Condition of Your Vintage Cookie Jar
One of the most important aspects to consider when purchasing your vintage cookie jars is its condition. Most older cookie jars do not survive in mint condition due to the normal wear and tear of everyday life. The following are some things to consider when shopping for older cookie jars:
Chips and Cracks - chips and cracks reduce value. As per Mike Schneider in The Complete Cookie Jar Book, chips that show reduce the value 40 percent and chips that do not show reduce value 25 percent. Tight cracks reduce value by at least 50 percent and open cracks reduce value by 75 percent.
Lids or Bottoms Only - as per Mr. Schneider, pay about 35 percent or less of the going price for a lid or a bottom.
Factory Flaws - full value should not be paid on factory flawed jars, according to Mike Schneider, considering that you can find jars in better condition for the same price. Some factory flaws that can be found on vintage cookie jars are spots on the jar where the glaze is thinner and small shards that stuck to the jar and then were glazed over. The little holes in the glaze on the bottom of the jar are not factory flaws and do not decrease the value. They are caused by the objects the jar rests on during firing to prevent the jar from coming in contact with the kiln.
Restoration - there is no true consensus among collectors regarding restoration. I guess its a matter of personal taste and opinion however, a jar that has been repainted in such a way that it loses its authenticity, greatly reduces its value and in my opinion, most of its charm.
Chips and Cracks - chips and cracks reduce value. As per Mike Schneider in The Complete Cookie Jar Book, chips that show reduce the value 40 percent and chips that do not show reduce value 25 percent. Tight cracks reduce value by at least 50 percent and open cracks reduce value by 75 percent.
Lids or Bottoms Only - as per Mr. Schneider, pay about 35 percent or less of the going price for a lid or a bottom.
Factory Flaws - full value should not be paid on factory flawed jars, according to Mike Schneider, considering that you can find jars in better condition for the same price. Some factory flaws that can be found on vintage cookie jars are spots on the jar where the glaze is thinner and small shards that stuck to the jar and then were glazed over. The little holes in the glaze on the bottom of the jar are not factory flaws and do not decrease the value. They are caused by the objects the jar rests on during firing to prevent the jar from coming in contact with the kiln.
Restoration - there is no true consensus among collectors regarding restoration. I guess its a matter of personal taste and opinion however, a jar that has been repainted in such a way that it loses its authenticity, greatly reduces its value and in my opinion, most of its charm.