1940s Toasters Vintage and Working and Made in the U.S.A.
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Classic Toasters: the 1940s and 50s and later

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1949 General Electric Automatic Toaster

This 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 with crossed fronds and six stars, to three parallel 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 rich chocolate brown.

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. There is one scratch on one side, as emphasized in the picture, but otherwise in excellent condition.

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. "

1949 GE Automatic Toaster
General Electric
Bridgeport, Conn. Ontario, Calif. Made in U.S.A.
115 Volts 1150 Watts

Shipping weight 9 Lbs.

$98

Purchase Information 		From General Electric circa 1949
Made in New York City

The Walking Toaster

The 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 very minor signs of wear and excellent condition mechanically. It 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

$575

Purchase Information

Bull's Eye Toaster

Manning-Bowman & Company had huge factories in Meriden, Connecticut and had been craftsmen in metal since 1864. They produced this toaster with beautiful chromium plating in June of 1940.

This one is in excellent overall condition, with very slight signs of wear inside of one door, some small scratching to the inside of the other door, and a small amount on the outside of the door. But, from top to bottom, it is still in good shape. It makes good, crisp toast and comes with a detachable cord set.

Bulls Eye Toaster
Made by Manning-Bowman & Co.
Meriden, Conn. U.S.A.
110-120 Volts 420 Watts

Shipping weight 6 Lbs.

$125

Purchase Information 		Craftsmen in Metal since 1864
Sold in 1969 for $22.98

General Electric from 1969

This space-saving, two-slice automatic pop up toaster appeared in a 1969 catalog for $22.98. The CPI factor from 1969 to 2009 is 5.88 making the current equivalent price $114.90.

There are no handles to stick out on the sides because it has recessed handles of heat resistant black plastic on each side. All the controls are located conveniently on the front. The light-dark knob has a gold-toned surround.

The toaster measures 9 inches long, 6.5 high and 4.5 deep.

General Electric put its name on the front and quality inside. and the case with chromium plating. It is clean and in very good condition, with some very slight scratching on the top.

GE Automatic from 1969

Shipping Weight: 8 lbs.

SOLD

Purchase Information

The Aristocrat from New York City

The Aristocrat toaster made right here in New York City both before and after World War II. But, this one was made later, possibly after the manufacturer closed down and sold to a company in Winsted, Connnecticut.

This one is in very good condition both inside and out. It makes good toast and comes with a detachable cord set.

The Aristocrat Toaster
Capitol Prod. Co. Winsted, Conn.
Made in U.S.A.
115 Volts 500 Watts UL

Shipping Weight 5 Lbs.

$77

Purchase Information 		The Aristocrat Toaster
Featherweight toaster made of aluminum

All Aluminum -- Good for RV or Trailer

After 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)

$65

Purchase Information

Toastess circa 1948 from Canada

This manual toaster was produced in large numbers in Canada beginning after after WWII. The doors with an attractive diamond-quilted design are flanked by black plastic door handles. The inside of the toaster has solid copper guard wires surrounding mica plates wound with ribbon resistance wire.

It is completely manual, a simple, non-nonsense toaster; no moving parts except the doors. No decisions to make, just old fashioned vigilance. Comes with a detachable cord set that plugs into the side.

And, it makes pretty good toast.

$57

Purchase Information

Toastess Modern Version

The original model was made continuously for decades, literally, until 1998, when for their 50th anniversary, the company put out this model featuring a deluxe base with rubber feet and a cord storage compartment, an On/Off switch, and an attached modern cord with grounded plug.

This one is used, but clean and in very good condition. It is great for Morrocan dinner parties; the toaster sits on the table so everybody gets a freshly hottened pita.

$65

Purchase Information


Rich Marbled Bakelite

Toastmaster from the late 1950s

This 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. It is fitted with a new, replacement cord and plug, good for another few dacades of service.

Brian in Houston bought this toaster and wrote to say I just wanted to let you know I received my toaster yesterday. It looks great, and it makes perfect toast. I am very pleased with it. It is nice to have the choice to buy a vintage American toaster rather than all the new ones made in China. I'll definitely look you up the next time I need another toaster or small appliance. Thank you very much,

Chris from Spring Valley, Ohio bought this toaster as a gift for his mother and wrote to say Thanks for helping me make my 89 year old mother a very happy lady. To have perfectly even toasted thin slice bread in one easy step again after 30 years delights her with every use. The only thing wrong,according to her, is she now has to find a new pet peeve to fuss about. Thanks again,

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: 9 lbs.

SOLD

Purchase Information

Toastmaster Triple Slice

Do you have a family of three? Or, a passion for club sandwiches? Here's a Toastmaster with a sleek profile that toasts three slices at once, forerunner to the full-sized four slice toaster. The one light/dark knob controls all three slots. You can toast one, two or three slices at once. All three slots heat up whenever the lever is pushed down.

Club sandwiches were all the rage in the late 1950s, and Toastmaster was listening to the market. It produced this model for four years starting in 1957. It cost a few dollars more, and it's not nearly as common as other Toastmaster models. This one is easy to keep clean with large crumb doora on the bottom, and it is in very good condition.

Toastmaster Automatic Pop Up Toaster
110-120 Volts 12 Amps A.C. Only UL
Manufactured by Toastmaster Division
McGraw-Edison Co. Elgin, Ill. U.S.A.

$175

Purchase Information 		Triple Toast 1957 to 1961

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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