A rare and lovely Art Deco Napier Tells-U-How (Tells You How) cocktail shaker, circa 1930s. Truly a cool piece. Patented in 1935, this wonderful silver-plated cocktail shaker is a true classic. Shaker shaker is heavier in weight and consists of four pieces - the shaker body with 15 classic cocktail recipes engraved on it, an outer covering which turns to show the corresponding recipe, strainer top piece, and domed lid. Napier marketed this shaker as a "Tells U How Beverage Mixer" that "tells you what to use and how much" (that was on their original marketing ad for this Art Deco shaker). The cocktail recipes (listed in red font) are a Side Car, Tom Collins, Whisky Sour, Alexander, Bacardi, Between The Sheets, Bronx, Clover Club Dry Martini, Dubonnet, Gin Rickey, Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Orange Blossom and Palm Beach. Truly a magical and rare mixer.
A quick bit of history on Napier: The Napier Company was named after its president, James H. Napier, who led the company from 1920 to 1960. But the company's history can be tracked back to 1875 when it was founded as Whitney and Rice in Attleboro, Mass., manufacturing silver products. The firm changed hands and name in 1882 and became Carpenter and Bliss and shortly thereafter, E.A. Bliss and Co., Inc. After rapid expansion in the late 1880s the company moved to Meriden, CT in 1890. After WWI, the firm shifted emphasis from silver products to production of modern jewelry. James Napier became president in 1920 and the company adopted the name Napier - Bliss Co. In 1922, the name was changed to Napier Company. Like many jewelry companies Napier got into lines of art objects and other utilitarian objects like cocktail shakers. In the early to mid 1930s they started producing several cocktail shakers (most notably this 'Tells-You-How" shaker (also referred to as "Dial-a-Drink" shaker) and other pieces of barware including their well-known graduated/stepped jigger and the mechanical/valve jigger.
Maker/Era: Napier, 1930s
Hallmarks: "Napier" / "US And Foreign Patents Pending" can be found on the bottom of the shaker
Condition: Good vintage condition overall for a silver-plated shaker that's almost 90 years old, but this piece does show signs of age, tarnish, patina, and what we refer to as general "surface wear". We're pretty Type A about summarizing the exact condition of our vintage pieces so here's a complete summary:
1) There's general "surface wear" that includes micro fine "scratches" etc. here and there (when looking at the silverplating directly up to your eye)
2) There's tarnish in a number of places (we have not polished this piece)
3) There's are two shallow dings on the very top of the cap
4) There's a shallow ding on the lid (very tiny)
5) The bottom shows very shallow wear/dings on the very edges in two places
6) The silver-plating is in very good condition overall but does show general "age" (i.e. sometimes vintage silver-plating might appears ever so slightly an uneven tone in a place or two, purely due to the silver-plating over the brass and how it's chosen to age over the years) -- again, we're being pretty over the top and most people wouldn't notice but like to be very thorough.
The lid fits well and snugly. We're a bit over the top when it comes to describing every detail our vintage pieces, but we like to be thorough and emphasize this is a true vintage piece that's going on 90 years old. In short, this shaker is in good vintage condition overall but does show noticeable signs of age, general wear, and tarnish. *Please note: this piece has not been polished as some buyers are very particular about "as is" condition.
**Please Also Note: we typically do not test our shakers for leakage. We offer a variety of vintage shakers (both usable as well as collectible/display only). We are happy to put our shaker through a thorough leakage test (which involves filling it with liquid and rigorously shaking it) -- please message us if you'd like us to test this particular shaker. Cheers!
Measurements: A tad over 10 1/2" tall
**On shipping: We take our packaging very seriously and carefully wrap all pieces to ensure safe delivery. This shaker will be double-boxed to ensure safe arrival.
****Important to note pre-purchase: Buyers, please examine all photos carefully as we cannot accept returns due to the fragile nature (the possibility of breakage or damage when being shipped back) of our vintage/antique pieces. Our items are true vintage pieces that might have manufacturers flaws, flaws from age, or imperfections in general from being vintage. We try to explain the condition/description in an accurate and thorough manner but we ask that you please examine all photos carefully and ask all questions before purchasing an item as we are unable to accept returns due to the risk of breakage/damage.
