Salt & Pepper Shakers! Collecting versus Hoarding? Is there a difference?
- Colleen McIntosh
- Jul 24, 2024
- 14 min read
Updated: Aug 2, 2024
Let’s start off by boring you with a little spice history! Salt & Pepper - which we take for granted - had quite a fortuitous debut! Salt – sodium chloride (NaCl) – has been around since 6000 BCE – cultivated in the Shangxi Province in China. Salt is a necessary dietary supplement for survival – respiration, digestion, fluid regulation, etc. (water retention – like you’re a camel or sponge). Salt was not only used in culinary application – but used as a preservative, medicine and trade commodity. It has been said that the birth of civilization was based on the discovery and pursuit of SALT. A great book to read about the history of this seasoning phenomenon is – “SALT: A World History by Mark Krulansky”.
Peppercorns (Piper Nigrum) didn’t have quite as an auspicious history as salt – but still considered “Black Gold” and treated as a monetary unit for trade and payment. It was considered medicinal, curative and preservative in its uses – not just for flavoring food. Pepper origins began in Kerala, India and limited to the rich (typical!!) – until the Age of Discovery – where it became available for everyone (like us poor shlubs). I love pepper and heavy handed when applying it to my food. Can't live without either of these seasonings!
A Frenchman, Francois Pierre La Varenne, an influential celebrity chef and one of the royal chefs to King Louis XIV, combined Salt and Pepper on the “Royal Buffet” and encouraged the realm to pair these two complimentary spices that have now become our day-to-day condiments for every meal. Apparently, King Louis XIV, had a simple (boring) palate and beheaded anyone who disagreed!
Originally Salt was served in a small bowl (salt cellar) with a miniature spoon. Salt was prone to clumping pending the humidity levels any given day. The invention of the Salt & Pepper shakers did not evolve until they found a solution to the “caking” effect. For example, the salt company, Morton International, Inc., had a trademark slogan with a girl holding an umbrella and container of pouring salt in the rain – “When it rains it pours” – for a reason. Non-caking salt didn’t become a reality until the 20th century – around the late 1920’s.
History lesson is now over! On to my Salt & Pepper Shakers! Collecting versus Hoarding? Is there a differnece?
Hoarding - Definition - Psychological: The compulsion to continually accumulate a variety of items that are often considered useless or worthless by others accompanied by an inability to discard the items without great distress (Merriam Webster)
I’ve mentioned in my book and many of my blogs that I have OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). I do not medicate but meditate and embrace my quirky nature. Hoarding is defined as a compulsion sans control. I have learned to recognize my “limits” when it pertains to my compulsive personality. Not everyone would agree with that "limits" statement, but my multiple personalities take offense! There were certain periods in
my life that triggered an OCD reactive episode for an extended cycle of crazy. For example: when I was performing as an actress in my 20’s – I started collecting stuffed animals (teddy bears, Opus penguins, etc.). It’s fairly obvious what this meant. I was scared and lacked confidence (low self-esteem), so I sought comfort in my soft, cuddly companions who adored me unconditionally (in my head). That ended when I built up my confidence (a little) – but I did not discard these “anxiety security blankets” (friends) for 40 years. They are now in my yard sale pile and will be given away to a child who needs them. So, the word "hoarding" leaves a distressful taste in my mouth!
My Salt & Pepper collection began when I turned 30 and got married the first time. 75% of my S&P collection was acquired during my 5-year prison term of passive aggressiveness (marriage). I consider this as my “Reign of OCD Terror!” A half decade during which I was emotionally abused by a man who loved his position of poisonous power! Collecting Salt & Peppers was the only thing he didn’t control (plus cleaning like a f**king lunatic). Enough about he-who-shall-not-be-named!! Searching and discovering these gems made life bearable!
Once S&P’s became the norm and mass produced – the idea of collecting these everyday spices - in fun, wacky containers - became popular. A lot of households have at least one kitschy S&P - but I have over 200 – so I suppose that I went a little overboard (lost control) and am now labeled as a collector (hoarder).
Collecting versus hoarding? Is there a difference?
I’ve written about how my S&P interest (obsession) began in my blog - "Growing Up Middle(ing) - Part 3 – You were a Mistake!!”
