384.Boxed: HEE-HAW, 1970

At the National Museum of American History, one can find on display a tin lunch box of HEE-HAW, a musical comedy show on CBS, which ran from 1969-1972. The popular show starred Buck Owens and Roy Clark.

The lunchbox was made in 1970 by King Seeley.  The lunch box has a metal snap for a hinged lid and a collapsible red, plastic handle. The exterior features images from the country variety television show.The TV lunchbox is shown with an unused coloring book, an authorized edition from the same HEE HAW TV show.

361. 50s KITCHENWARE KABOODLE

Recently seen at an estate sale---assorted domestic ware--mostly vintage thermos, water dispensers, kettles and enamel ware,from the 50s and 60s.

Of interest are these two insulated water jugs. The example below even has a faucet spout and has a porcelain inner core, lined with cork. The aluminum caps date the 2 from the 50s.

A water kettle is another great example of utilitarian enamelware that were made cheaply and mass-produced since the mid 1800s. This midcentury kettle shows signs of use but is in stable condition, despite years of oven-use. I wonder how many cups of hot water for coffee or tea has been boiled in this kitchenware!

I wasn't really interested in such wares but this goes to show the range of items now being sold as collectible--to be used again, perhaps, by some vintage-minded fellow, in his vintage kitchen of his vintage home!

295. Toby or Not To Be: JESTER CHARACTER CUP

I couldn't help but stare back at  this character mug when I chanced upon it at a Makati thrift shop. Fairly small, with some crazing, it looked definitely old, reminiscent of the toby mugs of yore depicting a character in history. Technically, a toby jug depicts a whole person, while a character jug shows just the face, but these ceramic creations share one thing in common--they are all highly collectible!

This example is unmarked--Royal Doulton currently makes the most desirable toby cups and jugs--but the finish of this face jug is superb, the colors vivid and appealing. So off  it went to my collection of kitschy ceramics, that includes dozens of lady head vases. I'll probably use this cup, so every time I drink my coffee, I can face-off with this cool, jester dude from the 50s!!