The Valuable Cookie Jar With Vintage Charm That Collectors Still Hunt For

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If you're going for retro vibes in the kitchen, an animal-shaped cookie jar is essential. The houses of yore all sported kitschy canisters for sweet treats, like the beloved Shawnee Smiley Pig and the Brush Pottery Company Circus Horse, an equestrian gem that can cost thousands today. However, the Lefton Puppy Pal is considered the crown jewel of cookie jars and one of collectors' most sought-after finds. Its whimsical touches, playful paint colors, and delicate features make it as irresistible as the treats inside — but it'll cost ya. 

Made by the Lefton Company, the Puppy Pal is one of the line's most iconic works. Hungarian expat George Zoltan Lefton got the business underway in Chicago in 1941, a difficult time in history. At the onset of World War II, Lefton helped a Japanese-American friend clean up his business after it was looted. After the war, the friend connected Lefton to manufacturers in Occupied Japan, an important tidbit to note if you're looking for authentic items from the company. Despite the challenging times, Lefton's work pressed on with enchanting figurines, teapots, vases, wall pockets, and of course, cookie jars, and production overseas continued until 1970. Puppy Pal was issued in the '50s, and nowadays, the cookie jar averages around $900 in second-hand shops and virtual retailers like Etsy and eBay.  

Puppy Pal has become one of the most valuable kitchenware pieces to hunt for at second-hand shops, flea markets, and estate sales. This cute canine is hard to miss with his wide-eyed features, a light-blue hat (the cover of the cookie jar), and polka-dotted collar. But it's important to note important markings before determining whether or not you're dealing with the real thing. You'll find identification numbers marked on Lefton pieces, and the letters in front of them represent factory codes. Trademarks are either emblazoned on the items or included on a paper tag from the late '40s to early '50s, which coincide with Puppy Pal's creation, and they offer some combination of "Lefton's China" and "Lefton's Occupied Japan." Variations of foil red and gold leaf-shaped labels were placed on creations from 1946 to 1971. 

Should you be the proud owner of a Puppy Pal, display him in all his glory. Up the kitsch factor of your cooking space with complementary colors in textiles and tableware, such as red plates and light-blue glasses — anything pastel goes with this vintage item. If you have equally colorful appliances nearby, like a SMEG kettle or a KitchenAid mixer, make sure those tones play off one another and Puppy Pal. Should you love the cookie jar but not its $900 price tag, Puppy Pal offers the same retro charm as a wall pocket (roughly $200), butter dish (roughly $200-$300), and creamer (roughly $100), among other finds.