard rooster egg cup – this little guy rolled under our bed. But I didn’t know it at the time. A year later, I realized he was missing and began to search for him. It wasn’t until several days later that I thought to check under the bed, where he was found patiently waiting for me to put him back on the shelf.
Everything has a story.
Happy Friday.
So many unusual egg cups to choose from! I think from this grouping, I like the rooster and duck best. I’m partial to birds. Do you catalog your collection, or let these posts serve as your catalog?
I let the posts serve as the catalog, Wendy. I think I wrote everything down at one point, but I have no idea where I put it!
Good Morning Claudia, All the egg cups are wonderful . Thanks for the stories with them. Doris
You’re welcome, Doris!
Hello Claudia! The egg cups have been so interesting! Thank you for posting about them!
You’re most welcome, Lottie!
The duck and the rooster one is my fave! :-)
It’s awfully pretty, Melanie.
Happy Friday Claudia! I remember some of your past posts about your egg cups but I’m really enjoying seeing them again and reading the stories. I think my favorite so far is the pig waiting to eat his egg. So cute.
Blessings,
Betsy
Isn’t it charming? I love it too.
Claudia, Honestly, I am impressed with your collection. I have seen them on your blog a few times, but to read their descriptions , Makes them more important. Some are very old. I like reading about them. Hope you are getting better weather by now. It doesn’t looks so nice for us for the next few days. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
It’s warmer but it’s rainy. But that goes with Spring, I guess.
They are all adorable…all in their own way! ;)
Thanks, Donnamae!
Claudia, I think the detail on the Piggy waiting for his egg is amazing! In particular,the table or floor showing beneath the table cloth. This is really getting me in the spirit of the season .
Thank-You for taking your time to share with us! -Judy A-
And how could you refuse giving an egg to that adorable little pig? He’s sitting there waiting so patiently and politely!
Yes- everything has a story-glad you got your “lost soul” back into the fold. lol
I think they are all just dear. My favorite though is the hen pecking with the baby chick off to the right. My hubby’s grandfather owned a big hatchery and that makes me think of him. He was such a kind, good man. xo Diana
I’m so glad it brought back good memories, Diana!
I’m so enjoying the “Egg Cup Chronicles.” More please. And it’s fun to hear that even the cups have stories, like getting lost. PS – are you an egg-eating vegan, Claudia? And have you ever used the cups for their original purpose? Have a wonderful weekend.
I’m an egg eating vegetarian. And the only cup that was ever used for its original purpose is the one from my childhood (which was in the Part two.)
You have such a fun collection of figural egg cups. My collection seems to be much more traditional, so I really enjoy seeing yours on display. I am so glad you told me about the egg cup collectors guide and I’ve found many of my egg cups in there. It takes forever to search for egg cups on ebay and etsy I agree!
hugs,
Linda
That guide is very handy, isn’t it? Wouldn’t it be neat if they updated it?
That would be wonderful. I’ve seen many of your eggcups in there and some of mine. So fun. Today I found a turquoise Harlequin eggcup for .77 at Goodwill! WOW! Makes me so happy!
Your egg cups are enchanting. Adorable. So many are also perfect for Easter.
What a story, that some (the Walt Disneys) in the 30s would actually be giveaways; imagine! What a fun thing for someone to have, when nobody had anything in The Great Depression. Mother was pretty young in the Depression but did remember how thrilled her mom would be when she’d get the free piece of Depression glass in something practical she’d bought…a two-fer. Mom’s family was living on a prayer in The Great Depression like so many others; there was never money for ‘fancy’ things, so Mom said getting that free glass really lifted Grandma’s spirits. She wound up amassing quite a collection of Rose ‘O Sharon (Rose of Sharon), sort of a dark peachy-pink if I recall…we actually don’t have any of it, as it was given to other family members when Grandma passed. My other grandma had a few pieces of the lighter (pale) pink but I’m not remembering its name; I have her cake plate. It’s so pretty.
I’ve loved finding out about your darling egg cups. Thank you for sharing them with your readers. Have a wonderful weekend; glad you can freeze those Mallomars. Sure hope I get a chance one day to sink into one! They sound delish.
I think you are so right about there being less and less vintage figural egg cups..in all of the browsing I do of antiques, collectables, vintage, etc…I rarely see them anymore..I guess that is why I like seeing yours every year..