Friday, January 9, 2009

Counterpoint San Francisco

I have had the Memo Book you see below and the colorful boxes below that since I was in my early teens. They were made by a company named Counterpoint San Francisco. I'm not sure of the exact year/years - late 60's, early 70's? I was then and still am a HUGE fan of the colorful items they produced.
Did you ever have any of these stackable boxes? They all fit inside each other, and they made different shapes of sets. I have had the set packed away for years. The largest box has lots of wear, but the ones that were inside stayed nearly pristine. There were the flatter set, and the hexagonal set - not sure what others. The colors didn't all show up well in this photo. The boxes and their lids are different colors - chartreuse green with yellow lids, hot pink with orange lids, etc.
I scanned the bottom of a few to show you the labels. My memo book has the same label inside.
Last year, I saw this set of metal canisters at a thrift shop. As soon as I spotted them, I thought "Counterpoint!". Sure enough, when I examined them more closely, I found the label still on the bottom of two of them. They're not in perfect shape - but I couldn't pass them up! You can see they are the same green and blue as three of my boxes.

As with so many things - I am always looking for more colorful Counterpoint items!
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13 comments:

  1. Tina DawnJanuary 9, 2009 at 7:46 AM

    I do rembember those. How very 60's they are. I love that they are so colorful. Love T

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  2. Twyla and LindseyJanuary 9, 2009 at 10:28 AM

    That's a new one to me, but now that you have shown Counterpoint, I will be looking for it. Twyla

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  3. Celestial CharmsJanuary 9, 2009 at 11:33 AM

    Heidi Ann,
    Never saw those types of shinny boxes before. Do you store stuff in them....or just keep them piled together to take up less space?
    Maureen

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  4. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2009 at 5:28 PM

    Hi, Heidi Ann!
    The first thought that entered my mind when I saw that memo book was "Magical Mystery Tour." ;>

    Have you ever mentioned WHERE you keep all your wonderful collections?

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  5. PhyllisFebruary 7, 2009 at 3:28 PM

    I recently purchased 3 adorable little ceramic fat bird incense burners. One has a Counterpoint San Francisco label on the bottom. I was googling for information on this company and came across your blog. I'm sad to hear the business is no longer open.

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  6. Jackson Frugal GalNovember 15, 2009 at 11:26 AM

    I recently purchased a pair of porcelain coffee cups/mugs at an estate sale -- they have "Counterpoint San Francisco" on the labels. I haven't been able to find out much about the company.

    I purchased several other pieces of "funky" glassware at the same sale -- they aren't labeled but seem very similar in style to the Counterpoint items I bought. Do you know if there is any cataloguing of this company's stock?

    Thanks!

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  7. AnonymousJuly 22, 2010 at 7:12 PM

    I have an old Counterpoint stained glass jar with flowers and butterflies. I wonder if it's worth anything? Steph.

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  8. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    Hi, I have two counterpart items I have had for years. one is a motorcycle and the other is a car they are money banks. both are clay made in japan. both are distorted. and have funny figures driving them. very cool. I always wondered about the counterpart connection. I guess it was a San-Fran retail store? thanks, James.

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  9. Heidi AnnFebruary 17, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    Hi James- Thanks for commenting! Your banks sound really cool. I don't recall whether Counterpoint had their very own retail store - I think their items were sold at Cost Plus and stores like that? But no, I'm still not sure I understand why they say Counterpoint San Francisco and Made In Japan - wish I knew more about them!

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  10. ScaffettaSeptember 29, 2012 at 5:59 AM

    This question is for "anonymous" could you take a picture of the jar with flowers and butterflies? Is it a clear jar with stain glass design? I might be interested.

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  11. Phyllis C.October 6, 2012 at 5:27 PM

    Thanks so much for bringing back wonderful memories of my visits to the Counterpoint store in San Francisco's Ghiradelli Square. In particular your colored boxes brought back memories. I had smaller green/blue boxes with drawers in them such as for a doll. These items were the rage in the 1960's....people packed into the store constantly to buy these items. I think most of these items were made by Takahashi's of Japan. Again, thanks for bringing back this great nostalgia!

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  12. {B}May 30, 2013 at 9:08 PM

    Hi! I found your blog by googling Counterpoint. I have a purse by them! It's bright orange and shiny. :)
    -Brie

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  13. AnonymousMay 14, 2018 at 4:19 PM

    I was obsessed with Takahashi and Counterpoint items when I was in middle school/high school (circa 1968 to 1972). Does anyone have photos of the brightly colored desk organizers they made? Cardboard with little drawers and white plastic pulls on them. In colors like magenta, orange, yellow, bright green, and turquoise. Such a trip down memory lane! I also had the same memo book you showed earlier. Loved that style!

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