This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon: July 23, 2008 - They are miniature throwbacks to a bolder time, when the art of publicly poking the gums for a stray morsel of meat was no more indelicate than peppering a baked potato. From about 1880 to 1910, in fact, a pressed-glass or china toothpick holder was as much a fixture on the well-appointed Sunday dinner table as the family silver.
But while the golden age of the decorative American pick holder was relatively short-lived, the little containers have spawned an entire category of vintage collectibles. Hundreds of enthusiasts scour flea markets, antique shops and Internet sites for an astounding variety of shapes, patterns and colors.
Some of the holders - called simply "toothpicks" by collectors - can be had for a few dollars. But the rarest and most desirable examples often command prices in the hundreds and, sometimes thousands, of dollars each. In the past year, a one-of-a-kind plated amberina holder made by the New England Glass Co. sold for a record $10,000.
Around the turn of the century, about 50 to 60 glassworks companies - many in Ohio - turned out thousands of holders. Many were sold as parts of sets that often also included salt and pepper shakers.
Bob Williamson is a professional farm manager from Chatham, Ill., just south of Springfield, and an avid toothpick holder collector. He comes by the passion naturally: his mother had a small collection of about 10 holders she displayed on a shelf in the family home.
Over the past 10 years, Williamson has added to the accumulation at every opportunity. His collection now totals between 300 and 350 pieces, most displayed in cabinets in his home. The glass holders are usually clear, blue, green or amber.
He says there are about 4,000 recognized patterns of holders - with names like Indiana Swirl, Beaded Shell and Locket on Chain. Nearly all are about 2 inches tall. Holders that are either shorter or taller usually were made for something other than toothpicks.
A seasoned collector can recognize a vintage holder from a newer one almost immediately, Williamson said. Most of the older holders are have flared tops while newer holders usually are "straight up and down." He added that a veteran in the hobby also can "feel" the difference between older and newer glass.
He said he looks for perfect pieces, with no cracks or chips. "I like intricate holders, ones that are pleasing to the eye," he says. "The plain Jane ones, they don't do anything for me, and I stay away from them.
"I'm on eBay about every day, looking to see what's new. On any given day, there are probably 1,000 holders listed," Williamson said. "There's a lot of sterling silver. I really don't do that. But Brazil and Argentina have some fantastic sterling holders."
Williamson is a member of the National Toothpick Holder Collectors Society (NTHCS, www.nthcs.org), which has 600 members across the U.S. and Australia. The society is holding its 33rd annual convention July 31-Aug. 3 at the Hilton Springfield hotel in downtown Springfield, Ill.
Organizers say the public is invited to two seminars on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 2: an 8:30 a.m. seminar on insuring collectibles and a 9:30 a.m. seminar on European figural holders. The public is also invited to an exhibit and sale of holders from 2 to 4 p.m. that same day.
Founder of the society, Judy Knauer of Westchester, Pa., said she began collecting holders when she was a child. One of her first was a gift from her beloved Great Aunt Bertha whose personalized holder remains a prized piece in her collection.
It was an advertisement seeking other collectors that led to the formation of NTHCS in 1973.
One of Knauer's favorite collecting stories involves a holder she purchased on the coast of Maine for $18. The dealer described it as "cheap Midwestern stained glass," but Knauer recognized its value of several hundred dollars.
Most holder collectors are older, according to Knauer. "Our membership is dwindling," she added. As a result of the lessening demand and auction sites like eBay, the values of many are coming down, with the exception of "some of the very rare pieces."
Knauer has no intention of selling items from her personal collection, which she estimates at a couple of thousand. "I've got them pretty much all over the house," she said. "Pressed glass is still my favorite, but I also collect porcelain, metal, European figurals. There is such a variety. I just love them."
Heartland Focus On:
Creve Coeur Antique Mall, 1275 Castillons Arcade Plaza, Fee Fee Road and Olive Boulevard, Creve Coeur, Mo. 63141, Phone: 314-434-6566.
The mall is mid-size to large and has wide aisles and relatively well maintained booths, although there are some exceptions. Once upon a time, and not that long ago, it was a gold mine of unexpected treasures. It has tired a bit over the past couple of years and has a bit too much garage sale schlock now to classify it as a top antique mall.
Still, the staff remains friendly, enthusiastic and very helpful. And a thorough search still will uncover a true bargain. A recent stop turned up a great 1948 Paramount Pictures movie press book for "Road to Rio," one of the more notable of the Bob Hope-Bing Crosby-Dorothy Lamour road flicks.
Browsers will find lots of jewelry, advertising pieces, vintage books, records, housewares and one entire booth crammed with older and newer cameras and equipment.
A few items seen recently and tag prices:
- St. Louis Cardinals small 1982 World Series pennant: $25.
- The Pageant and Masque of St. Louis, a 1914 book detailing the grand Forest Park celebration telling the story of the founding of the city: $28.
- Circa 1960s Stix Baer & Fuller ladies hat box decorated with butterflies: $8.99.
- Circa 1950s Bunny Esmond pelage baby blanket with an elephant design and the original tag: $24.95.
- 1957 Shirley Temple doll in pink dress and hair bow: $125.