×

Picking a unique hobby

T-R PHOTO BY SARA JORDAN-HEINTZ The Marshalltown Early American Glass Club was gifted 38 toothpick holders from the personal collection of the late Nadine Collins. The items will be on permanent display at the Historical Society of Marshall County’s Museum, housed with other glass club pieces. The toothpick holders date from the late 1870s to early 20th century.

Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series profiling the various collections of residents of Marshalltown and the surrounding area.

Toothpicks date back to the era of the Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens, whose skeletal remains show they used primitive tools for scraping food particles from their teeth. The elite ruling class came to own toothpicks crafted from metals and precious gems. But it wasn’t until the 1870s the iconic wooden toothpick first came into vogue, when it was mass-produced by Bostonian entrepreneur Charles Forster.

From the 1870s until the early years of the 20th century, place settings at tables included small glass or porcelain containers for use in storing and displaying toothpicks. The Marshalltown Early American Glass Club was recently gifted 38 toothpick holders, from the family of the late Nadine Collins, who passed away in December 2016. The pieces are on display inside the Historical Society of Marshall County’s Museum, and will become part of the glass club’s permanent collection, also housed at the Museum.

Glass club member and former president, Scott Mason, hand-selected 38 pieces from Collins’ collection, which he estimates contained around 80-100 toothpick holders of varying age, style and worth.

“Nadine had been a member of the glass club. I selected pieces that were originals, and not reproductions,” he said. “I felt these antique ones would be the best for our collection.”

Glass companies Fenton and Westmoreland are represented, as well as the German-made Rosenthal porcelain, custard glass, pressed glass and pattern glass.

“Most every American glass company in the mid to late 19th century and early 20th century made toothpick holders along with a creamer, sugar bowl, spooner, covered butter dish and celery vase as a set,” Mason said.

Some of the holders in Collins’ collection were souvenirs made in honor of world’s fairs, such as the World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1893.

Glass club member Joann Neven, who was a personal friend of Collins, noted collectors actually refer to toothpick holders simply as “toothpicks.”

Collins secured these pieces shopping in antique stores and at flea markets. She also collected items during her various travels with her late husband, Dr. Phillip Collins, and their friends.

Collins was an avid collector, and in her lifetime, which spanned 94 years, she collected ice cream molds, cups and saucers, hand mirrors, candle holders and Haviland platters, among other items.

“She was very eclectic, and her tastes evolved as she heard about things,” Neven said.

Neven explained that one way to tell toothpick holders from jiggers (which are used to measure liquor), is toothpick holders are more decorative in nature, especially around the rim.

A few of the holders in the collection have handles, making the pieces resemble little baskets.

“Some would have three handles, so it would be easier to pass it to the next person around a table,” Neven said.

Mason estimates the most expensive piece in the collection is a light blue Fenton glass basket, which ranges in value from $175-195. The collection has yet to be formally appraised.

“Nadine was going to give a presentation to the glass club about her collection in January, but she passed away that December,” Neven explained.

The Early American Glass Club’s collection is viewable at the HSMC’s Museum during normal business hours, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is currently accepting new members.

If you collect something interesting or unusual, contact this writer at the information below.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.38/week.

Subscribe Today