Vintage Monday–Oyster Cans

Welcome to Vintage Monday.  Today’s topic is Vintage Oyster Cans.

 

Vintage Monday

My mom used to own a beach cottage and part of her kitchen décor included these oyster cans.  She grouped them on top of her kitchen cabinets along with large shells and mason jars filled with sand and shells.  It was a pretty display that we enjoyed very much.

Mama sold her beach cottage a few years ago and on the final move out day, these cans wouldn’t fit into her stuffed-to-the-brim station wagon, so they came home with me.  I once used them for a beach themed mantel display but other than that one use, they’ve been on a shelf in my basement.  My mom has more oyster cans stored in her basement that she didn’t use for decor at the beach.  One of these days I may share those with you as well.

I had a feeling that these cans might be somewhat collectible and I was correct.  You can find many oyster cans  for sale on both eBay and Etsy.

 

Vintage Oyster Can Collection

This gallon can is my favorite because I like its sailboat and sun graphic.

Vintage Oyster Can - virginiasweetpea.com

 

This is what the side of the can looks like.

Vintage Oyster Can - virginiasweetpea.com

 

This is the top of the can.  Many Virginians have oysters on Christmas Day and my family is no exception.  This tin was certainly purchased for Christmas who knows how many years ago.  If I had to guess, it first belonged to Page Harris, my grandmother’s cousin.  When Page’s wife died, there was an auction and I am pretty sure that Mama purchased this tin there.

Vintage Oyster Can - virginiasweetpea.com

I found the same can on eBay that sold for $75.  One is currently in auction and at the time that I write this the bidding is at $68.50.

 

Next up is a Bevans Fresh Oysters Can.  I found a can identical to this one on eBay that sold for $94.

Vintage Bevans Fresh Oysters Can - virginiasweetpea.com

 

These oysters were canned and distributed in Kinsale, VA which is in Westmoreland County.

Vintage Bevans Fresh Oysters Can - virginiasweetpea.com

 

This is the top.

Vintage Bevans Fresh Oysters Can - virginiasweetpea.com

 

 

This oyster can is from Rice Oyster Company in Farnham, VA.  Farnham is in Richmond County, and is located between Tappahannock and Irvington.

Vintage Oyster Can from Rice Oyster Company in Farnham, VA - virginiasweetpea.com

 

A can in better condition than this one sold on eBay for $30.  This one has no lid.

Vintage Rice Oyster Company Oyster Can

 

 

This half gallon oyster can isn’t as decorative.

Vintage Jenkins Seafood Oyster Can - Hayes, VA - virginiasweetpea.com

 

It is a great size for storing something and I wonder if it was kept for storing nails or screws.

Vintage Jenkins Seafood Oyster Can - Hayes, VA - virginiasweetpea.com

 

This can is from Jenkins Seafood in Hayes, VA.  Hayes is in Gloucester County.  A similar can sold on eBay for $13.

Vintage Jenkins Seafood Oyster Can - Hayes, VA

 

Along with the oyster cans, Mama had a scallop can in her collection.  I found one in better condition for sale for $50.

Vintage Scallops Can - virginiasweetpea.com

 

This is the other side of the can.  Wouldn’t I love to have a gallon on scallops to cook?  Yum!

Vintage Scallops Can - virginiasweetpea.com

 

Mama also had this tool at the beach house.  I think it is a shovel used to dig for clams but I am not sure.  Anyone know?

Vintage Clam or Oyster Shovel - virginiasweetpea.com

 

Vintage Oyster or Clam Shovel - virginiasweetpea.com

 

If you like this post, please pin it for others to discover.

See a vintage collection of oyster and scallop cans. virginiasweetpea.com

16 Comments

  1. I don’t care for oysters, but I probably would have bought them just for those tins! They are gorgeous.

    1. I was surprised that some of them sold for so much. I might take the one with the boat on it to the lake for decor.

    1. In Virginia oysters are a very popular Christmas tradition. Many families buy them by the quart or gallon. I usually see them for sale in quart jars now.

    1. I’m not sure how my mom got started with this collection. It was fun for her to look for them while she had her beach house because they made great decor there but now that she doesn’t have it, they are just taking up space in our basements. That doesn’t mean that she is getting rid of them. We like our vintage things and don’t like to part with them!

  2. Hello, I am looking for a tin like the one with the sailboat but with a stamp that says Leroy jester, franklin va. He was my grandfather!

  3. I’m very interested in the Rice can. It was my wife’s family’s oyster company.
    Are you interested in selling it?

  4. I’m seeing if your mom is willing to sell the Rice Oyster Co. can.
    It was my grandfathers/fathers oyster company until the late 80’s.
    Let me know.
    Best,
    Mindy Fidler Larson

  5. Wondering if you have any cans from Sea Level, Wit or Hunting Quarters, NC. My great grandfather and his brothers had a packing house for oysters, clams and scallops. They shipped from NC to Maine to Key West. Would love to find one! Linda

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