Mustache sentiment cups make trendy bargains
May 2022
ANTIQUE DETECTIVE
Mustache sentiment cups make trendy bargains
by Anne Gilbert
Take a look — Mustaches and beards are seen everywhere! It couldn’t be a better time to give a second glance to gifting or collecting antique and vintage mustache sentiment cups. You probably aren’t familiar with them, but beginning in the mid-19th century they were a “hot” necessity. They have never stopped being made around the world and were part of the sentiment cup gift craze that began in the 19th century.
Sentiment cups had a variety of greetings. “Merry Christmas” was a favorite. Other popular greetings were “To a friend,” “remember me” and “a friend.” Among the most collectible are those with a copper luster glaze and applied-raised motifs, such as fruit and flowers.
Their decoration technique was often done during the hand painting hobby in America during the first few years of the 20th century. They were also made in sterling silver by companies such as Tiffany.
Historically, the mustache cup was invented in 1860 by an Englishman, Harvey Adams. The cup had a ledge with one semicircular opening against the side of the cup. The mustache stayed safe and dry on the guard. The new invention was soon available all over Europe and America. Companies such as Royal Crown Derby, Limoges, and Royal Bayreuth; others created their own versions.
From 1860 to 1916, the British Military actually required all of the military brass to wear mustaches as an image of authority. Since mustache wax was applied to keep mustaches stiff, drinking hot liquids would melt the wax, causing it to drip into the liquid. The rimmed mustache cup solved the problem.

Antique Victorian mustache cups
Antique Victorian mustache cups and saucers (Image courtesy of Violet & Valley Antiques)
Mustache spoons
Mustache spoons were created at the same time to keep men’s mustaches from getting entangled with soup vegetables.
The earliest made in America were marked with names, leading buyers to think they were made in England, since English ceramics were popular at the time.
Between 1920 and 1930, mustaches went out of style. As a result, few cups were made.
CLUES:
In the 1970s reproductions of Victorian mustache and sentiment cups were made in Japan. They were marked on the bottom, in red, R.S. Prussia.
Currently, prices are under $50, so it’s a great time to start a collection.
She has authored nine books on antiques, collectibles, and art and appeared on national TV.
She has done appraisals for museums and private individuals.
The history of animal cracker containers and other tins
April 2022 ANTIQUE DETECTIVE The history of animal cracker containers and other tins by Anne Gilbert Chances are that you or someone in your family have eaten animal crackers and loved every bite. Perhaps you are even a collector of the tin boxes they came in....
Collectible old pewter came in many forms
March 2022ANTIQUE DETECTIVECollectible old pewter came in many formsby Anne Gilbert You might be surprised to learn that many items of 17th and 18th centuries still come up for sale at modest prices. Also, there are many collectors around the world, including...
Trendy autograph collecting needs careful research
February 2022ANTIQUE DETECTIVETrendy autograph collecting needs careful researchby Anne Gilbert While many once- popular collectibles are languishing, nothing seems to stop autograph collectors from spending big bucks. The question is, are their purchases...
Small, antique painted wooden boxes can have big price tag
January 2022ANTIQUE DETECTIVESmall, antique painted wooden boxes can have big price tagby Anne Gilbert The humble wooden boxes The humble wooden boxes made in 18th-century America are popular and collectible when colorfully painted. As a November Americana...
Old laundry items are popular collectibles
December 2021ANTIQUE DETECTIVEOld laundry items are popular collectiblesby Anne Gilbert Would you pay $149 for a wood-and-glass washboard made in the 1940s? How about a 1920s old clothes wringer priced at $114? Such items are finding their way into restaurants...
What’s going on with dollhouse collectibles?
November 2021ANTIQUE DETECTIVEWhat’s going on with dollhouse collectibles?by Anne Gilbert Dollhouses and their mini furnishings have a history going back centuries. Not only has their purpose changed but what is being collected has changed as well. Some...