Jim Beam Decanters on Display at Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum

—Submitted by the Grayslake Historical Society

A private collector's Jim Beam decanters, which were made on North Avenue in Antioch and are coveted throughout the world for their series of designs and wildlife scenes, are now on display in the lobby of the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum, 164 Hawley St., Grayslake.

The exhibit is the first in an expected series of displays by private area collectors who want to show off their collections of various collectible items to the public. Many people enjoy collecting items ands enjoy showing their collections.

The museum and the Grayslake Historical Society are making display space available for a wide variety of expected displays. Those interested should contact either Charlotte Renehan, Society president and museum curator, at http://www.grayslakehistory.org/; or email at ChaRenehan@aol.com; or at 847-223-7663; or museum executive director Dave Oberg at doberg@villageofgrayslake.com or at 847-543-1745.

The decanter display is also a kind of preview of the next exhibition in the museum that will feature items "Made In Grayslake."

In February, the museum will show and tell about items that were made in Grayslake including rugs, violin strings, gelatin, safety goggles and traffic scales.   The Regal China Corp. was established as the Regal Pottery Company in 1938. Located in Antioch, it remained in business for more than 50 years. The company was known for its high-quality, non-porous china and for the rich-colored glazes that they used. Experts note that even the earlier pieces of Regal China are seldom found with any crazings, which are minute cracks and flaws in the pottery.

Regal China is well-known for producing Jim Beam liquor decanters. All of them were made in Antioch. Some of the decanters on display at the Grayslake museum include birds, animals, caricatures of the Republican Party elephant and the Democratic Party donkey, and a series of decanters with large reproductions of the federal duck hunting permit stamps, which are valued by stamp collectors.

The firm is probably best known in collectible circles for their Old McDonald Farm series and the Little Red Riding Hood series. It was also well-known for its production of classic, collectible cookie jars. It also produced salt and pepper shakers, lamp bases and vases.

In June of 1992, The Regal China Corporatrion was forced to close because of the decline in the decanter business.

Hours at the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum are noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and during various downtown Grayslake events.