Cookie Jar Fakes and Reproductions
McCoy and Cookie Jars go together and because they do, many unscrupulous sellers try to take advantage of collectors. This is especially prevalent through Internet sales when buyers think they are bidding or purchasing an authentic jar from the real McCoy Company. Many cookie jar fakes and cookie jar reproductions are prevalent.
There are reasons why a collector would purchase a reproduction or commemorative jar. A reproduction jar should be both quite a bit cheaper and easier to find than the real thing. In my personal opinion, there is nothing wrong with having a reproduction jar of an older jar in your collection, as long as you know it is a reproduction jar when purchasing it. And as long as the jar is marked permanently and well enough that later on down the line there will be absolutely no question about it being a reproduction. Some jars that fit into this category would include the Midwest Sailor that is very similar to the Shawnee Sailor jar, the Dept. 56 series of jars that are look-a-likes of a few vintage jars and Jonal's Cookie Jar Classics series of jars. There are also authorized reproductions of more recent jars, such as the Henry Cavanagh series.
Reproducing licensed items is another story and one that is definitely open to lawsuits. Stay away from unauthorized jars of licensed characters or trademarked jars. For one thing, they are illegal and if you are interested in the monetary aspect, they will most likely never increase in value.
It's when the reproduced jars are made to deceive would-be buyers that problems start.
The McCoy mark has been copied and misused on a multitude of jars (and other pottery items). A McCoy mark has been used on reproductions of authentic McCoy jars. At one time it was just the more valuable jars, but now even inexpensive McCoy jars have been copied.
The mark has also been used on reproductions of jars from other companies. Brush, Treasure Craft, Shawnee jars have all been copied with no shame on the part of these people.
McCoy is also put on jars that are apparently new designs or ceramic molds.
It has been claimed by some that these jars are the work of the "New McCoy Company". The controversy has been going on since at least 1992 and in 1998 Joyce Roerig addressed this issue in her third cookie jar book, Collector's Encyclopedia of Cookie Jars. At that time the Roerigs gave permission to use their reproduction list on this web site, along with information about the McCoy Company vs. the New McCoy Company.
A common ploy is the way cookie jar fakes and cookie jar reproductions are advertised for sale. For instance, instead of saying this is a McCoy jar, the seller might say, "McCoy is on the bottom of the jar", not quite calling it a McCoy jar, but definitely making you read between the lines. The jar has almost always been found at an estate sale; thereby no history can be given. Or it might have been discovered in Grandma's attic. Apparently Grandma was pretty busy in her attic making all these jars. The majority of these jars have extremely heavy fake crazing on the jar, which is offered as proof of a sign of aging -- it's not! The crazing is usually darkish, completely covers the jar and is very even. In a collection of 1000 jars, not one of my jars has crazing this heavy or even.
When looking at cookie jars on the Internet, and at shows,
the Top Ten Reasons why bells should go off:
1. The seller will not give refunds.
2. The seller found it at the estate of a 90 year old lady. Probably in the attic.
3. The jar has a very distinct, heavy crazing covering the entire jar.
4. The seller has many auctions; all-featuring vintage jars with the above descriptions.
5. Size is not quite right -- lightweight or shorter.
6. You’ve never seen or heard of the jar, but the seller has more than one for sale (check closed auctions).
7. Many more bidders than what is typical.
8. It is a private auction or private feedback.
9. More than three of four negative feedbacks.
10. According to description, it's a vintage jar-- picture is on eBay, but in the background identical jars are seen along side packing boxes (Yes, this really happened!).
Several Internet sites have very good resources about the growing problem of cookie jar fakes and cookie jar reproductions. If you have any doubt about a jar, cover the bases by checking all the resources. If there still is a question about the authenticity of a piece -- it might be best to pass on it and save yourself the heartache of finding out you've been the victim of fraud.
Dishonest dealers--some with as many eBay user names as there are days in the week--are offering counterfeit, cookie jar fakes, and cookie jar reproductions. Cookie jars on eBay without disclosing that the jars are copies. Unsuspecting buyers are buying these fakes, and more knowledgeable collectors and dealers are throwing up their hands in despair, fearing that the value of prized cookie jars will plummet. Even serious collectors are becoming gun-shy about buying real jars.
The list of fake jars offered on eBay reads like a collector's wish list: the Brush Covered Wagon, Circus Horse, and Peter Pan with gold; the American Bisque Sweet Pea and Wilma; the Shawnee Smiley and Muggsy; the Hull Little Red Riding Hood; and lots of great McCoy jars--Cauliflower Mammy, Leprechaun, Boy on a Baseball, and others.
Reproduction Cookie Jars
Advertising: Mohawk Indian
American Bisque: Wilma on the telephone, Sweet Pea, Olive Oyl, Popeye, Sitting Horse, Mickey/Minnie turnabout
Brush: Circus Horse, Covered Wagon, Hillbilly Frog, Pink Elephant, Squirrel with Top Hat, Formal Pig, Purple Cow, Black Cow, Blue Cow Peter Pan, Little Boy Blue, Little Red Riding Hood, Humpty Dumpty w/Peaked Hat, Humpty Dumpty w/Beanie, Smiling Bear on Wedges, Panda Bear, Clown Bust, Donkey and Cart, Chick on Nest, Elephant w/Ice Cream Cone, (sometimes marked Brush McCoy)
Hull: Little Red Riding Hood and go-withes
Lane: Sheriff
McCoy: Little Red Riding Hood (marked McCoy), Mammy w/Cauliflowers, Rooster, Mammy, Leprechaun, Boy on Baseball, Snow White (marked McCoy), Dalmatians, Jazzman, Amazing Grace, Chef, Clown Bust, Dog in House
Regal: Goldilocks (marked Brush McCoy)
RRP: Snowman
Shawnee: Sailor, Smiley, Puss 'n' Boots, Muggsy
There are four predominant manufacturers of reproductions. One is located in West Allis, Wisconsin; two in Zanesville, Ohio area; and the New McCoy Pottery, billing itself as manufacturing "antique reproductions," in Spring City, Tennessee.
The McCoy name is probably one of the most recognized names in the pottery industry; everyone automatically assumes a marked piece to be "The Real McCoy." Here's the history of The New McCoy pottery. The owner of this pottery seized the opportunity to capitalize on the McCoy name. He had his lawyers file a trademark for the McCoy name and began putting it on the bottom of his jars.
Ralph Porto, owner of Designer Accents, who bought McCoy from the Lancaster Colony Group in 1985, challenged this registration. Despite erroneous information to the contrary, Porto registered McCoy as a trademark on June 25, 1991. (Jensen's trademark, filed on August 31, 1992 reads exactly as Porto's.)
Though Designer Accents closed for the 1990 holiday season and has not reopened to date, Porto still owns the McCoy name. The New McCoy Pottery ceased using the McCoy trademark, instead marking their ware "Brush-McCoy." (Brush McCoy never made cookie jars!) This too was challenged. Effective October 1997, Jensen is no longer legally able to use McCoy in any form on his product. As of this writing, their wares (when marked) are identified as "B.M.Hull." Caveat Emptor! Buyer, beware!
 
Fake Goldilocks/Regal Original Fake Little Red Riding Hood/Regal Original
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