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    Home » Vintage

    Retro Cocktail Shaker With Bakelite Handle

    Published by Pam Kessler | 248 words. · About 2 minutes to read this article. - 34 Comments

    I had not been to the thrift store for a long, long time. Generally, in the summer I concentrate on garage sales and in the winter I get my fix at the thrift stores. But garage sales are slowing down around here, so off to the local thrift store I went.

    I saw this sitting on the top shelf in the brass section (even though it was just dirty, not brass) and I was drawn to it. Maybe it was the whole being "misidentified by outer appearances" thing that drew me in.

    Vintage cocktail shaker with Bakelite handle.
    Or maybe because of this handle. OK, it was because of the handle. It looks like it's Bakelite.

    Red Bakelite handle on a cocktail shaker.

    It has this weird pour spout. The cap on the spout unscrews and the spout has a strainer type thing in it.

    Spout on a cocktail shaker.
    So the question is: Would you buy something that you have no idea what it is, based on the fact that it may have a Bakelite handle?

    Vintage cocktail shaker with Bakelite handle.
    Is this normal thrift store behavior? Or is this the start of my life as a hoarder?

    FYI - after bringing it home and Googling it, I found that it is a cocktail shaker. Haven't made a cocktail in many years. Correction - have not made a cocktail that needed a shaker EVER. (And I was a bartender at one point - not a lot of college students were drinking martinis in those days).

    If I told you it was only 90 cents, would you have bought it then?

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sarah

      August 30, 2011 at 11:57 am

      Yes, I would have bought it even before you said it was less than a $. What a find. Love the handle. 😉
      Makes me want to go a thrifting......Sarah

      Reply
    2. ImSoVintage

      August 30, 2011 at 3:39 pm

      Wonderful find, and yes it is a cocktail shaker. I have had one for many years, but not with that fabulous handle. Happy to be a new follower from Thrifty Tuesday.
      Laura

      Reply
    3. Helen and her Daughters

      August 30, 2011 at 5:32 pm

      I would have bought it, it is gorgeous!

      Reply
    4. [email protected] Charm

      August 30, 2011 at 7:38 pm

      Pam,
      Yes...I would have bought it...so many places to display this beauty.

      Blessings,
      Linda

      Reply
    5. Kim K.

      August 30, 2011 at 8:40 pm

      What a fun purchase and a great excuse to make cosmopolitans. It would be a great vase too. I especially love the handle!!

      Reply
    6. Linda @ A La Carte

      August 31, 2011 at 9:31 am

      YES!!! As I'm reading down I say love the handle, then you say of course that you love the handle that does look like bakelite and then I know it's a cocktail shaker and it's fabulous! Oh and the price...you stole that! I'm in love with it's lines, the color of the handle and even it's use! Great find! ~~Linda

      Reply
    7. Erin

      August 31, 2011 at 10:02 am

      Oh yes, I would have bought it! It is really unusual and FABULOUS! Terrific find!

      Reply
    8. Jane

      August 31, 2011 at 10:17 am

      Oh my gosh...YES...I would have bought that in a heart beat!! And I would have paid more than 90 cents for it!! What a great piece, you did good my friend!! It really cleaned up nice.
      Jane

      Reply
    9. Karen G @ It's Still Life

      August 31, 2011 at 12:25 pm

      $.90 is a steal. Yep,would have bought it because of its curves.

      Reply
    10. Laurel

      August 31, 2011 at 8:51 pm

      Yes, I buy LOTS of things that I have no idea what they are...just because I like the shape, price, whatever. Fun find 🙂 Laurel

      Reply
    11. Curtains In My Tree

      September 01, 2011 at 3:14 pm

      Honey that would have came right home with me red baklite handle and all

      Janice

      Reply
    12. Rose @ Confessions of a Curbshopaholic

      September 01, 2011 at 6:45 pm

      Yes, I buy things I don't know what they are, and Yes! I would buy for .90 for sure!
      If I bought it I would probably have to build a bar to use it in....just saying.
      Enjoy your new find!

      Reply
    13. andrea

      September 02, 2011 at 5:10 am

      It's very retro-fancy! Did you find out for sure if it is Bakelite and does that up the value for you on it?? The handle has a really cool formation goin' on. andrea @ townandprairie

      Reply
    14. Cindy

      September 02, 2011 at 6:51 pm

      I would have totally purchased the shaker and used it for the purpose for which it was created! 🙂

      Reply
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