A Beloved American Icon: Aunt Jemima

by Mary Dessoie

Those of us born in a certain era hold pleasant memories of a kindly lady, in addition to our mothers, who held court in kitchens across America. The welcoming figure of Aunt Jemima is cherished as a beloved character of 20^th century American popular culture.

Many associate her cheerful face with happy family times spent in the kitchen.

In Newport News, Virginia antiques dealer Sunnie Jones fell in love with Aunt Jemima and other black memorabilia collectibles over 15 years ago. Her spacious country kitchen and dining room showcase her extensive collection of syrup bottles, salt and pepper sets, cream and sugars, spices, cookie jars and much, much more!

In the early years of the twentieth century the Aunt Jemima Pancake Flour company began offering premiums to consumers as a sales promotion. Buyers would send in box tops and a minimal amount of money for the same items, which are now on display in Sunnie’s kitchen. The first box top coupon offer in the 1920's by Aunt Jemima were salt and pepper sets in two sizes, for the kitchen and dining table. These were followed by other kitchen collectibles. Originally started as such an offer, the Aunt Jemima syrup pitcher later became a giveaway.

Sunnie’s most recent acquisition is a set of six Aunt Jemima-style spice containers made of plastic. She found this rare set in the original gold-tinted aluminum rack with scalloped edges. This set, along with most of Sunnie’s other Aunt Jemima-related pieces, were made by F&F Mold and Die Works of Dayton, Ohio. As a savvy antique dealer, Sunnie is able to tell the originals from the reproductions now being manufactured.

The lady collector has skillfully utilized every bit of space on her walls and ceilings in order to display her collections, which include several categories of kitchenware: red and white graniteware, red-handled utensils, chicken motif items, sad irons and spice tins. Sunnie told us that, "in order to display all of my graniteware pieces, my husband Bristol installed a ceiling-hugging shelf with cup hooks underneath." She has creatively turned a printer’s typesetting drawer into a display case for her miniature collectibles. Beneath it is a small shelf for her collection of prized spice tins.

Collecting is very much a family affair in this household. Sunnie’s mother-in-law is her "best antiquing buddy," and is also the talented seamstress who made the chicken-style covers for Sunnie’s counter top appliances. As the parents of ten beautiful children and now also grandchildren, Sunnie and Bristol often hold family gatherings in their charming home. It is no coincidence that many joyous family times are spent in the welcoming Aunt Jemima-theme kitchen.

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Mary Dessoie covers a variety of topics in the field of antiques and collectibles. She founded the Butter Pat Patter Association in 1997 for beginner and advanced collectors of exquisite china butter pats from the Victorian through Edwardian eras and 19^th-century to current-day transportation and restaurant ware. Butter pats are miniature plates that were introduced during the mid-1800's for individual servings of butter. A subscription to The Patter newsletter costs $22 and includes a mint-condition Royal Doulton butter pat. Royal Doulton located in the Staffordshire area of England is known throughout the world as one of the leading manufacturers of fine china. In addition, subscribers will receive ten issues of The Patter. Sample copies of The Patter are available by sending $4.00 and a LSSAE (63 cents). For those persons who would like to start their subscriptions immediately and receive their Royal Doulton pat by return mail, please send your check or money order, payable to Mary Dessoie, to Butter Pat Patter Association, 265 Eagle Bend Drive, Bigfork, Montana 59911-6235.