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Electric Toasters Made in the U.S.A.
during the Roaring Twenties

Home. . 1920s. . 1930s. . 1940s & later. . Non electric. . 220 Volt. .
Waffle Irons. . Corn Poppers. . Fryers. . Egg Cookers. . Other. .
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Repair Service. . Replacement Cords. . FAQ. . Links. .

The American Beauty Toaster

The earliest known patent for an American toaster was granted on July 17, 1906 to Mr. George Schneider of the American Electric Heater Co. of Detroit, which became the famous maker of American Beauty Irons, according to toaster scholar Charles Fisher, but the actual toaster is unknown. This toaster came later from the same company.

This American Beauty is signed on the base and has a perforated top. A detachable cord set plugs into one side of base and the toaster puts out plenty of heat. The feet are enameled wood and quite sturdy. In profile, the design looks sculptural.

This one is in very good condition with minor corrosion on the base and underneath the top. It comes with detachable cord set and is suitable for daily use given reasonable care. Maximum slice height is 4.25 inches, so you'll have to slice bigger pieces in half.

The American Beauty Toaster
The American Electrical Heater Co.
Detroit, U.S.A.

$275

Purchase Information		 Made in Detroit, U.S.A.
For those who feel cranky at breakfast.

The Excelsior Upright Toaster

This toaster has a great name of The Excelsior Upright Toaster. But, it's most charming feature is the crank operation ofthe doors. The crank turns 180 degrees to flip each door to toast the second side of each slide. Pretty neat!?

While this one retains its original cord and inline on/off switch, I can't recommend it for daily toasting. It is more of a collector piece and one that can be demonstrated occasionally.)

The piece shows pitting to the plating scattered all over the toaster with some areas of rust, mostly at the edges of the sides. The doors are the roughest, especially on top. The crank operates perfectly and all four feet are tight and intact. It has a great name plate. This one is suitable for a gift to a patent lawyer, toaster collector, or one who marvels at our past mechanical inventions..

The Excelsior Upright Toaster
The Perfection Electric Products Co.
New Washington, Ohio
Geo. Borgfeldt & Co, N.Y. National Distributors 100/115 Volts 4.7 Amps

$200

Purchase Information

Very Compact 1928 Toaster

I get asked for the smallest possible toaster by people with micro kitchens, and this one is a very good choice. The footprint on this one is only 4.25 by 8.25 inches, standing seven inches tall.

The doors are spring loaded with good, strong springs, so you can load in bread sliced very thin to very thick, or even toast a bagel half. It is very versatile for hand-sliced breads of varying thickness.

The previous owner(s) of this toaster treated it very well. The plating is still in good shape, even on the inside of both doors. It comes with a detachable cord set which plugs into the side. Because the spades are flat, only a vintage plug will fit.

Very Compact 1928 Toaster
106-115 Volts 600 Watts
Manning-Bowman & Co. Meriden, Conn. U.S.A.

$155

Purchase Information		 Spring Loaded Doors
Patent granted in September of 1912.

Pelouze Vertical Toaster circa 1912

This is the least common of any toaster for sale here at Toaster Central. Because it is so early, it was still a new-fangled thing.

According to the Charles P. Fisher book on toasters "Edward Schwartz received a design patent on the spidery cabriole-legged percher, which was made by Pelouze Mfg. of Chicago." I think it is interesting that two dates are shown on the badge, for both the patent application date and also the date the patent was granted.

It's a striking piece, even in profile.

And, yes, it still works. It's in beautiful condition with minor repair to the mica plates that is not conspicuous, and otherwise all original. But, this is really a show piece and I'd not recommend using it frequently. Great gift for a patent lawyer, inventor, or someone who already has everything and doesn't need a gift from Sharper Image.

Pelouze Vertical Toaster circa 1912
110 Volta 500 Watts
Pelouze Manufacturing Co. Chicago

$2250

Purchase Information

1920 Thermax Toaster

According to Charles Fisher in Early American Electric Toasters, the frame of this toaster was originally designed by Alonzo Warner, then modified by and patented by James Lamb at Landers, Frary & Clark. It continued in production for at least fifteen years. Later models had different doors, and a slightly different top.

This model was made 1919 to 1923, for those early adopters of technology who had their homes wired for electricity. Many people still used gas light and kerosene lamps. The doors are spring loaded and will accept thick material such as a bagel half or hefty crumpet. The design features the economical three panel design for the heating element.

1920 Thermax Toaster
Landers, Frary & Clark New Britain, Conn.

$285

Purchase Information 		Made between 1919 and 1923

Toastmaster model Automatic Pop-up Toaster

Charles Perkins Strite was the guy in Stillwater, Minnesota who paired a clockworks timer and set of carbon contacts together with heating elements to cook both sides of a slice at once AUTOMATICALLY, without turning or burning as with the manual, fold-down-door models It became a popular product when it hit the home market in 1926 as The Toastmaster, deemed one of the greatest all-time inventions according to American Heritage and others, millions of 'em, people who adore their old Toastmaster.

