A fantasy piece is an item that never (originally) existed, implies the object is old and many times is made to deceive the buyer. The only part of this statement that could fit the Pixieware jar is -- it never existed in the original Pixieware line, but there have been no implications of the piece being old nor has there been any intention to deceive the buyer by the manufacturer and the retailers.
There are many companies that fire up the production line, making second and third generation items after an original line was discontinued, just usually not after a forty-plus year time lapse. The company producing the new Pixieware may have a different name, but they are still made by a Howard, and are still designed by one of the original Holt-Howard designers, Curt Blanchard.
The column also mentioned that the $30. jars have, at times, sold for up to $200. Unfortunately this is true, but just a few moments of checking out the numerous Internet resources would give the would-be buyers the whole story, as well as several options to buy the jar at the suggested retail price. There have been many cases where secondary market dealers, although not intentionally deceiving a would-be buyer with the wrong information, does so by ommission of the facts. If you're a collector it's up to YOU to do the research before spending hard-earned cash.
The Background
Holt-Howard developed the Pixies in the late 1950s. Robert J. Howard
designed them and pioneered by having them made in Japan. Bob's partners in
Holt-Howard, Grant Holt and John Howard formed Grant-Howard Associates after
selling Holt-Howard.
Bob Howard died in 1990 after a career of making fun decorative objects for the kitchen and home. Grant Holt retired and John Howard remains active in Grant-Howard Associates traveling internationally to develop sources that can produce product at comparable quality levels to the first generations of Pixies.
The second-generation Pixies were introduced in January, 2003 and are being made and distributed by many of the same people who produced the original Pixies in the Fifties. The new Pixie items are being carefully designed so as not to reproduce any of the original pieces as it would be unfair to collectors. Holt-Howard never made Pixie cookie jars, Salsa servers or any of the other new pieces being offered. All of them are new designs by Curt Blanchard in consultation with John Howard.
As always, I welcome your comments, agree or disagree!
