Dear Helaine and Joe: The cookie jar shown here is marked "Pearl China Co. Hand Decorated, 22KA Gold U.S.A." The jar has "Mammy" written on it as well. Is it worth anything? — T.F., Toledo, Ohio
Dear T.F.:
There are those who might find this cookie jar politically incorrect, and therefore, offensive. But it has been our experience that many of the collectors for items with these images and representations are African-American, and that suggests to us that these pieces are primarily a type of memorabilia from an unjust past.
The Pearl China Company is best known as a jobber that sold other companies' ceramics and did not make them themselves. However, there was a period when Pearl China did make its own ceramic giftware, dinnerware and kitchenware.
The company was founded in 1931 by George and Dennis Singer, but they did not start making pottery on their own until the middle 1930s, and continued doing so for about 20 years until 1958. The story goes that George Singer wanted to expand the business and he found an unused plant with three kilns and other equipment for making pottery — but it had only a partial roof.
Singer leased the building from the Hall China Company — famous for its teapots and the "Autumn Leaf" pattern made for Jewel Tea premiums — and began making "art" and novelty wares by using the slip casting method ("slip," incidentally, is liquid clay). This part of the company was acquired by Craft Master Corporation of Toledo, Ohio, in 1958 and began making collegiate-themed mugs.
Many of the products made by Pearl China were unmarked, but some can be found with various marks — including the one described by T.F. The most famous of the Pearl China cookie jars is called the "Watermelon Mammy," and it depicts an African-American woman about to bite into a piece of watermelon.
Many of these "Watermelon Mammy" jars are completely unmarked. The last one of these we saw offered for sale was priced at $2,000, and is considered to be relatively rare.
The cookie jar in today's question is actually part of a set from the 1940s and has a companion piece titled "Cooky" that is so marked on his chubby chest. "Cooky" is a male figure wearing a chef's hat and apron and has a big smile.
"Mammy" is usually written across the chest of the companion piece and it should be approximately 10-3/4 inches tall, with a bright red pocket in the apron. The figure includes a bright red bandana and — along with "Cooky" — beams convivial good cheer.
Sources indicate that the Pearl China "Mammy" is a little more valuable than "Cooky" (maybe twice as much), and the last "Mammy" we saw was being offered for retail purposes and listed for $900. This price is for an example in great condition, with excellent paint survival and the word "Mammy" clear. But an example with a small imperfection sold at auction recently for just $50.
Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson are the authors of "Price It Yourself" (HarperResource, $19.95). Contact them at Treasures in Your Attic, PO Box 27540, Knoxville, TN 37927. E-mail them at treasures@knology.net.