What’s in a name? Sometimes a place is. We were today years old when we learned, while previewing this weeks fresh to market vintage, that Red Wing pottery is named after the town where it was made, Red Wing, MN. That set our brain on a quest to think of makers of other common vintage items that were named after the city where they were made.
Today being the first day of meteorological summer, we had given our brain the day off. So when we asked it to think of companies, it was a little pouty and resentful and did not exactly work up a sweat. All if offered up was Corningware, originally made in Corning, NY; the Syracuse Ornamental Company, known as Syroco, from Syracuse, NY; Bybee Pottery for Bybee, KY; and OshKosh B’Gosh from Oshkosh, WI. We let it know we were disappointed with its effort and it did not reply because it had gone back to day off mode.
There have to be other companies named after the cities where the company originated. So we’re asking you to think for us. Leave a comment with any company you can think of that made goods that are common in the vintage world that was named after the city or town where they were first manufactured.
But look through this week’s fresh to market vintage first!
Chinese Porcelain Shard Box
This tiny box can hold all your dreams and wishes. Or maybe, just your trinkets and small jewelry. Either way, it’s a sweet little bit of joy to add to your collection. Hint: It would make a lovely presentation box for special piece of jewelry.
Porcelain Shard Box, $39.95
-Pam, Vintage Renude
Elephant Salt & Pepper Shakers
I do love animals in hats! These two perky pachyderms are salt and pepper shakers that remind me of Disney characters. What a way to add some spice to your elephant collection
Vintage Anthromorphic S&P Set, $46.99
-Mary Ellen, Aunt Hatties Attic
Red Wing “Drink Three Star” Coffee Crock c 1920s
The history of Red Wing pottery is a storied one, dating back to 1861, when a German immigrant, John Paul, established a company in Red Wing, Minnesota, to make dinnerware and household items. The company was reincarnated many times under different names over the next 150 years until it finally ceased production in 2019. Happily for collectors of Americana, the pottery remains highly sought after, as evidenced by the fact that the Red Wing Collectors Society will be holding its 47th anniversary get-together in July.
Antique Red Wing Stoneware Coffee Crock, $125
-Linda, Selective Salvage
XtraLite Train Case Suitcase
Collecting trends for vintage luggage come in and out, but train cases are always in demand. Designed in the early 1900s to hold personal grooming products during travel, these little rectangular suitcases usually have a mirror in the lid, fabric pouches for this and that, and sometimes a tray insert. Many train cases have stains on their fabric interiors from years of toting lotions and potions and perfumes. This one has been places. It’s dinged up on the outside and there are stains on the quilted lining inside. But it also smells like heaven because a tiny hotel size bar of Cashmere Bouquet soap has been living in it for many years.
XtraLite Hard Sided Train Case, $45.
-Laurie, NextStage Vintage
That’s this week’s fresh to market vintage. Don’t forget that we gave you an assignment in the lede. Think of companies that made goods you see on the vintage market that were named for the town or city where they were located and leave them as comments.
And if you want another assignment, take a minute and subscribe to our email newsletter. It’s sent out once a week on Sunday and has links to all the posts from the previous week. We’ve peeked ahead and there are some interesting posts ahead you won’t want to miss.
