Metlox Cookie Jars

Metlox Cookie Jars are among the most popular vintage collectible cookie jars. In part, people collect items like this because of fond childhood memories. Another reason for rising popularity is that old cookie jars are decreasing in prices due to tenuous financial times. The Metlox line is no exception to the rule. On any given day pricing can be up or down, so it's good to have a feel for "average" costs so you can find a bargain.

Lions & Tigers & Bears

Metlox produced Cookie Jars known for their animal depictions. Here is a brief list of some of the animals and what's considered a fair market value as of this writing (provided the item is in good condition):
- Ballerina Bear: $100
- Circus Clown Bear: $750
- Panda Bear: $100 (with lollypop - $500)
- Uncle Sam bear - $600
- Flamingo: $700
- Frosty penguin: $80
- Parrott: $300
- Calico cat: $150
- White Scottie: $200
- Purple cow: $300 (yes, really)
- Rabbit on cabbage: $125
- Seal: $600
- Whale: $85

Mind you, animals weren't the only thing in the Metlox repertoire. Some other popular cookie jar figures include an apple ($60), grapes ($150), Pear ($175), Chef's Head ($400), Dutch girl ($200), a space ship ($500) and Little Red Riding Hood who fetches upward of $1,000!

Metlox Potteries - History

Metlox began in 1921 as Proutlyline Products. At this juncture the company only dealt in architecture. It wasn't until 6 years later with the opening of the Metlox factory in CA that ceramic signs began being featured as a product.

During the Depression the family realized it needed to switch things up to survive. So in 1932 they added dinnerware called Poppytrail. Consumers loved this line, but even with the popularity it wasn't until the late 1940s that Metlox would begin making a real mark with ceramic figurines, thanks greatly to two designers - Bob Allen and Mel Shaw.

The only real mistake Metlox made was not switching from hand painted dinnerware to more standard designs. By 1989 that proved to be the company's undoing and the Metlox Potteries closed.

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