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Classic Toasters: the 1940s and 50s and later
Home. . .
1920s. . .
1930s. . .
1940s & later. . .
Non electric. . .
220 Volt. . .
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Sunbeam Toaster with Glass SidesThis toaster is unusual in that it has glass sides with a colorful design. It is an automatic two-slice pop up toaster, with controls at one end.Several new, high-end toasters are using glass, so the appeal of using glass as a material endures. This one is in good condition with minor paint loss in one corner, and some scratching on the top as emphasized in the picture. This one works just fine and is ready to make toast in your kitchen. Sunbeam Toaster with glass sides$110Purchase Information |
1947 General Electric Automatic ToasterThis model toaster was on the cover of the GE catalog in 1947, (we sell the matching waffle iron up on the shelf), and sold for just a year or two before they changed the design on the side, from an arrow, crossed fronds and six stars to three paralell curved lines.For the war bride, this was a symbol of home and hearth, and the hope of prosperity in peace-time America. The styling featured the latest streamlined design. In fact, most toaster cases were made in two halves with a center seam, but GE made this case in just one piece with no seams, and standing on a handsome base of ribbed bakelite in richly marbled brown. And, it had the latest "keep warm" feature. To give you an idea of what else was new at the time, take a look at the 1947 IBM Electric Typewriter, or the new combination phonograph and radio that would keep the kids occupied for hours. This toaster has two controls: one for the light/dark slider and a matching slider for Keep Warm or Pop Up. It is clean and working and in good condition. And, it is made in America, literally the good old U.S.A. Michelle in Spokane bought this toaster and wrote "Wanted to say thank you and it works perfectly and makes the best toast and so easy to clean. We have a 1908 year old (original everything) house full of antiques and the toaster looks amazing in the kitchen (which I did 30's and 40's everything) Why own new made in china appliances that weigh nothing and are JUNK. I will buy from you again. Thank you again. " 1947 GE Automatic Toaster General Electric Bridgeport, Conn. Ontario, Calif. Made in U.S.A. 115 Volts 1150 Watts Shipping weight 9 Lbs. $98Purchase Information |
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Sunbeam model T-20 automatic toasterBeautiful chrome body with incised deco design and bakelite base. It's automatic beyond belief! No levers to push -- no popping or banging. Just drop in the bread and the Sunbeam turns on the current and lowers the bread silently. When perfectly toasted, the current turns off and the toast comes up silently.With "Radiant Control", the toasting is always the same no matter what kind of bread you use. The heat radiated from the surface of the bread activates the exclusive thermostat. That's why you always get the same uniform golden toast you want whether the slices or moist or dry, cold or warm, thick or thin. Very popular as wedding gifts when it debuted in 1949. Slots are a little wider than usual. Cleaned and adjusted and in very good condition. Aaron in Mount Vernon, Washington bought this toaster and wrote to say that the toaster "works great, I use it almost every day and it has been flawless. Thank You." Sunbeam Corporation Chicago U.S.A. Toronto, Canada. 110-120 Volts 1275 Watts Shipping weight 10 Lbs. SOLDPurchase Information |
Toastmaster 1B14 Post World War II Toaster -- a "Best Value"This model was in introduced in 1947, built to last, signed and serial numbered, and used continuously for ten or twenty or fifty years by American families. Think of all those GIs, home from the war, marrying their sweethearts and starting families. It was very popular as a wedding gift, and at $23.50, it wasn't cheap.Toasters were marketed not only for breakfast, but also for entertaining -- a toast party to watch CBS Playhouse on TV. But, when the Toast-R-Oven hit the market, most of these "old fashioned" Toastmasters were stored away in the attic or basement, still in working order. (And greasy and full of crumbs, I might add.) The original advertising features the Superflex toast timer which compensates for a wide range of voltage variations automatically; the bakelite "Easy-Lift" handles are large, smooth and curved to fit the finger tips, always cool to the touch; and, the Pop-open with hinged door on the bottom makes for easy crumb removal and cleaning. The heavy steel case is plated in highly polished chromium. The fittings are bakelite. The control knob allows a range from light to dark. This toaster has been disassembled, cleaned, repaired if necessary, reassembled and tested. It is ready to do just one thing.... make toast. It is in good condition with only minor cosmetic flaws -- a Toaster Central "best value". Cristina in Pacific Palisades bought this toaster and wrote to say "We are THRILLED with the toaster! It makes perfect toast and is so easy to use and clean. I do not understand why people think that modern toasters need to be electronic -- just more to go wrong and another damn clock to reset when the power fails. Not to mention another gadget that leeches electricity by being on "stand-by". (Why stand by for toast?)" Karin in Newburyport bought this toaster and wrote to say "I received the toaster today in great condition. Thank you so much for the toast tongs and the wedding printout. I'll be sure to recommend and order again from ToasterCentral.com! " Toastmaster Automatic Pop Up Toaster Toastmaster Products Division McGraw Electric Company, Elgin, Illinois U.S.A. 110-120 Volts 10.5 Amps. UL Operates on A.C. or D.C. Shipping weight 9 Lbs. SOLDPurchase Information |
