Are the Relpo Valentine-lady figurine planters being reproduced?
My husband collects them, and this year he’s seeing many online advertised as “like new.” Some are going for a lot of money. I’m talking about the figurine planters with white dresses covered with hearts. A: Relpo, short for the Reliable Glassware & Pottery Co., was the sales division of Samson Import Co., a Chicago importer. Samson was founded by Samuel Krivit in 1933, and Relpo was started by his son, Jerome. The Krivits, like other American importers, bought ceramics from Japan, including lady head vases and figurine planters. We have not yet heard that anyone is making new Valentine figurine planters like Relpo’s, which included a lady holding a closed umbrella and a lady putting a letter in a mailbox. The figurine planters are popular with collectors, and it’s possible someone found some stored boxes of originals. Tip: A paste of baking soda and water can be used to clean old enameled cast-iron pots. ยข The Kovels answer as many questions as possible through the column. By sending
