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    Home » Budget Decor

    The Making Of A Vintage Thermos Collection

    Published by Pam Kessler | 338 words. · About 2 minutes to read this article. - 27 Comments

    You know how you buy one thing. That one time. Just because it's a good deal.

    Or it's really cute.

    And then you start seeing similar things at yard sales for a buck or two and you think, why not?

    And next thing you know, you have yourself a bona fide collection?

    Well, that's what happened to me with thermoses.

    Believe me, I never started out one day saying "Boy, I really need to have a collection of used insulated coffee holding devices which probably don't even work anymore and who-knows-who has drunk out of".

    Nope, never happened.

    Collection of vintage thermoses used as kitchen decor

    I keep my collection in my kitchen on the counter next to the almost never used mixer.

    Although, now that's I'm typing this, it would make so much more sense next to the almost never used coffee maker.

    I found my newest addition to my collection at an estate sale.

    Vintage plaid Aladdin thermos with a cork stopper

    An Aladdin brand thermos that has a weird, rubbery plaid covering on the base.

    It sort of feels like the bumpy shelf liner stuff they sell nowadays.

    And it has a cork instead of a screw on cap! How cool is that?

    Vintage plaid Aladdin thermos with a cork stopper

    When I saw it, I thought it might be a very, very, very old thermos from before they invented screw on caps.

    But then that very same night I was watching The Odd Couple and saw an episode where Felix was filling up Murray The Cop's thermos with hot coffee. And Murray's thermos had the same type of cork in it.

    So I guess it's not any older than the 60's or 70's.

    And is it totally weird that the very same day I bought this thermos is the day I saw that particular episode? What are the chances of THAT!

    (This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.)

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    Comments

    1. Sherry

      September 16, 2018 at 2:39 pm

      Very interesting. I am trying to find some information about the Scotch brand thermoses. I have found zero. Is there a good site I can visit that will tell me about it? Thanks so much.

      Reply
      • Pam

        September 16, 2018 at 8:31 pm

        The Skotch Kooler brand of picnic jugs, coolers and thermoses was made by Hamilton Metal Products in the 50's and 60's. I wonder if that's what you're referencing (notice the K's in the spelling of the brand, instead of the traditional spelling)? I have a photo of a few of mine on this Christmas decor post - https://www.houseofhawthornes.com/vintage-eclectic-holiday-home-tour/. And there is a company called Skotch Kooler USA which is reproducing them and they have a tiny bit of info on the company - https://skotchkoolerusa.com/pages/our-story.

        Reply
    2. Dave

      December 06, 2017 at 11:45 pm

      Do you still collect Thermos brand items? I recently came across a vintage Thermos Jumbo Vacuum Jar with a set of bowls inside it along with a metal bowl with lid to carry hot lunch, I'm assuming. Anyway I have no idea what to do with this thing so any recommendations on where I could sell something like this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

      Reply
    3. Douglas Larsen

      March 03, 2017 at 8:16 pm

      I have a Thermos from the 1950's? 1960's? in the original box it was sold in it has a red top and a red/black yellow tartan outside, I dont collect them lol

      Reply
    4. Shabby Marilyn

      April 09, 2014 at 8:34 pm

      Wow, great collection, love love

      Reply
    5. Sherry@Back2Vintage

      April 08, 2014 at 4:00 pm

      Did you plan for the height to be different on each Thermos? If you didn't, then THAT is spooky!!!

      Reply
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