“When you entered my GG’s house – there was an unheated enclosed porch. This porch contained one of two frivolous feminine passions of my staid, sober and unyielding GG Sade. She had a huge hutch cabinet filled with a unique and fun Salt & Pepper collection. Since she made me nervous, and I did not want her glaring eye to find fault – I spent hours in that freezing or steaming room – pending the season – memorizing her huge entertaining collection. I couldn’t touch them, but I was enchanted by them. It gave me insight into this woman that I was related to and feared. Jump forward 30 years – and I now have a Salt & Pepper collection of around 200 (which might get its own blog). Her collection was split up amongst all her living children when she passed – even though none collected. I was able to find a large portion of the S&P’s that she accrued. So, I did inherit that one fanciful hobby gene, but I smile more. Gives me solace when I look at them. I’ve also mentioned in a previous blog that my sister, Bridget, was GG Sade’s favorite. I believe she actually smiled when she saw Bridget. This woman baked the BEST cinnamon rolls I’ve ever (almost) tasted. Meaning – when you’d enter her home, the sweet mouth-watering smell of cinnamon, sugar and bread made you dizzy with hunger and excitement. I would ignore the S&P collection entranced by the aroma. BUT, as we all entered in anticipation of the reward of that heavenly treat and Bridget was duly fawned over – GG Sade would announce, “You all must wait until Bridget has her cinnamon rolls. She goes first.” Bridget didn’t lord it over us or consume the huge tray of rolls by herself – but the favoritism did dampen our (my) enthusiasm. At least I had my tiny little solitary corner on the porch!”
Being a Middle Child may have influenced my desire to collect Salt & Peppers. Any means necessary to garner attention. Even though my great grandmother Sade scared the sh*t out of me – I was enchanted by this menagerie of paired objects that are mundane tabletop condiments – but with a twist. We take them for granted – but if you surprise your family or guests with a woman lying on her back with detachable boobs as your salt and pepper shakers – then they “spice” up that otherwise boring dinner conversation!! It might even shock a couple diners into not talking at all!! Win..Win!!
My massive accumulation of Sodium Chloride and Piper Nigrum shakers come in a wide variety of Figural and Novelty receptacles. Figural are S&P’s that resemble “something else” and often the pair interact with each other or have multiple components. Novelty are basically non-functional and just for show (sh*ts and giggles). But all Novelty salt and peppers are considered Figural. I have some (a lot) of both. Typically, they are often found in the kitchen, dining room and as decorative knickknacks. My S&P’s are in Gullible’s Travels (camper) and in every room of our house including the bathroom (don’t worry – there is no seasoning or consumption of food while on the toilet - I do have limits). Often they come in sets – with cookie jars, cannisters or kitchen artware. I don’t have room for “sets” but have collected some S&P’s from them. There are categories/themes that have been established over the decades:
A. People
B. Animal
C. Plant
D. Appliance
E. Transportation
F. Structure
G. Container
H. Miscellany
Also created and manufactured from a variety of materials:
a. Clay
b. Stoneware
c. Earthenware
d. China
e. Porcelain
f. Plastic
g. Ceramic
h. Metal
i. Wood
j. Glass
k. Etc.
They are labeled as the following classifications:
1. People
2. Animals
3. Advertisers/Brand Icons
4. Trays
5. Nesters
6. Sitters
7. Holders
8. Kissers
9. Hangers
10. Benchers
11. Huggers
12. Nodders
13. Go-togethers
14. Holidays
15. Theme
Pending the decade – I also went through a phase of collecting specific S&P's -Disney, Looney Tunes, Amish, chefs, plastic, etc. My initial intentions when I decided to start this collection was to find as many of the S&P’s that my Great Grandmother Sade had in her entryway hutch. Like a dog with a bone I found a lot of them (and then some!!).
To give you some background on growing up in Maine – almost every woman I knew collected something! It was a rite of passage to claim my “tchotchke” talisman – singular to my personality and wiccan power. Some of the ladies collected cookie jars, Allagash clay pottery, Barbie dolls, frogs, etc. Each unique to that person. However, there were some who coveted all collectibles. You did not want to antique shop with that person – because when you spied your objet d’ art across the jumbled room of discarded curiosities – she would zero in on your prey (knickknack) with competitive zeal and leap like a hungry tiger to claim the prized possession. I don’t think it was animosity that drove her – but a need to have all things desired. Others in my family couldn’t seem to select just one passion – but needed to fill a hole in their souls – and collect a little of everything. There are some members of my family that can’t stop collecting and have fallen into a new category – called hoarding – or the collector of all memories!
