Description
This cookie jar was given to me by my parents and I would like to find out the value of this piece. I don't have any background on the piece as I believe they acquired it at an estate sale years ago. The only markings I see on the piece besides GOB is the letters USA imprinted on the bottom, but this is almost impossible to see in the photos. The cookie jar is approximately 11" tall and weighs approximately 4lbs.
Re: Sailor Boy Cookie Jar
Made by the Ohio-based Shawnee Pottery Company in the early '40s, Sailor Boy was one of the original five cookie jar figures produced by the company. The blank jars were sent to China for decoration and the "GOB" is an abbreviation of "gob-bid-dan", sailor in Cantonese.
It was issued in a number of paint schemes (some more competent than others) and many reproductions exist, including a commemorative version issued in 1992. Your pictures seem to indicate it is the genuine article, however, and one of the nicer paint schemes. Book value on one in very similar condition to yours is "$1400+". I highly suggest you take this item to a local appraiser near you for confirmation. And don't drop it! ;)
Re: Sailor Boy Cookie Jar
Wow! I wasn't expecting anything close to that.... Thank you so much for responding and don't worry I will be extremely careful with it. Thanks again. :)