Dishes, Dishes, DISHES!

[genuineimitation]

moonie those dishes are gorgeous. i've got a couple of pieces of russell wright in this weird grey, so i don't display them (though they might look kind of cool with my orange stuff, now that i think about it...) i try SO hard not to collect dishes, though it doesn't always work. it's one of my mom's passions. She's got her wedding dishes: russell wright in white. they are beautiful. i've wanted them for ages, and she knows she's saving them for me. she hasn't used them for about 25 years!

[HS Tory]

How about some dinnerware history fun?
The question is: What are Blakely dishes   
Here's a clue - "Blakely" gave it away back in the day.  Now it's worth some $$$,

I won't give away the answer yet - Here's a chance for thrifter historians to 'shine' 

[SecondhandSophisticate]

Welcome to the board, and I'll take a chance:

Were Blakely dishes the ones given away at movies back in the 30s?

Ciao,
SeSo

[foutchie]

I think I know!   It was a Gas company in Arizona?

[HS Tory]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

special 'thanks' to Foutchie and Secondhandsophisticate for playing with me today 

I am feeling the love!

Yep, Blakely Oil Company hailed from Arizona. They had a few gas stations in California, but the bulk of their business was in the Grand Canyon State. They did massive give-aways, including sets of "Arizona Cactus" china, everyday "Arizona Cactus" dinnerware, and even cars and vacations!

Like other oil company collectibles, an occasional oil can still turns up now and then, but folks often forget that the old gas stations of the 1950's and 60's gave away household kitchen items too.

Nice guessing, folks!  Yippee-ky-aaay!

In case you're wondering - yep - My breakfast nook's brightened up by some Blakely tea cups n' saucers, along with a few other favorite Arizona Cactus dinnerware pieces scattered about.

I use them too - What's the fun in collecting, if you're not going to "play" with your toys?!?!?!?








 

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[SecondhandSophisticate]

You are so very welcome, HS Tory!  I learned something new today. Thanks

In the Northeast, I remember gas stations giving away football glasses in the late 60s/early 70s, which turn up in thrifts occasionally.  My husband has been collecting them for a few years and, yes, he actually uses them

Your kitchen sounds great! Does your vintage theme extend throughout your home?  Do you have a special time period or theme you collect?

Ciao
SeSo

[foutchie]

Well, I did a little research - didn't really know the answer until I did!    But you motivated me to research some thing new! I use the glassware/dishes I seek out too. Why just let them sit in a cabinet when they can be used.

[ChrisMiss]

Durn, I didn't get in in time to answer the question and I knew the answer.  I found a set of the glasses at the thrift store one time.  I sold them on ebay and made some moola on them.  But before I sold them I had to do the research.  It's really fun to find stuff that they used to give away.  Nowadays not many businesses give anything away.