This single slice unit has two control levers: one pushes down to wind a spring that operates the clockwork mechanism, and the other lever pushes down to lower the bread and starts the current. In addition, there is a spring-loaded stop below the right lever to set the shade of darkness, and a small lever in between the two big levers to pop the toast up before the end of the cycle.

Rob in Modesto bought this toaster (and a waffle iron) and wrote to say "I ship and receive vintage glow in the dark radios and the first indication I get of quality restoration is the care in the post and packing. Thanks for the outstanding wrapping and packaging of the waffle iron and toaster! The included magazine adds and operating instructions were a gracious addition. Apparently many vintage electrical appliances of the early twentieth century in original operating condition work splendidly and look elegant. These certainly do!"

Produced from June 1926 to August 1930
by Waters-Genter Co. Minneapolis, U.S.A. 110 Volts 600 Watts

$175

Purchase Information 		Toastmaster model 1A1, the first automatic pop-up toaster
Toast rack mounted on top of the toaster.

AP in Lisbon, Connecticut
bought a toaster like this one and wrote to say just a note to let you know that the toaster is perfect! I love it. Best regards

Early Toaster with Rack Mounted On Top

Electric toasters had been around for less than a generation when this electric toaster was made in New Britain, Connecticut, by a company known for its high quality cutlery, hotel and hospital ware, and really beautiful early electric appliances.

The detachable cord plugs into the center of the base. The two doors are spring-loaded to clamp the bread against the guide wires and efficiently close to the heat to toast one side of each slice. Then you have to open the door, flip the slice to the other side and finish the toasting. This toaster has the deluxe feature of a built-in toast rack which keeps the finished toast warm while you are making more.

This toaster is in good condition with minor signs of wear. It comes with a deluxe switched cord set. This is one of the few toasters that will handle half a bagel, assuming you want only the cut side toasted.

Universal The Brand Name Known In Every Home
New Britain Conn. U.S.A.

$265

Purchase Information

Red Torrid Toaster

Made in Hartford, Connecticut, this toaster has been used, abused, and seriously neglected, but still makes toast! The red fittings are unusual, and the doors swing from sideto side. The toast shows the pattern from the door.

The condition of the base is especially poor where most of the nickel plating has deteriorated, and the sides are pitted. It comes with a detachable cord set.

Torrid Toaster in Red
Hartford, Conn.

$125

Purchase Information		 Red Hot Toast
Westinghouse Turnover Toaster Westinghouse E. & M. Co. East Pittsburgh, PA.

Westinghouse Turnover Toaster

The earlier version of this toaster, with a ceramic core rather than mica, was advertised for Christmas in 1916, but this toaster dates a few years later when Westinghouse was still in East Pittsburgh, before the move to Mansfield, Ohio. This model has a permanently attached cord which I've replaced and fitted with a bakelite plug.

Turnover Toaster Style N0.284032A
Westinghouse Elec..& Mfg.. Co.
East Pittsburgh, PA. U.S.A.
Volts 100/120 Watts-550.
LMP diamond
Patented 7-28-14 9-25-14
the WEP inside a double circle

$185

Purchase Information

The First Swinger

This is a fairly fancy toaster called the Electroweld with colored handles, swinging doors and a rather odd on/off switch that looks like it should be a lamp socket. This one is in good condition and is complete except for what must have been colored fiber feet.

This toaster is interesting because it is based on the first patented design for a toaster with with swinging baskets. The patent was granted in November 1920. The original had just wire handles and a heavy cast-lead weight in the base, but this later version has turned wood handles.

Pat. Nov. 16, 1920 is the only marking on the bottom.

$310

Purchase Information		 Circa 1922-1925 made in Linn Mass.
Two slices in a drawer.

Unusual Silver Plated Toaster

This is an interesting toaster for its silver plating. It is marked SPNS, presumably for silver plated nickel silver. It is definitely not regualr nickel plating, and shines up as silver plating does.

I'd put it aside as a project to research, clean up the toaster and flatten the top piece.

However, I've got too many projects and not enough space, so it is for sale as is, suitable for a toaster collector or a first-time toaster restoration project. It has ornate sides.

Silver Plated Toaster

Shipping weight 4 Lbs.

$72

Purchase Information

Universal with Early Doors

I belive this toaster dates before 1918 since it has an early form of doors. Although it looks as though the tab handles are missing something, they are not. This toaster is capable of toasting half a bagel and thick material. The doors are spring loaded and open wide enough to clamp very thick material.

It plugs in below the door and comes with a detachable cord set. And, it is just about the most compact electric toasting device ever.

This toaster is suitable as a gift to a toaster collector, or someone who has absolutely everything, or perhaps a patent lawyer, inventor, or historian.



Universal Toaster with Early Doors

Shipping weight 4 Lbs.

$185

Purchase Information		 Universal with early doors.

Home. . . 1920s. . . 1930s. . . 1940s & Later. . . Non electric. . . 220 Volt. . .
Waffle Irons. . . Corn Poppers. . . Fryers. . . Egg Cookers. . . Other. . .
Kitchen Props . . . Toast Racks. . . toasterNotes Cards. . .
Repair Service. . . Replacement Cord Sets. . . FAQ. . . Links. . .

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