Many people have asked me over the years how I became a collector of everything. It took a little remembering but it began like this. Dear old grandma had a collection of salt and pepper shakers all over her house. It was my task to help her dust and clean them. So that I would stay on task she would tell me a story about each set, I was intrigued, between the colors and the many different styles and types and especially the tales about each set I began my own collect ( I later realized most of the stories were made up to keep me on task) didn't care I was hooked. 

Where to find them.

As a beginner one of the best places is your own family, ask your grandma, or aunts or any member of your extended family you may find that they have many sets they would like to get rid of, your for the taking, many collections started with children giving them as gifts for Mothers Day, or Christmas or Birthdays. They were cheap, colorful and could be purchased almost anywhere. The next place would be garage sales, whoever invented the garage sale should be cannonised. What a way to get rid of things. You can usually get a set or many sets for pennies, I've been to some sales that I bought a box full for $1.00. Thrift stores, rummage sales, flea mkts are some other places you can find great bargains.

Types

There are as many types as there are people.  The very best and most valuable are porcelin, but many are made of pottery, metal wood, glass, plastic, bake-a-lite, bone and chalk. To begin a collection you should buy what pleases you, even if your intent is for resale instead of self collecting. Remember this if you like it then some one else liked it also.

You can collect any style of salt and pepper shaker, the are people, animals, birds, fish, states, cities, religious anything you can think of some body made a salt and pepper shaker of it, believe me.

If you are looking for valuable, there are a few rule you should follow, made in Japan or occupied Japan is good, Made in China not so valuable (yet). Must have stoppers original is best but cork will do. No cracks, chips or repairs, these greatly lower the value, (don't let anyone tell you different) Any markings on the bottom from England, Germany, France will greatly increase value, also made in America is very good if the set was made in 1950 or before.

Salt and Pepper collecting can be fun and profitable for both the beginner and seasoned collector, just use a little common sense and remember that collecting these can be addicting, you could end up like me with over 5000 pair and guess who is still dusting them.