June 2011 Alerts on Confusing Collectibles

Fake stoneware whiskey jugs are appearing at sales. A couple of fake advertising jugs showed up at a February auction in Circleville, Ohio, according to Parker Higby of the Ohio Bottle Club. The jugs had blue stenciling, but the Circleville address on them never existed. The jugs appeared to be old, but the stencils on them were new. A local picker told Higby that 200 similar jugs were sold at a southwest Ohio show a few months ago. Higby said he was told “guys are doing this out of Kentucky and bringing them to Ohio to sell.” It appears they are also making decorated stoneware without ads. Let us know if you see any of these fakes in your area.

Reproductions of Victorian tiles are being made in England and exported around the world. Most are decorated with multicolored transfer designs. You can complete a whole floor or wall with the tiles or pick and choose a few as accent tiles for a shower wall or kitchen backsplash.