Bartlett-Collins Salt and Pepper Shakers Value Guide

These 1940s-1950s Bartlett-Collins shakers are iconic examples of Sapulpa, Oklahoma glass craftsmanship, featuring a distinctive frosted green finish. They are highly collectible because many were hand-decorated by firms like Gay Fad Studios, turning functional kitchenware into unique pieces of mid-century folk art.

What affects the value of Bartlett-Collins Salt and Pepper Shakers?

• Condition of the hand-painted white floral motifs, as paint loss significantly reduces the $35-$40 market value.
• The clarity and preservation of the frosted green finish, which can become scratched or 'slick' over time.
• Integrity of the original plastic lids, including the absence of cracks or threading wear.
• Provenance or evidence linking the decoration to specific firms like Gay Fad Studios.

How to Identify Bartlett-Collins Salt and Pepper Shakers?

• Look for the signature frosted green glass texture characteristic of Bartlett-Collins blanks from the 1940s.
• Inspect the hand-painted white floral motifs for slight variations that indicate manual application rather than machine printing.
• Verify the presence of original plastic caps, which were standard for this era of Bartlett-Collins production.
• Check for the specific tapered or cylindrical silhouette used by the Oklahoma factory during the mid-20th century.

History of Bartlett-Collins Salt and Pepper Shakers

Bartlett-Collins was founded in 1913 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. During the mid-20th century, they became famous for their colorful kitchen glassware. Many of their items, like these shakers, were sold to decorating firms such as Gay Fad Studios, where artists added hand-painted floral designs to the plain glass blanks.