Interview with Gary Graham Part 2

Is there still a cocktail shaker or bar item you have heard about but never seen? Something like the Holy Grail of Shakers?

For all cocktail shaker collectors there is the never seen but much anticipated discovery of a cobalt lady’s leg cocktail shaker. If I should ever find or see one, I hope I have all my medications available. It will be a shocking surprise.


What do you think about modern bar design; ie; the Flip Top shaker by Metrokane?

I monitor modern designs only with casual interest.
I have purchased all the Restoration Hardware reproduction cocktail shakers including their airplane shaker.


Do you think reproducing vintage shakers is a good idea?

I think it’s a good idea as long as they are clearly recognized as reproductions. For the majority of collectors, the only way we will be able to represent the Wallace Brothers Rooster, the Zeppelins, the Airplanes, the Lighthouses, and other very rare cocktail shakers in our collections will be through the reproductions. Since these original shakers are so rare and often held in permanent collections, they are almost impossible to find.

What are your future projects and plans.

I plan to keep my website (www.thejazzage.com) active and interesting to cocktail shaker collectors. I will always be a buyer for cocktail shakers that are rare, interesting or that fill spots in my own collection. And, I’m always pleased when people who are not collectors enjoy buying vintage cocktail shakers as gifts for friends and family. And, of course, we plan on attending the Tales of the Cocktail Conference in New Orleans in July, 2009.


Can you tell us a few homepages where we can find further information about shakers and bar ware?
In Port Hope, Ontario, Canada, I like
http://www.decollect.com/page/page/229491.htm
John Freedman has a nice website with cocktail items:
http://trocadero.com/contempo/


Photo Caption
Gary & Joy Graham (a few years ago) celebrating New Year’s Eve in Istanbul.
The cocktail was a “First Lady”. This cocktail won the city-wide new cocktail recipe competition and was named for then Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Çiller.
The recipe:
4 cl Gin
1.5 cl Mandarin Liqueur
1 cl Casis
1 cl Archers
8 cl Orange Juice

Interview with Gary Graham Part 1

Personal information:


My name is Gary Graham. My wife, Joy, and I live , along with our Miniature Schnauzer Zelda, in the Northern Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia USA.
Winchester, Virginia is about one hour from Washington, DC.
My wife and I retired from positions in community colleges in 2000 & we devote much time to travel, theatre, reading & collecting.


How did you get started collecting?

We have been very enthusiastic about antiques and collectibles for 40 years. Items from the Art Deco era were always favorites but the prices for these items continued to increase. One day at an antique market, I noticed an especially attractive cocktail shaker (a Chase shaker, I believe) with all its Deco characteristics. I also noticed the very affordable price. From that day I concentrated on developing a collection of vintage cocktail shakers. Of course, the collecting enthusiasm was increased by my love of martinis and manhattans. When Stephen Visakay’s book (Vintage Bar Ware) was published it seems that thousands of collectors became interested in cocktail shakers. By then I had over 300 shakers & enjoyed watching the prices go up.

How many shakers do you have and how do you store them?

We probably own about 300 cocktail shakers & they are displayed in our office and dining room and, unfortunately, some have to be stored in our basement, garage and storage unit.

Which is the oldest and which did you buy last?

I bought a Heisey rooster head cocktail shaker in Baltimore, Maryland in 1978 and it is still on display in my collection. My most recent purchase was a green cut-to-clear glass cocktail shaker.

Which is your favorite shaker and why? And do you have one with a personal story?

My favorite shaker is the small aeroplane traveling bar/cocktail shaker set that was made in Germany in the 1920’s. This set is extremely rare and the one I own has its original leather carrying case in the shape of an airplane hangar.

I have a James Bond-type case that carries a bottle of Plymouth Gin (my favorite), small bottle of martini-Rossi dry vermouth, a cocktail shaker, two glasses & a container for olives. It goes with me wherever I travel and my traveling companions have come to expect very dry, very cold martinis at 5:00 p.m. wherever we are.