Collecting chalkware, its history

If you have been to carnivals and fairs you have heard the “barkers” trying to call you over to the games to try and win a prize, but if you were transported back in time to carnivals of the late 1900’s through the early 1950’s you were more likely to hear this phrase: “Step right up here and win yourself a Kewpie doll”!

Cherubic Kewpies came out in the around 1920 and the prize the carnival barkers were referring to were chalkware figurines. They called them all “Kewpies” back then but these inexpensive prizes were made of plaster of Paris and came in all shapes and sizes. The most popular figures were those of Betty Boop, Popeye and other cartoon characters of the times. Some had glass eyes and the higher your skill, the larger your chalk figure!

Chalkware figures are very collectible and prices vary by condition. It is hard to find these figures in good condition because they were cheaply made and the painted surfaces didn’t hold up well to normal wear and tear and can sometimes darken with age. Many a chalkware figure ended up being a slingshot target and the pieces gathered up and used to scratch out a chalked hopscotch grid on the sidewalk!

Some of the more desirable chalkware figures are string holders. These look like a face with the lips pooched out where the string comes out looking like spaghetti! Back in the day leftover and lunches were wrapped in brown paper and wrapped up with string and nearly every kitchen had one of these in some shape or form.

Original chalkware was produced in the Pennsylvania Dutch area in the early 1800s and these pieces were usually produced as decorative wear by Italian craftsmen whereas the chalkware most folks are familiar with was the pieces produced in the 1900’s. Plaster of Paris lamps and those 1960’s fish sets grandma used to hang on the bathroom walls are also considered chalkware!

Chalkware fell out of favor in the late 1950’s and were replaced with mostly stuffed animals or cheap plastic stuff from Taiwan and other imports. You can find these chalk items in your local antique shops or on eBay. There are even a few reference books out there about them that you may find interesting. Happy Collecting!

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