Martha by Mail ~ Cookie Collection Catalog

Quite recently I was given a small catalog by my good friend, Janet, to add to my collection of Martha by Mail items. I had not been aware that such a booklet existed, so when it arrived I was beyond thrilled. The very early sets of copper cookie cutters had their own dedicated catalog that was sent to customers who bought them in the late 90s. In it, iced cookies were shown with or without the cutters, along with brief descriptions of what they were. This was an antecedent to the much larger catalog that was later to be published on a quarterly basis. Many of these images were used throughout the years in the Martha by Mail catalog as well as in Martha Stewart Living magazine.

Since the little catalog is indeed rare, if you ever come across one I encourage you to keep it in a safe place. You can make copies of it to have in your kitchen (like Janet has done) so that you have a reference when you’re icing and decorating cookies, but keep the original intact and smudge-free.

There are only a few pages in it, and some of the images may already be familiar to you (I’ve written about all of them already), but it’s good to go through this little gem of a booklet.

This is for all of you who collect Martha by Mail passionately.

Martha by Mail Cookie Collection Catalog

Noah's Ark Cookie Cutter Set

"Martha likes to decorate these animals colorfully with royal icing and sugar--green elephants, blue lions, polka-dotted polar bears. Handcrafted in durable copper, these beautiful animal silhouette cutters have rolled edges to protect the baker's hands. Each cutter is stamped with our logo. Complete set includes nine animals ready for gift-giving in a sectioned, ark-shaped box; dove (smallest, 2 1/2"), alligator, bear, elephant, horse, lion, kangaroo, lamb, and giraffe (tallest, 7"). A reusable template makes the ark, and an instruction booklet provides recipes for cookies and royal icing, plus decorating techniques and ideas."

Cookie Decorating Kit

Tree & House Cookie Cutters

Prancing Reindeer & Snowflake Cookie Cutters

Hatching Bunny & Barnyard Hen

Sugar Squirrel & Mighty Acorn Cookie Cutters

Owl & Bat Cookie Cutters

Heart & Hand Cookie Cutters

Moon & Star Cookie Cutters

Miniature Butterfly Cookie Cutters

Thank You Janet!!

Antique Salt Cellars

There was a time when salt cellars played an important role on the dining table for the host or hostess. As a result of it being such an expensive commodity several hundred years ago, salt was seen as a luxury and it was the well to do that made salt cellars quite fashionable & a status symbol for the home. A single salt cellar usually sat at the head of the table and was passed around throughout the meal. The closer one sat to the salt cellar, the more important one was deemed by the head of the household. Smaller cellars that were more accessible and with an open top became a part of Victorian table settings. Fast forward to the 20th century when salt was no longer a luxury and when anti caking agents were added to make salt free-flowing, and one begins to see salt cellars fall out of fashion. Luckily for the collector and for those of us who like to set a table with Good Things , this can prove to be a boon. Salt cellars for the table come in silver, porcelain, cut glass

Collecting Jadeite

With its origins dating back to the 1930s, jadeite glassware began its mass production through the McKee Glass Co. in Pennsylvania. Their introduction of the Skokie green & Jade kitchenware lines ushered in our fascination with this jade color. Glassmakers catered jadeite to the American public as an inexpensive alternative to earthenware soon after the Depression, both for the home and for its use in restaurants. The Jeanette Glass Company and Anchor Hocking introduced their own patterns and styles, which for many collectors, produced some of the most sought after pieces. Companies marketed this beautiful glass under the monikers of jadite , jadeite , jade glass , jad-ite , jade-ite , so however you want to spell it, let it draw you in for a closer look. If you want a thorough history of the origins of jadeite, collectors’ pricing, patterns & shapes (don’t forget the reproductions in 2000), I highly suggest picking up the book by Joe Keller & David Ross called, Jadei

A Tour of Turkey Hill with Martha Stewart and Friends

Martha Stewart led an intimate tour of her former Westport, Connecticut home and gardens for a few of my friends this past weekend. From the photographs I've seen of that special day, it was an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime by those who were in attendance. As much as I regret not going to this momentous occasion, my friends were kind enough to allow me to share their amazing photographs here on the blog. Let's take a tour of Turkey Hill with Martha Stewart and a few of my friends. Without the kindness of Jeffrey Reed, Dennis Landon, Darrin David, Anthony Picozzi and Colin Eastland, this post would not be possible. It must also be stated that the fundraising event was graciously hosted by the current owners of Turkey Hill, the Bergs. Many thanks to the Berg family for opening up the property. Turkey Hill is the Federal style home that was purchased, renovated and landscaped by Martha Stewart and her then husband, Andy, back in 1970. It was he

JanetJune 12, 2013 at 12:20 PM
You are such a darling friend, David. It was my pleasure to share this found treasure with you. I knew no one would appreciate it more than you!

Thank you for your kind mention. Now, if only we could find that little set of mini butterfly cookie cutters. One for you and one for me!

xo
Marion's KidJune 12, 2013 at 1:24 PM
David.. Thanks,again, for the information on the inserts that arrived with the cookie cutters. I have most of them and am surprised you say they are rare. Did MBM discontinue enclosing them after a while. I am an early user of the cookie cutters, think older! (yikes) so the 90's is the time I would have started to receive them.I also meant to thank you for the new way to clean the copper. I think I like it much better than the lemons. They really get bright.. but not too much.
Love your blog and have a great summer!
JohnJune 12, 2013 at 2:47 PM
What a nice booklet you have there! I remember those cookies & cookie cutters so fondly, but never got the chance to buy them.

THanks for the post!
Good Things by DavidJune 12, 2013 at 2:50 PM
Janet, I can't thank you enough! I love having this catalog at my fingertips. As for those mini butterfly cutters, I have seen them on ebay before, so good luck!!

xoxo,
David
Good Things by DavidJune 12, 2013 at 2:53 PM
Marion's Kid,

Those inserts "Creating Cookies" are NOT rare. They were included with every single cutter set & did change at some point. I'll have to do another post on that too!

What I meant was that this particular "catalog/booklet" called "Cookie Collection" is rare. I've never seen anyone post it up on ebay or have it in a set they were selling.

Oh, yes, enjoy that CIA method of cleaning the cutters! Safe & effective. :)

David
Good Things by DavidJune 12, 2013 at 2:54 PM
John,

I know what you mean about missing out on them. There are things from the catalog I never was able to order and regret it to this day!

Have a great one.

David
UnknownDecember 14, 2017 at 9:59 AM
Do you have the original sugar cookie recipe that came in the booklet? I can't seem to find mine and it was delicious. :)

Good Things by David

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