For those of you who know me, and for those of you who don’t, my booze of choice is Vodka. It’s the kool-aid with so many options it can be hard to decide what to drink next, and when your finished drinking you can simplify your cleaning habits, and maybe sneak a slurp or two! My drink of choice is an extra dirty Vodka martini, three olives, preferably with Grey Goose or Belvedere. Yes, I know there are stupidly expensive, supposedly more smooth than rain vodkas like, Crystal head vodka, by the blues brother himself, Dan Aykroyd. But a good quality Vodka shouldn’t cost more than $20-$30 bucks a bottle. However, anything below $10 bucks a bottle save your self the trouble, run to Target and buy yourself some rubbing alcohol. It’s cheaper and tastes about the same . Ok, obviously I am not condoning such ridiculous behavior but cheap Vodka feels like jet fuel down your throat. If you can’t afford the good stuff, wait until you can.
Crystal head vodka
Part of the allure and fun of drink making is the ritual of making the drink. Due to the resurgence of such drinks like the martini and the cosmopolitan, there has been a renewed curiosity with cocktail shakers. More importantly the revival of pre WWII cocktail shakers. The height of their decorative popularity was between WWI and WWII. However, when WWII began the heyday of the luxury item ceased and all metal went to the war effort, therefore they have become highly collectible!
1927 Lighthouse Cocktail shaker
This cocktail shaker shown above, from Cocktailshakers.com is made by International Silver Plate, and is one of the rarest cocktail shakers around. Mainly due to its enormous size, and it has been preserved in such magnificent condition it comes in at $23,900!
Manhattan cocktail shaker
Also by CocktailShakers.com, this shaker by Revere Bel Geddes is ca 1936. Pulling in a price tag of $3900, this set is highly collectible and equally rare because it includes the cups, which were only made between 1936 and 1940.
Instant Style that’s affordable:
Vintage cocktail shakers are a great way to add immediate style to your bar, and are a fun item to look for and collect. They are also very fun to incorporate into your decor. Many of them have sharp lines, energetic pops of color,and a spirited history. For those interested in collecting and thinking this sort of thing is out of your price range, not to worry. Many sets are available in the $150-$300 price range.
4 Vintage Cocktail Shakers everyone needs to know
1) The Skyscraper
Vintage Cocktail shaker
Deemed the skyscraper for their unique sleek shapes, iconic asymmetrical spout and staggering height. Drink up!
2) Revere
Revere Cocktail Shaker
The epitome of Art Deco design many of W.A Weldon’s pieces were designed in the mid to late thirties. This iconic cocktail shaker is a great example of modern 1930’s American design. It was designed by William Archibald Welden in 1938 for the Revere Copper and Brass company.
3) Chase
Chase Cocktail shakers
Also during the Art Deco period in the mid to late thirties was the Chase Brass and Copper company. Their shakers were streamlined polished chrome and included Bakelite accents, jewel color and their iconic tops. While they made several shaker styles, this shaker shown above, to me, embodies THE chase cocktail shaker.
4) The Zeppelin
The Zeppelin Cocktail Shaker
The Zeppelin Cocktail shaker was introduced in 1928 with nickel plated body and gold inserts containing the following: four cups, one funnel, one strainer with juicer, cap and body, nose cone, decanter, tail and cover for sugar, cup & cover for dried fruit, muddler, and finally a cork screw. The zeppelin comes in many shapes, but always holds true to it’s iconic silver bullet style.
Tips for collecting:
- Design-Look for whimsical and clever designs. The Zeppelin, a lighthouse, or a women’s leg are most valued amongst collectors. Anything with unusual shape and style
- Manufacturers-Chase, International Silver, and Revere are known for their silver-plating. If you prefer glass look for shakers by Cambridge Glass, Hawkes Glass company or Hazel Atlas,( known for their cobalt blue glass.)
- Pricing-Styles that were mass produced bear a lower price tag for collectors. These pieces can be picked up for less than $200 while rarer finds by designers like Geddes or Russel Wright can run into the thousands. (hence the $23K price tag of the lighthouse)
What to avoid:
- Avoid pieces with dents, scratches and flakes. Major damage will lower the value and will not appreciate in value.
- Examine a glass shaker closely for any major chips, cracks or scratches
- Color-The more brilliant the color the higher the value. Look for bright, clear colors for glass. For instance cobalt blue was the hardest to produce and therefore commands the highest price tag.
- Reproductions-Be sure the piece you are buying is authentic. Get to know the shakers you love. Learn their history and do your homework before you purchase. Most shakers have patent numbers, manufacturer inscriptions or stamps.
