The Holy Grail Of Vintage Disney Cookie Jars That Collectors Dream Of Finding

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Ready to dive down the rabbit hole that is collecting Disney memorabilia? Allow us to introduce you to one of the most magical pieces of all. One of the valuable vintage jars you should be looking for at thrift stores, the Regal China Alice in Wonderland cookie jar is an incredibly rare find. It was manufactured by Illinois-based Regal China Corporation — a now-defunct pottery company known for crafting character-based cookie jars, teapots, and salt and pepper shakers — in 1951, the year the Disney film of the same name hit theaters.

Measuring in at 13.5 inches tall, the design features a frightened Alice (perhaps one who's just encountered the Cheshire Cat and Mad Hatter) with her mouth agape and her arms raised. The ceramic piece also has a set of mushrooms on its base and opens at the waist of Alice's puff sleeve dress and pinafore outfit. While Regal China did not release exactly how many of the jars they manufactured, it is considered to be both extremely hard to find and quite desirable, as few have survived the past seven-plus decades. Those lucky enough to get their hands caught in this cookie jar should expect to shell out at least $800, though pristine versions have sold for up to $4,000.

Don't worry, you're not late, late for the very important date of tracking down this vintage piece. If you wish upon a star, it's possible that you could strike it lucky when scouring the shelves at a thrift store chain or flea market. But if every adventure requires a first step, best to move in the direction of high-end memorabilia and antique auction sites. Among those you could click through are Heritage Auctions, Hake's Auctions, and Invaluable.

Peer-to-peer sites such as eBay and LiveAuctioneers could also prove to be the most magical place on the Internet. Be sure to set alerts using both the official name and phrases such as "startled Alice Disney jar." To ensure its authenticity, check for both the Walt Disney Productions copyright on the bottom and the Alice in Wonderland inscription. You'll also want to take note of any damage. You could potentially see areas where the paint has flaked off or hairline fractures in the pottery or glaze. But if you struggle to receive an invite to this particular tea party, consider changing course toward other vintage cookie jars that are worth looking out for when thrifting.