Vintage Thingies Thursday: A Bag of Bunnies

It is that time of the week again, Vintage Thingies Thursday hosted by Lisa at Confessions of an Apron Queen. This day always proves to be most interesting. I encourage you to visit The Apron Queen's site and check out all the vintage goodies on display there. It's a lot of fun.

This week, I have some really cute bunnies to show you. First off, let me tell you how I happened upon them.

I was in the process of planning a baby shower, and when I am in the planning mode, I often check our local Goodwill stores in the area for things I can use. That is what I was doing on this day, when I happened upon a large plastic bag of these little guys. At first, I just glanced at them, but then something caught my eye. In fact it was the bunny in this picture with the black ribbon around it's neck that caused me to take a second glance. After a second look, I realized these were vintage bunnies in this bag. A lot of bunnies to be exact. These went in the cart in record speed.

These bunnies are marked Japan on the bottom. The cute one holding the flowers has a cracked ear, which had been repaired. It's still adorable. The little guy with the black ribbon around its neck measures 3 in. tall. That should give you an idea on how small some of these are.

These have stamped Made in Japan on the bottom as well. I don't know if they were a set. They look like a momma and her bunny to me. So I took their picture together. How cute!
On second thought, it might be dad. Look at the look on his face, like he's not too happy about watching junior.

These two are most adorable. The one on the left, marked Japan is a small planter, I think. It is no more than 3 1/2 inches tall. The one on the right, I believe is a cotton ball holder. I have seen these in antique shops with cotton balls sticking out the backside, like a cottontail. There were several of these in the bag, some were pink, some blue. I just took a picture of a couple of them to show you how cute they are.
These are especially charming. There were several bunnies in the bag that give you the impression they are sleeping. However, they are ever alert to any dangers in the area, as they have that one ear up. The white one is a small planter. It still has it's original sticker on the bottom which says Haeger Pottery, Dundee, Ill. The tag is square, green and gold.

This is the largest of the bunnies I acquired that day. He is really no bigger than a coffee cup turned sideways. The adorable little guys sitting next to him are salt and pepper shakers. They are really quite cute.

I wanted to show you what a neat little added bonus on the underside of the large white bunny. I hope you can read it. This is such a personal touch to the collection.

This is the bunny who offers a hint of who the original owner of this cute collection might have been. It also dates the rabbit.
The inscription says:
To: Miss Jackson
From: Lavell L.Swindoll
Ft.Worth
May 1940
Do you see that little number "44" on the bottom of this rabbit? Well, every single rabbit in that bag had a little number on the bottom just like that. They were not in any order, just numbered. Some were missing, but all had a number. I found that interesting.

This one has no markings on the bottom, but it reminded me of Thumper from Bambi. Adorable.

This one....I'm not so sure about. He certainly was not my favorite....but he could be worth a mint. HaHa. This fellow has a sticker on the bottom, It is blue and silver, part of the sticker is missing, but what is visible says ".OTANGL Pottery" Now I'm not sure what first letters are missing. Maybe someone out there will recognize what sticker or pottery maker this one could be.

These adorable ducks were in the bag as well. They are really cute. I am quite sure they are vintage. I just had to let you see these cute little guys. I am saving this cute collection to display around Easter. I think they will fit in nicely with Easter decorations.

I have to tell you, the day I found this bag of goodies I was so excited. I could not wait to get home and see what treasures were there. But I must say, along with the excitement, also came a little sadness.
I was sad thinking about who these could have belonged to, and how did they end up at Goodwill. I know someone had to have loved these bunnies, because they are in excellent shape, and very well cared for. I find it hard to believe, someone did not want them. Want them for a keepsake, or memory of the person they belonged to. Living or not.

Since posting with Vintage Thingies Thursdays, I have thought a lot about what items become important to people, and why. I would like to encourage you to think about your own treasures, and seek out someone who will love them as you do. Don't ever think that the items you hold dear would not mean something to someone in your life. You just never know.
I am sure, if you take a moment, you will discover that there is someone willing to continue caring for and love your prized possessions as much as you do. Often times, the memories of the person associated with the object is worth far more than object itself. That is something money can not buy.

Just like this little bag of treasures, I find it hard to believe no one wanted these little bunnies. Maybe the owner just decided to get rid of them, and not inquire with anyone to see if they might like to have them.
None the less, they have found a good home with me. I will treasure them. And if they end up back at Goodwill, it will be because I have left this life, and not because I decided to just give them away to a stranger.
~~Hint to my dear husband...we need a bigger house!