Vintage Mushroom Collector News

Is It Authentic? Mystery Merry Mushrooms

5/16/2021

In the course of scouring online listings, some pieces pop up that sure look just like Merry Mushrooms, but aren't in the US Sears catalogs. Could I have missed them? Of course. Is it Canadian? Possibly, and I might find it as I work my way through the catalogs as my budget allows. Or is it an "imposter" or "lookalike"? Also a possibility. Anything successful is copied.

These are some of the mysteries that I wish Robert Stack was around to help me solve!

Measuring/Mixing Bowl

This Corning Ware 4-cup measuring/mixing bowl has an identical five mushroom decal as the Corning Ware skillets, but is it authentic?

Double Pump Beverage Server

Found on Facebook Marketplace in April 2021, this Phoenix beverage server was listed for sale in Detroit, Michigan. The configuration of the mushrooms and greenery is close but the colors are a little off. Is it Canadian? A clever copycat? Knowing the manufacturer should be a clue, but unfortunately, it leads nowhere yet.

Wall Pocket

These wall pockets show up from time to time, but I haven't been able to nab one yet. From the photos, it has the vertical grooves in the body and in the mushroom steams, and detailing in the greenery. The yellow-orange of the handle matches the color of the handles of the embossed ceramic mugs. The two smaller mushrooms are colored appropriately but the large mushroom is too dark, too orange, though it does have the touch of red along the edge of the cap.

What do you think? Do you have the missing piece of the puzzle? Let me know!

Linda Nash

5/22/2021 04:19:58 pm

I have 3 pieces of the Merry Mushroom Microwave Collection
I have the bundt pan, casserole dish and the muffin pan

Jessica (owner) link

5/22/2021 08:40:01 pm

That's awesome! You're so lucky to find such a rarity.

George

6/4/2021 07:01:28 pm

What if you have a set with no date marks and you know you bought them in the mid 70's

6/4/2021 07:48:45 pm

Hi George,

Many Merry Mushrooms pieces weren't stamped but most likely had a sticker that read some variation of "Made in Japan" and sometime the year. Unfortunately, stickers come off with wear and washing. Dating is challenging for items that were offered for many years and changed very little, if at all, like the cookie jar, spoon rest, and canister sets.

Lucky for you, you know you bought it in the mid-1970s, which is closer than most people get. Happy Hunting!

AnnsOK

7/25/2021 12:54:13 pm

I can hopefully answer this question for you! The company that created the production molds for the Sears line had additional "mushroomy" items that it seems Sears never carried, but that numerous other companies and hobbyists made along the way. I myself own one of the molds that makes the pitcher-and-bowl wall planter, and quite a few other items in this 'pattern'. There are also "similar" designs by other companies that muddy the waters a bit.

What to look out for in "lookalikes" is whether the colors are smoothly airbrushed on, or brush-strokes. The wall planter appears home made, while the tea pot appears to be professionally made, for example. They may not be "Sears", but they do match.

7/25/2021 07:50:53 pm

Ah ha! It makes sense that, since it was such a popular design (and mushrooms in general), there would be clever copies or non-Sears Merry Mushrooms. There's so much to discover about our favorite fungi. Thanks, AnnsOK!

Andrew

4/23/2023 05:32:41 pm

I have one of the wall pockets but mine seems to have some sort of fabric added or maybe this picture doesn’t has had the fabric removed would love to know if it’s supposed to be that way or if maybe mine is imposter.

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Is It Authentic? Mystery Merry Mushrooms

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