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These cute, colorful jam jars are often misrepresented as sugar bowls, grease containers, spice jars, or similar conainers. They are confidently identified by dealers as dating from the 40's, 50's, and even 60's. This guide will assist in providing an accurate historical record. My information is based on oral history provided by my parents, with over 140 years of expertise in collecting glassware and other items between them!
Made of white glass which was then painted, one was made to resemble a strawberry and the other to look like either a peach or an apple. They are 3-1/2 inches high, 3 inches in diameter at the top, and they each feature a lid. They were provided as promotional giveaways to advertise Corn Kix Cereal, and they were described by them as jam jars. They were not offered as pairs, but as one per purchase while the offer lasted. In our collective experiences, we have only seen the strawberry, and the peach or apple, so we believe they were the only choices.
My experts disagree on whether the latter is a peach or apple. Dad, who grew up in fruit-growing country, insists it is a peach. He offers for evidence the fact that the various hybrid apples prevalent today were not available during the late 30's. Apples were either yellow or red and not mixed colors. Everyone in his circle of acquaintance during the late 30's and early 40's referred to this jam jar as a peach. Mom insists it is an apple.
The closest estimate we can provide for the date of manufacture is 1938-1939. This is based on anecdotal evidence provided by Mom who remembers the rare treat of being allowed to walk to the store to purchase a package of Corn Kix cereal so she could receive the promotional item. She wanted the apple as she still calls it and was disappointed to learn that the local market only had the strawberry available. Her recollection of the timeframe can be confirmed by various personal historical markers such as where she lived, what grade she attended in school, etc.
They do not carry a maker's mark. They are identified by glass collectors as unmarked Hazel Atalas painted milk glass. They do appear to be very similar in the appearance of the glass itself, the paint colors used, and the overall style and design of the pieces, so I believe that HA is very likely correctly identified as the manufacturer, but I can't provide a conclusive reference.
These jam jars used to be seen frequently in thrift stores and antique stores, and while they can still be found, they turn up much less often. At close to 70 years of age, it won't be long before they will be classified as antiques. Those who remember what these interesting pieces of Americana were for and how they were obtained will be passing from the scene, also. They were only available in those innocent days before WWII and as such make a really charming piece of memorabilia.
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