Who doesn’t love the City by the Bay? Here are all my favorite vintage SF collectibles in one group for your consideration.

*** NAPKIN/LETTER HOLDER - 50s TILES & METAL

This is a small holder with colorful Tiles with a Black Metal Frame can be for napkins or mail. It celebrates seven of the favorite San Francisco attractions: Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Warf, Chinatown, Coit Tower, Cable Cars, Crookedst Street (Lombard), and Cliff House.

The black painted thin metal frame displays two attached ceramic painted tiles showing bright vivid multicolored images without any damage. The tiles have a fabric backing. Some of the frame’s black paint is gone. Overall, this little gem is in surprisingly good condition.

The holder measures 4 ¼” wide, 5” tall including the stand, and 1 ¾” deep not including stand which adds another inch to each side.

There is no maker’s mark but it has a similar style to ones made in Japan. It’s cool mid-century kitsch with a practical purpose.

*** SALT & PEPPER SHAKERS - POWELL STREET 1950s CABLE CARS

What a cute pair these SF cable cars make with their colorful green, red and yellow shiny glaze. The tops have “San Francisco” printed on the long sides, the number “514” embossed on the ends and amusing human figures standing and seated. According to the Cable Car Museum, “The first No. 514 was built by Mahoney Bros. in 1887…[and] was scrapped in Oct. 1963”.

The condition is very good with no chips, cracks, or crazing. There are plastic stoppers that might not be original. To dispense seasonings, one cable car has a single hole on the top, and the other has two holes.

Each one measures 2 ½” x 1 3/8” x 2” tall. Made in Japan in 50s or 60s. The importer, SNCO, sticker is long gone.

*** KEY CHAIN - GOLD TONE 1960s CABLE CAR FOB

This key fob from the 60s has great detail in gold-tone. There are red and turquoise rhinestones on the short ends. The chain attaches to the top center and has the mid-century style closure on the ring.

The cable car fob portion measures 1 1/4” long, ¾“ tall and 5/8” wide. The ring and chain are 2 ½” long. There’s no maker’s mark on the metal but an old tag with “M.F.K.” is still attached. Great condition - a real treasure!

*** COFFEE MUG - RED ETCHED SF SKYLINE PRE-2000

This is a stout ceramic mug in excellent condition sold by SF Mercantile. The glossy red exterior is etched all around with the skyline of the city. Each side has “San Francisco” etched in cursive below the skyline.

It stands 4” tall and has an opening diameter of 3 5/8”. It has a 14 oz capacity. The interior is clean, glossy white and free of stains. There are no issues, scratches or scuffs inside or out.

I believe this was produced before 2000 and is no longer available from the distributor.

The bottom stamp reads “Designed by Artists Who Live, Love, & Laugh in the CITY BY THE BAY”, SF Mercantile, San Francisco, CA, www.sfmercantile.com, 14 oz, Dishwasher and Microwave Safe, Made in China”.


Thanks for looking.