Fantasy pieces are a real problem. Even seasoned collectors can be duped by the fantasy piece; the one that isn't in the books and is presented as "rare", "never put into production" or "not in the books". If it isn't in the books, consider that a BIG red flag. There are some rare, and even one of a kind pieces in existance, but if it's on eBay with a starting price of 99 cents, it probably isn't one of them. Here are some example of "fantasy" items you'll see a lot of on eBay.
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Here's an example of a "fantasy" piece. McCoy never made this vase, though the seller who offered it had no idea it wasn't real. This vase is created from a hobby mold that is still available for sale from Whitehorse Mold company. There are quite a few hobby mold pieces being pawned off as "rare" vintage items. If you see a piece you've never seen before, and it isn't in a book or on Google (learn to use this tool for research!) then pass. It is nearly certainly fake. |
Phrases to watch: It is genuinely helpful to remember that McCoy only made ONE style of Mammy cookie jar. Their entire line of Black Americana consists of that one jar. Any and all other McCoy marked Black Americana items are fake. Period. McCoy Brayton Mammy These are all fantasy. Understanding the scope of the vintage companies product lines can help you avoid the fantasy fakes. |
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Fake of All Time This award goes to... The McCoy Little Red Riding Hood Cookie Jar. McCoy NEVER made a Little Red Riding Hood Cookie Jar. That is one of the most common, and the most easily dismissed pieces on eBay. If you see McCoy on the bottom of Red Riding Hood, it is a fantasy piece and a fake. Roger Jensen is easily the largest manufacturer of fantasy McCoy items in the country. He takes hobby molds are reinvents them as "McCoy". There are many websites on the internet dedicated to cataloging his fakes and fantasys. Please take the time to bookmark some of them. They contain a wealth of information. |
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