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The Super Deluxe Toastmaster with Power ActionToastmaster was selling train loads of toasters (the model shown above) after WWII, and Sunbeam was, too, especially because of their radical design in which one simply dropped a slice into the slot and carriage descended automatically. So, Toastmaster wanted a share of that market and designed this very nifty toaster with a motor that takes the bread down and starts the toasting. The ads of the time called it "Power Action" and this model was called The Super Deluxe, and sold at a premium price, just like the Sunbeam.It has an easy to open crumb door on the bottom for easy cleaning. And, it sports the cartouche that Toastmaster introduced in 1939 (and was on their toasters until the 1990s, but now gone). The early version of this model has a gold-toned signature on the front. There is only one control -- to turn to select the shade of toast, or to push to end the toasting cycle early. Toastmaster Super Deluxe Elgin, Illinois Made in U.S.A. $160Purchase Information |
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Toastmaster from the late 1950sThis Toastmaster began production in the late 1950s and continued on into the 1960s. The basic guts are very similar to the hugely popular model that came out after WWII, but the feet and fittings were streamlined and made easier to assemble.This sturdy toaster has a heavy steel case with chromium plating. It is clean and in very good condition, free from damage with only minor signs of wear and use. Toastmaster Automatic Pop Up Toaster Manufactured by McGraw-Edison Co. Elgin, Ill. Model 1B24 110-120 Volts 10.5 Amps. Operate on A.C. or D.C. Shipping Weight:8 lbs. $125Purchase Information |
The Last Single Slice Toastmaster Toaster with Original CartonThe very first Toastmaster for home use was a single slice toaster, and they continued for 25 years to make single slice models. This is the last in a distinguished line of such toasters. Its size makes is popular for those with shoebox kitchens and not much space. It measures 9 1/2" handle to handle, by 6 1/2" high and 3" deep.I think of this model as suitable for Holly Golightly's kitchen for when she cooks -- caviar with toast points, a suitable for "Breakfast At Tiffanys". The "Toastmaster" name is incised above the handle, a single control knob for light/dark, and it has the original cord. This one is in very good condition, with some corrosion inside the crumb door, and some pinpoint breaks in the chrome plating on one side. And, it comes with its original carton. Toastmaster Automatic Toaster McGraw Electric Company, Elgin, Ill. U.S.A. 110-120 Volts 4.8 Amps Shipping weight: 4 Lbs. SOLDPurchase Information |
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Dominion manual toasterThe four handles are shaped like bullets with ribbing, and the inner mica panels are wrapped with nickel chromium wire. Each door is decorated with five vertical lines flanked by five wheat kernels--a stylized sheaf. The body sits on a step-down base and rises toward a rounded point at the top. Quite a striking shape.Dominion Electric Corporation, Mansfield, Ohio, U.S.A. 110-120 Volts 450 Watts $90Purchase Information |
All Aluminum -- Good for RV or TrailerAfter World War II, when there was a surplus of sheet aluminum from fabricating war planes, quite a few little toasters appeared that were made with an aluminum frame and doors. This one weighs just 20 ounces, is unmarked, but I've seen an identical one that was made in New York City.Its profile is a wedge shape five inches wide at the base and the doors sport three staggered parallel lines, the motif of speed and motion. So, it must be a toaster for those on the go. This toaster is in very good condition inside and out. It comes with a detachable cord set. All Aluminum Toaster (unmarked) $65Purchase Information |
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The Walking ToasterThe earliest models of this toaster were produced in New York City in 1937, and continued production through the early 1950s at their last location just across the East River in Long Island City, Queens, New York, near the Breyer's ice cream plant. It was billed as "New As Tomorrow"On one end of the toaster is the Light to Dark control, and on the other end is the On Off switch. The massive base is bakelite and signed nicely on both sides. You put in bread in one end, watch it going by in the little porthole window, and it comes out toast on the other end. The bread moves through the toaster propelled by a clever mechanism driven by a little motor. This one is in very good condition with minor signs of wear and comes with extra long tongs. We've completely serviced this one and it is ready for making the morning toast, or entertaining all the neighbor kids for an after school snack. Todd in Portland, Oregon bought this toaster and wrote "I've never had so much fun with a kitchen appliance before--thanks a million." Ask about the one we have in near-mint condition. The Walking Toaster $295Purchase Information |