Celebrity face vases display their charm in collector's corner

Let the observer with no imagination use the prosaic term "headvases." Grace Bair of Urbana calls her collection "celebrity ladyface vases" or "celebrity lady heads." Corner shelves in one room ofher house display an attractive selection of vases that look like thebeautiful women Americans have admired during the 20th century. Shehas made name tags to identify them all.

The former teacher and principal remembers when she saw her firsthead vase in the 1950s. "I picked one as a container to send abouquet to a sick friend," says Bair, who retired in 1973. Made ofbisque china, it was a reasonably priced novelty.

As far as we know, manufacturers first made head vases in the1940s and 1950s for floral arrangements. Since the vases were sosmall, a florist could not make much money selling a flowerarrangement in such a vase. Consequently, many of them collecteddust in flower shop workrooms and closets. In fact, you may be luckyenough to find a well-established floral shop that still has some inits stock rooms that you buy at a reasonable price.

Many lady face vases were imported from Japan. Some also mayhave been manufactured here. Many of the vases have marks on thebottom that enable one to determine the approximate time ofmanufacture and the dealer or importer. Still others have no marksat all, which makes it difficult or impossible to determine theirorigins.

Lefton's and Napco are two names commonly seen on labels, butnot much else is known about them. Some vases carry the same marksbut are different in details and even sizes. Perhaps we will neverbe able to learn everything about the origins of these collectibles.

Bair acquired her collection after she retired, while she andher husband visited local flea markets and antique shows as a hobby.After he died, she launched a second career as an antique dealer, anddisplays her wares in two rooms in Second Hand Rose, an antique mallin Urbana.

"I remember selling some that looked like Marilyn Monroe beforeI became interested in collecting them myself," Bair says. "You couldbuy them then for 50 cents at flea markets and second-hand shops.Now an ordinary head vase may cost $12, and nicer ones may cost $20or $30 in the shops."

Bair has nearly 40 head vases in her collection, but the onesshe likes best are those that look like famous movie stars. "Becauseof copyright laws, these vases weren't advertised as likenesses offamous women," Bair explains. "Some of them, however, such as onethat resembles Jackie Kennedy, are obvious portrayals."

This category of collectible is not yet listed in most antiqueencyclopedias and price guides. Kathleen Cole has written a booktitled Head Vases: Identification and Values (Collector Books,$14.95) describing her collection of more than 1,000 vases. Theyrange in size from 2 to 11 inches tall and come in all styles:religious, clowns, animals, Orientals, blacks, Indians, men, womenand children.

If you are interested in collecting head vases, you may want toconfine your purchases to a specific category, as Bair does.Collectors who are interested in memorabilia of only one person maybe able to find a head vase resembling that person to round out acollection.

So far, Bair has acquired 15 "celebrity vases," includinglikenesses of actresses Angela Lansbury, Ginger Rogers, Ann Sothernand Donna Reed.

"If I ever sell my collection, I would want the new owner to besomeone who would buy it all and keep it together," Bair says.

Once you start looking for head vases, you are likely to findsome examples on every one of your outings. Become acquainted withprevailing market prices before you buy so that you will not pay toomuch for nondescript examples. You should buy only those vases youlike and that are in good condition. It is hard to resell defectiveones, Bair warns.

Do not be afraid to buy duplicates if you can find them at abargain, she advises. You can always trade with other collectors ordealers. If you fall in love with a special vase that is trulyunique, buy it even if it is not a bargain. You may be happier withone wonderful vase than two ordinary ones.

Bair is happy that so many people are becoming collectors. "Manythings were thrown away that should have been kept," she said. "Weare preserving our heritage for our children and grandchildren bysavoring and treasuring items from our nation's past."

What are we throwing away now that is destined to become acollectible in the future? Bair believes plastics will be the nextpopular collectible. Bakelite radios are hot sellers at local fleamarkets; so are old necklaces.

"I sold an old plastic necklace by a famous designer for $300and I could sell another one for more than that if I could find one,"Bair says.

Meanwhile, Bair still hopes to continue adding to and upgradingher collection of celebrity lady face vases. Who knows whattreasures next week's garage sales may yield?