>>> IMPORTANT UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS/PROOF OF ORDER ACCURACY & SHIPMENT: on orders with MULTIPLE pieces please note that if your order has more than one item/piece in it (so multiple pieces such as a set of jiggers, cocktail picks, tags, Julep cups, combined shipping orders, the screw cap on a flask or shaker, etc.) please take care to thoroughly empty the box and unpack ALL pieces which may be hidden in tissue paper, bubble wrap, peanuts, etc. We cannot be responsible if you accidentally throw one of your items away! We WILL be able to confirm with 100% certainty that we shipped ALL pieces in your order as we photograph/document ALL PIECES in the box it ships in along with the buyer’s order receipt, shipping label, and tracking number (in case we need to verify that all pieces were shipped once the package has been received). Thank you for shopping with us and cheers!
Inv Ref # NTU2
A quick bit of history on Napier: The Napier Company was named after its president, James H. Napier, who led the company from 1920 to 1960. But the company's history can be tracked back to 1875 when it was founded as Whitney and Rice in Attleboro, Mass., manufacturing silver products. The firm changed hands and name in 1882 and became Carpenter and Bliss and shortly thereafter, E.A. Bliss and Co., Inc. After rapid expansion in the late 1880s the company moved to Meriden, CT in 1890. After WWI, the firm shifted emphasis from silver products to production of modern jewelry. James Napier became president in 1920 and the company adopted the name Napier - Bliss Co. In 1922, the name was changed to Napier Company. Like many jewelry companies Napier got into lines of art objects and other utilitarian objects like cocktail shakers. In the early to mid 1930s they started producing several cocktail shakers (most notably this 'Tells-You-How" shaker (also referred to as "Dial-a-Drink" shaker) and other pieces of barware including their well-known graduated/stepped jigger and the mechanical/valve jigger.
Maker/Era: Napier, 1930s
Hallmarks: "Napier" / "US And Foreign Patents Pending" can be found on the bottom of the shaker
Condition: Good vintage condition overall for a silver-plated shaker that's almost 90 years old, but this piece does show signs of age, tarnish, patina, and what we refer to as general "surface wear". We're pretty Type A about summarizing the exact condition of our vintage pieces so here's a complete summary:
1) There's general "surface wear" that includes micro fine "scratches" etc. here and there (when looking at the silverplating directly up to your eye)
2) There's tarnish in a number of places (we have not polished this piece)
3) There's are two shallow dings on the very top of the cap
4) There's a shallow ding on the lid (very tiny)
5) The bottom shows very shallow wear/dings on the very edges in two places
6) The silver-plating is in very good condition overall but does show general "age" (i.e. sometimes vintage silver-plating might appears ever so slightly an uneven tone in a place or two, purely due to the silver-plating over the brass and how it's chosen to age over the years) -- again, we're being pretty over the top and most people wouldn't notice but like to be very thorough.
The lid fits well and snugly. We're a bit over the top when it comes to describing every detail our vintage pieces, but we like to be thorough and emphasize this is a true vintage piece that's going on 90 years old. In short, this shaker is in good vintage condition overall but does show noticeable signs of age, general wear, and tarnish. *Please note: this piece has not been polished as some buyers are very particular about "as is" condition.
**Please Also Note: we typically do not test our shakers for leakage. We offer a variety of vintage shakers (both usable as well as collectible/display only). We are happy to put our shaker through a thorough leakage test (which involves filling it with liquid and rigorously shaking it) -- please message us if you'd like us to test this particular shaker. Cheers!
Measurements: A tad over 10 1/2" tall
**On shipping: We take our packaging very seriously and carefully wrap all pieces to ensure safe delivery. This shaker will be double-boxed to ensure safe arrival.
****Important to note pre-purchase: Buyers, please examine all photos carefully as we cannot accept returns due to the fragile nature (the possibility of breakage or damage when being shipped back) of our vintage/antique pieces. Our items are true vintage pieces that might have manufacturers flaws, flaws from age, or imperfections in general from being vintage. We try to explain the condition/description in an accurate and thorough manner but we ask that you please examine all photos carefully and ask all questions before purchasing an item as we are unable to accept returns due to the risk of breakage/damage.
>>> IMPORTANT UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS/PROOF OF ORDER ACCURACY & SHIPMENT: on orders with MULTIPLE pieces please note that if your order has more than one item/piece in it (so multiple pieces such as a set of jiggers, cocktail picks, tags, Julep cups, combined shipping orders, the screw cap on a flask or shaker, etc.) please take care to thoroughly empty the box and unpack ALL pieces which may be hidden in tissue paper, bubble wrap, peanuts, etc. We cannot be responsible if you accidentally throw one of your items away! We WILL be able to confirm with 100% certainty that we shipped ALL pieces in your order as we photograph/document ALL PIECES in the box it ships in along with the buyer’s order receipt, shipping label, and tracking number (in case we need to verify that all pieces were shipped once the package has been received). Thank you for shopping with us and cheers!
Inv Ref # NTU2