In the world of vintage bar accessories, amid colorful glassware and shakers in gleaming chrome, swizzle sticks might escape notice.  But they're worth seeking out, because discovering a hidden cache of mismatched drink stirrers is like finding a party in a box.

The original swizzle stick was a 19th century West Indian invention.  A skinny branch that fanned out at one end, it was rotated in a glass to mix a drink.  The swizzle we know, however, is a 20th century phenomenon.  Jay Swindler, a chemical engineer, patented a version of it in 1935, just after Prohibition ended.  His had a pointed end for retrieving sunken olives or cherries, and a flat, paddle-like top to display advertising.

From the 30s through the 50s, swizzle sticks and drink stirrers were produced in a variety of styles--from elegantly unadorned to glittery, gaudy, and playful.  Some early versions were made of Bakelite, but most were glass.  Manufacturers customized the swizzles by silk-screening hotel and bar names on the glass or, in some cases, on paper, which was then slid into a tube before the end was sealed.  This uncommon version is fun to find--like coming across a message in an old bottle on the beach.

Unique novelty swizzles were produced for home use as well.  During the 40s and 50s, plastic production increased, and many businesses--nightclubs, airlines, liquor companies--had a signature swizzle.  Taking the sticks as souvenirs was encouraged; they were promotional calling cards.  They could be used again at home, serving as reminders of a great trip or night on the town.

Today.there's a thrill in rummaging through piles of swizzles, then walking away with one--for the change in your pocket.  Plastic stirrers might cost as much as a dollar apiece, but a box of them selling for a few dollars is not uncommon.  Full sets of novelty swizzles (usualy six to eight in each) can run $125 or more in a shop.  At a flea market or yard sale, you might get lucky:  Single glass stirrers can cost from $2 to $10, depending on the color and material.  Green, black, and red are rare, as is almost anything in Bakelite.  And cobalt glass is very popular, so it often costs more.

Talk to older family members, who might have some of these treasures hidden away.  If they do, be sure to ask questions--there could be some colorful stories to go with the collection.