Vintage cocktail hour
Where to buy:
Having an afternoon toddy was a favorite past time of many Americans during the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. It was considered an entertaining essential to all get together’s. For this reason the cocktail shaker is fairly easy to find. Antique malls, flea markets, swap meets and places like Ebay.com, Cocktailshakers.com and 1stdibs.com are also excellent online resources. And you will never have more fun than looking for one, and when you find a set that sings to you, you’ll be hooked!
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I think you need a cat shaped shaker!
Wow – who knew there was so much to learn about cocktail shakers! Really interesting post, and now you’ve got me wanting to start a collection 🙂 As much as I love the lighthouse shaker, it’s just a bit out of my price range 😉 I love cobalt blue, so maybe I’ll keep an eye out for one of those ones.
BTW, my favourite drink is a strawberry daiquiri made with Bailey’s instead of rum. Yummy! 🙂
So, you’re one of the people that cause my husband to have to repeat his martini order over and over again to make sure it has gin! He always shakes his head when the waiter leaves and says, “Who drinks vodka martinis?” 😉
PS I bought a really interesting vintage shaker on Etsy with recipes all over it.
Before I comment on the shakers, I just have to say that Harley the Kit Kat is the best sign off to every post. I so enjoy them! As for the shakers, I totally partook of Vodka last night myself. I am not experienced in the substance, but it was rough!! Everyone else said it was smooth, so now I’m very curious to know if I had the good stuff or not!! I am loving these shakers. Love them 🙂
Thanks for your insightful information, Amanda on collecting barware/shakers. I work for Veranda Magazine, and I’m currently into the ‘vintage barware collectibles right now. It is due to my daughter. My daughter has a booth selling vintage/current barware at the Brooklyn Flea market a few Saturday’s a season. It’s her thing, and I go with her each time. She said her inspiration came from my Japanese carved bar (light wood not the typical dark wood) and my barware that I’ve been collecting and received from family since the ’60’s.
My new inspiration – a cane bar and a removable tray I bought last summer at a sale for $70 and then had it stripped, painted glossy black and the brass balls cleaned and shined. Just a mere $500! OMG! Since then, I’ve collected some very interesting decanters: Kosta, Cartier (who knew?) Baccarat, Orrefors, Moser, Daum,Tiffany, Waterford, and others along with shakers of different types – I happen to also buy beautiful cocktail pitchers with the assorted barware – stirrers, olive stick/spoon, ice buckets, champagne buckets etc. I now have to sort it out and use only the “things” I love the best and then let my daughter/friends have the left-overs. Yes, I definitely got carried away.
Thanks for your inspiration and knowledge, Amanda, as well as letting us share our thoughts on something that is so much fun. Can you imagine having two bars in an apartment in NYC? I do, and I love it. So all of you who have found Amanda’s fabulous blog, be sure to follow your dreams and set up a beautiful bar. It only takes a small tray, a decanter, a shaker, some glasses and you are on your way! I promise you won’t be able to stop collecting. Note that my daughter has a small studio apartment with a table in her entry way with barware so one can find a “space” even in small living quarters!
Cheers, and keep up the good work, Amanda!
GF
Hello, I can across an original Zeppelin shaker at a recent estate sale and was wondering if anyone could help with a value on the item. Thank you so much for any help. Thank you so much.
George
U cannot possibly be originally from Albion MI, right? If so, however, I hope all is well with you!
Georgia
Nope, Im from nashville!
Today I purchased the same boston lighthouse shaker from ur article from a resale store-it is very nice. I would like to know the current value and perhaps sell it . Ty I can send pix
Hi. I have been collecting for many years . I have about 175 different shakers and many duplicates and sets. I had a beautiful display but have moved to a townhouse and find it hard to enjoy them packed away I would like to see the collection sell as a collection.
Allan
Sounds like its time to look at etsy, chairish, or first dibs!
Good luck!
Amanda
Hi Amanda,
A friend has a fractured glass, barbell shaped (martini?) mixer, it has the “holed” cap for pouring, is missing the solid cap for shaking.
Other than the missing cap (I would think a pretty big deal) it appears to be in very good condition.
Cannot attach a photo to this message (that I see)
Jim
You’ll need to take it to an antique dealer to get it appraised. Often times those
smaller parts are what make them more valuable because they get lost or broken.
Amanda
Hello I am currently selling an extremely rare Van Berg Silverplate lighthouse cocktail shaker with Sotheby’s and thought you or your readers may be interested in learning more about this rare opportunity to own one!