I won’t name names – except my own! Levels of hoarding a variety of collectibles - with one winning the coveted spot in my soul - Salt & Pepper Shakers!
My sister was visiting recently, and we were talking about relocating and the angst of moving an entire household of your life's ambitions of collecting sh*t. As I chattered on about inane things – I see my sister subtly glancing around my living room – and here her quietly say, “I would not want to pack up your house.” That shut me up (for a whole 2 seconds). Every time my husband and I continue our conversation about moving to another home, state, country – I put myself in my sister’s head and want to vomit. I’m not the extreme hoarder that would be chosen for a sick reality show (I think?). I’m not at the level of - “I can’t walk through my house without tripping over piles of newspapers, flattened boxes, recycling bags, etc.” (yet) – but I have a lot of STUFF! I am unable to just have the obvious books on a shelf without adding an S&P. I can’t imagine purging these memory mementos. Therapeutically feeding my rooms rather than my soul. I suspect I am the sibling that inherited the “Hoarding Gene!"
I struggled to find my “totem” (collectible) over the years. I tested the waters with Marilyn Monroe artifacts, but it was a short-lived endeavor. I tinkered with other items like doilies, quilts, hats, etc. I really love cobalt blue glass objects – but am particular about it being a true cobalt blue – like the original Vicks jar – very dense (like my head). I collected this for several years – but stopped about the time I married Ed. I still have a lot of them but have asked people (my mom) to stop gifting me blue glass (Avon’s attempt at blue glass). They just go in the eaves for the next yard sale. Apparently, I do have limits.
I began my Salt and Pepper collection in my early 30’s. I was living in Pennsylvania with my first husband (mistake) – near Amish country and a ton of antique stores. I became a regular. I found most of my GG Sade’s in Lancaster. When I finally woke up (from a matrimonial nightmare) and left my ex – I made sure to box up all the S&P’s and remove them from his house (never our house) before he used it against me – in a custody battle! And believe me – he would have. He tried to keep my Great Grandmother’s quilt – just because it would hurt me.
I suspect my desire to recreate my GG’s collection is my way of being worthy of her affections. My twisted yearning for her recognition. Unrequited love is a painful master and no amount of Salt and Peppers can fill the black hole or take away that 65-year-old “Owie.” But, in time, I honestly loved finding the S&P that blew me away. A unique discovery in the dusty confines of a poorly ventilated old barn – Antique Shop. I Love the Smell of Antiquity in the morning!! (a little “Apocalypse Now” humor)
As my collection grew over the years – I had to get inventive of what-went-where in our Hobbit-sized home – spreading the joy so it made sense. I quickly lost control of that logic – but have managed to bundle my S&P’s in a manner that suits my OCD (I never claimed sanity as an excuse or defense).
I have very few practical S&P’s – for daily use. I prefer peppercorns and have an old grinder from Greece that was Ed’s mother's and a ceramic “salt” container that we dole out by spoon or fingers. These are for everday cooking and seasoning. I have some glass ones from Grammy Doris that I cherish. I did get a few of GG Sade’s that my mom and grammy secretly saved for me. I got a couple Frog’s from my Great Aunt Viola who I adore and hope to be some day (she’s the Funny Nutty Aunt). My sister has given me a couple from her cookie jar collection sets (she’s not a hoarder anymore and sold her CJ collection at auction – except for one holding her past puppy ashes). My family of collectors have honored my assuming the mantle of “Keeper of Salt and Pepper Shakers” – filling my predecessors uncomfortable and serviceable footwear.
When it comes to Antique shopping with family – I furtively watched their bartering skills. My Grandmother Doris – the sweetest woman in the universe – could haggle down the most corrupt of antique dealers. It was fascinating to behold. I tried to use those learned skills when hunting in Amish Country. I remember one instance that involved a S&P shaker of renown – and failed spectacularly. I began with an expression of uncertainty – as if not fully committed to purchasing this $12 set of frivolity. The stoic Amish woman behind the counter – in her dark gray handmade long dress and cape (apron) – complete with a cap to cover her hair – and her expression of barely concealed disapproval - showed no mercy. I was probably wearing short work out tights and a colorful patterned mini dress with Aerobic shoes (early 90's). I kept picking up the S&P and then setting it down. Then I cunningly murmured, “Would you accept $8 for this? The paint is peeling.” She picked it up and looked at the tag and said, “No.” I caved and handed over a $20 and hoped I got the correct change back and fled the barn with a red splotchy face of shame and defeat. This confirmed that I sucked at bartering (calling my bluff) and knew that I had not inherited my Grandmother’s uncanny skill of negotiation. I never tried again. Amish scare me.
