Brian Alexander - Spiffy Kitchen Collectibles

Spiffy Kitchen
Collectibles Brian S. Alexander 2003 Brian S. Alexander
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Neither the author nor publisher is responsible for monetary losses that may occur to any person consulting this book for valuation information.
Library of Congress Catalog Number: 2003108018
ISBN: 0-87349-688-4
eISBN: 978-1-44022-564-2
Product names, logos, and images were used for the sole purpose of identification and are the intellectual property of their respective manufacturers.
Editor: Tracy Schmidt
Designer: Jamie Griffin
Acknowledgments T he generous support of the following people made this book possible: Carol Alexander, who was there from the first page, thanks mom! My fabulous brothers and sisters, Jody, Greg, Doug, Diane, Shirley, Kent, and Jayand my niece Dawn, thanks for being there for this one and the others. Eric Zorn and fellow members of his SIN support group, author Walter Oleksy and members in his writers group, Paul Kennedy and Tracy Schmidt at Krause Publications. Bindy Bitterman at Eureka! Antiques, Evanston, IL for assistance with proofreading and a few wonderful finds! Patricia McDaniel at Storefront Antiques, Dublin, IN; Angie Wegner at Hawthorn Antique Mall & Gallery, Bristol, WI; and Marsha Brandom, cyber friend and supporter. Many of these people were there in the gray days of the project, where a change in the weather could (and sometimes did) affect the outcome. Others helpful were John Leonard, Michelle Rioli, Tony Iuro, Matt Haylock, Robert Katzman at Magazine Memories, The Antique Market in Michigan City, IN; The Broadway Antique Market in Chicago; Douglas, Tim, Andy, and Tina. S. S.

Postal Service, the hundreds of Ebay sellers around the country (and world!). Additionally I want to express my thanks to the many antiques malls, shops and shows tapped to assemble the items pictured in these pages, their locales follow. Illinois: Chicago, Wilmette, Gurnee, Volo, St. Charles, Rockford, Richmond, Hebron, Springfield, Wilmington, Des Plaines, Princeton, Sandwich, Grayslake. Wisconsin : Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Bristol, Lake Geneva, Milton, Madison, Mount Horeb. Michigan: Niles, Lakeside, Union Pier, Sawyer, Allegan, Bangor. Ohio: Springfield, Dayton, and Columbus. Iowa: Des Moines. Iowa: Des Moines.

A final thanks must be given to all those procrastinating cooks out there who never quite got around to using that what-cha-ma-callit! Table of Contents

Introduction I m happy to present the numerous objects shown in Spiffy Kitchen Collectibles for your interest, amusement, and perhaps wonderment. Readers may question what constitutes a spiffy kitchen object as compared to an ordinary object. A somewhat nostalgic description, spiffy refers to something as being smart, bright, or having an enduring quality lacking in other objects. I took a cue from Hamilton Industries and the brightly striped picnic jug they called Spiffy in the 1950s, and tried to assemble an assortment of objects that represent a similar viewpoint. Throughout the book, numerous period magazines, advertisements, and related materials are shown to help relate the objects pictured to the approximate era when they were produced. In many cases, these showcase the bright modern outlook theme so prevalent in advertising images and product designs from the late 1940s to the 1960s.

These optimistic images seem to convey the thought that yes, your life, or at least the chore at hand, could be better, easier, and faster if you would only use the product shown and not some lesser item available elsewhere. All the items pictured are from my collection except as noted, and represent a broad spectrum of kitchen items and cooking activities. These include just about every task you would want to try to master in your kitchen of yesteryear. There are gadgets of all types, some of which question the intelligence of the user by their lack of necessity, and all sorts of accessories, sets, holders, and miscellaneous gizmos. Most of the items are non-electrical and small in scale; however, a few electrical and bigger items managed to find their way in as well. The book tries to present examples that best show the various categories along with corresponding printed materials that help to explain how the products were used.

Although only a fraction of the possible items that might fit the scope of the book are shown, the examples pictured help tell the story or history, if you will, of a time when elaborate meal preparation was a daily activity and convenience and prepackaged foods werent so readily available. Today, when big box stores have begun to transform the retail landscape, this book helps turn back the hands of that colorful kitchen clock to a not so distant past. It recalls a time when you could roam the aisles of your local store and perhaps find that special something you just couldnt do without (hopefully like this book). Happy Hunting! Brian S. Alexander Collecting
Kitchenware/Household Objects T he diverse area of kitchenware/household objects offers a world of collecting opportunities. Your interests may lead you to antique rarities more than one-hundred-years old or to items of more recent manufacture.

Any and all territory should be considered fair game. As with other collectibles, your primary motivation should be your individual likes and preferences.