Carrie had fun collecting Cleminson wall pockets for her retro kitchen renovation — and now her hard-working family has a happy, colorful place to settle in and eat hearty. I collected a set of three Cleminsons when I was renovating my kitchen, too — they are right above the stove. These are real sweetheart collectibles, there is just something about them. The lovely piece above is $65 BIN.
Above: A classic Cleminson, $28.35 BIN on ebay.
Above: Another classic, starting bid is $9.99 on ebay.
Oh, you know I have this one, as coffee is my LIFE. Even before this blog! $40 BIN.
This is a FANTASTIC ONE! Cleanliness is Next to Godliness, $21.89 BIN.
Switching from wallpockets, how about this lovely queen of hearts creamer — appropriate for today: Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! $19.99 on etsy, from thetoadhouse.
Cleminson wall plaques. Opening bid, $9.99 on ebay.
Oooooh, a Cleminson’s string holder. This piece is pricey, bid sitting open at $47.95 on the bay.
This one doesn’t look like the other Cleminsons. I wonder if it really is. But it’s about coffee AND hillbillies, and I like both. $14.95 BIN with expensive shipping.
Haha, a hangover cup with icepack lid. $39 BIN.
There are a couple of Cleminson designs that talk about the house being mortgaged. I need this! BIN cup for $14.95.
But, woah, look at this: A Cleminson Pinocchio toothbrush holder! Does life POSSIBLY get any better than this? $45 BIN.
Marta says
Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you for this post, Pam! I don’t know what it is about motto wall pockets, but I love them so much! Coveting the string holder in a major way, but my wall pocket ceiling is $20, so I’ve never won any on ebay as the shipping usually puts even a low bid over that.
I’m also a big fan of Buzza mottoes, but they prefer my dining room. The embroidered and cross stitched samplers have gravitated to the living room. Thankfully, the $20 cap extends to all, so my collections are small.
dale says
When I was a kid we had a fantastic ceramic mammy figure hanging in the kitchen – her apron was a notepad and her ‘broomstick’ was a pencil that you inserted. Wish I still had that. I also love the plaques that look like they are made out of some type of cast pot metal, usually painted black with accent paint. They always had hillbillies, a moonshine jug, a busty woman and featured sayings like ‘If you’re so damn smart why ain’t you rich?’ Then there’s the wooden plaques with the sort of saw toothed edges….
Melanie says
I have a couple wall pockets around somewhere. Nothing so cute as hillbillies though. And I’m not sure who the maker is. After reading this post I have to ask myself why I don’t have my wall pockets hanging in my kitchen.
Beth Putnam says
Pinnichio be mine, Thanks for always keeping it fresh Pam. Happy V-Day, Beth
karen says
Once again, I learned something new from this blog! I do have a nice collection of California pottery from various makers, but had yet to discover Cleminson!
Jane / MulchMaid says
These are so cute, but what’s the “wallpocket” part? Do they have a space for tucking stuff into that I can’t see behind the glazed face?
pam kueber says
Yes, they are like 1/2 a coffee cup, even narrower … you can put flowers in there. Not sure how these came about.
Ann-Marie Meyers says
Wall pockets were very popular in the early part of the 20th century. Lots of lustreware ones. I have a couple in my collection.
pam kueber says
I’m tending to think that their popularity had something to do with the introduction of motorcars. Original motorcars had space for the equivalent of wall pocket vases, as I recall…. ?
Ann-Marie Meyers says
Yes, they did! We are so smart.
Leslie says
I am passionate about California Pottery, so I know about the Hillbilly / Coffee deal, another slice mid century kitsch.
Twin Winton ceramics was started by twin brothers Don & Ross Winton in Pasadena, CA in 1936. The popular Twin Winton Hillbilly line was introduced in 1947. The line featured hand-painted figures of Ozark mountain boys along with a wood grain effect under glaze and was such a success that the company had to relocate to a larger plant! Take a moment, grab a cup o’ joe and type “Twin Winton Hillbilly” in your ebay search. Be prepared to smile!
pam kueber says
hahahaha, crap. now something new i have to become obsessed with 🙂
Leslie says
I know, huh!
One of my favorite items they made was a punch bowl with hillbilly punch cups, yikes. My own collection includes a hillbilly laying down, eyes shut holding a jug labeled xxx, his legs are wrapped around a tree trunk and the tree trunk is an ashtray. A gift from my Aunt to my parents, we still laugh about it.
Trouble says
What’s a Matchstring?
These remind me of the Dutch Pantries we would stop to eat in while going on vacation as a kid. I still have a circular sign with a rooster on it, all painted in bright colors and says, “Wilcom” on it. Excusr the spelling – I don’t have it handy, it’s in the bakery!
Nancy says
That’s actually ‘latch string’ (I read it first as ‘match string’ myself.)
It’s a cord that’s attached to the door latch (usually in a cabin), and fed through a hole in the door to the outside. The latch automatically falls when the door is closed, and the latch string allows the door to be opened from the outside.
From what I’ve read, it was customary for strangers to use unoccupied cabins for shelter, especially in harsh climates such as Alaska. The latch string allowed them to do so, while still keeping the cabin closed to bears and other animals. (It was expected that the stranger restock any provisions he used, however.)
pam kueber says
Wow, that’s so cool to learn! Thank you!
Carrie aka MIfroggies says
I paid an average of $20 with shipping. I love mine, they really add a homey feeling.
pilgrim says
‘coffee and hillbillies’: funniest thing ever. will it replace coffee and cigarettes in these anti smoking times? i look forward to finding out!
pam kueber says
i am a hillbilly, didn’t ya know 🙂
Gavin Hastings says
Not here!
pam kueber says
Are there such a thing as hillbillies Down Under, Pilgrim? (For those of you who do not know, Pilgrim is from Australia.)