I love food. I love spice. I love frivolity. I love collecting S&P’s. They are affordable, small, colorful, amusing and warm my cold black heart.
There must be some psychological explanation why I chose S&P’s. I’ve already mentioned craving my GG Sade’s approval and my OCD. I suspect the “spice” aspect of the collectible had something to do with my innate desires. Not desires like spicing up my sex life – but more along the lines of spicing up my day-to-day life and having a rich, bold, extraordinary existence. Spicier in all aspects of my personality and reality (fantasy). In some respects, I’ve achieved certain “extraordinary” attributes – such as: eccentric, oddball, bizarre, peculiar. Not what I intended – but I accept my fate as weird. My husband calls me “Head Weirdo!” At least I excel at something!
During the Covid lockdown – I had to distract myself from this apocalyptic pandemic – so I decided to spring clean. All businesses were closed initially – and minutiae disinfecting my entire house made perfect sense at the time (OCD says, “What?”). I won’t go into all the details of that insanity – but I started at 6am and stopped at 6pm – everyday for 2 weeks. I also recorded/posted everything I did and took pictures. I gathered a following – watching a f**king old lady lose her sh*t on social media. I cleaned every room top to bottom and sideways. I cleaned everything on every shelf and surface. That included my Salt & Peppers. I shared my cleaning tips as well – and I used a soft toothbrush to get into all the nooks and crannies of each set (200 x 2 = 400). I had to be careful that I didn’t scrape off paint or damage them in any way – but they took on a new life after my methodical cleansing. Covid = germs = illness = death. OCD = fanatic = sanitized = life. All makes sense to me. My husband and pets watched in horror and avoided me until I collapsed.
We have no children, and I don’t think my pets want my S&P’s. I asked my nephew, Ross, a long time ago if he wanted my collection when I died. He said yes at the time, but I suspect he regrets (or doesn’t remember) that decision. I’ve reversed my offer in writing – in my will. I’d love the collection sold as a whole. I won’t care (I’ll be dead) but I’d come back and haunt them if they toss it in the garbage (which is what my nephew currently does, now that he has his own home and children). Apparently, sentimentality is for old people (boomers).
When my husband and I first discussed our final (end-of-life) wishes – I thought it would be fun to distribute my ashes among every salt and pepper and then give them away to family, friends and sell at yard sales – and neglect to tell them I’m inside. Just sprinkle me on your next meal and enjoy a little parti(cle) of me!! Ed was a little horrified!
On that cheerful note – I hope you found some pleasure in reading about my hobby and feel better about yourselves – that you do not have the same passion (compulsion) about Salt & Peppers - that I do! I have not purchased a S&P in many years. The last one I got was from my sister – with an apology for adding another to my massive collection/obsession. It was S&P Skunks. A loving (embarrassing) reminder of the nickname my father gave me as a toddler – STINKY! Dad hated poopy diapers but loved a good laugh!
I am not the compulsive hoarder that I used to be (I ran out of space). Since I retired (escaped) from my job of 21 years – I’ve relaxed my need to OCD my every waking moment. I’ve just transferred some of that energy into writing copious notes, my book(s) and my blogs. So much more gratifying and something I can share with others (and doesn't need dusting). Of course, I need to turn some of that energy into marketing and “collecting” a bigger audience!!
Now that you've gotten a peak into my Salt & Pepper collection - let’s end on a recent random memory: I do not eat anything with a hoof. I’ll eat protein that flies or swims. I eat a lot of chicken and I do a great impression of a chicken. My husband thinks I am part chicken. A couple nights ago – when prepping for bed (a whole involved routine because of all the pillows and quilt toppers) – Ed asked me to entertain him and sing a song - as a chicken. Odd request, but I was up for the challenge. The first song that popped into my head was, “Hey Jude.” So, I proceeded to “Bak-Bak-B’KAK” my way through a few verses before I collapsed on the floor, laughing so hard that I farted. We had tears running down our faces. One of my favorite parts of our day is getting ready for bed – because we go to sleep laughing! Good idea for a blog!
It's the little things (like S&P's) that separate us from the Hordes!!
My husband is the salt to my pepper! He's the salt of the earth and I pepper our home with a lot of S&P's and curse words!
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Colleen McIntosh
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