Top 10 Coveted Vintage Pyrex Patterns
Top 10 Coveted Vintage Pyrex Patterns
Pyrex has a long history with its production first beginning in France by a company called Corning Glass Works in the early 1900s. Corning Glass Works was the first company to produce Nonex glass, which was a heat resistant glass used in the production of railway lanterns, in the early 1900s. J.T. Littleton was a physicist hired by Corning to find other uses for the Nonex glass. He brought home samples of the glass and while discussing the project with his wife, Bessie, came up with the idea of using Nonex in baking dishes. The first Pyrex Glass baking dishes were introduced in 1915! Corning Glass Works were the producers of Pyrex Glass from 1915 through 1998, when the company was sold to World Kitchen. When World Kitchen took over, they moved production of the glass to the United States from France and completely changed the formula. Pyrex is now made from tempered soda-lime glass. During that time, they have produced everything from railway lanterns to pharmaceutical and nursing bottles to steamer baskets and more recently, metal muffin baking pans.
Vintage Pyrex collectors are some of the most dedicated out there. They have been known to pay over the top prices for that one perfect piece they've been dying to add to their collection. Pyrex prices can vary widely depending on the rarity of the pattern or piece type, but there are a few patterns that you should always be on the look out for. In no specific order, the following is a list of the top ten best patterns of vintage Pyrex patterns from the 1940s-1980s.
Friendship 1970s
Pyrex released the Friendship line in 1971 and produced it through 1974. A set of Cinderella Mixing Bowls like these sells for as much as $550! The casserole dishes with lids go for $300, while a single promotional Penn Dutch casserole dish with lid and underplate commands a price tag of $285!
Town & Country 1960s
Town & Country was produced from 1963-1967 amid the mix and match kitchenware craze so several variations of this pattern can be found. A set of four Cinderella mixing bowls sells for $160 while the promotional chips and dips set retails for $200.
Snowflake Blue 1970s
Pyrex produced the line Snowflake Blue from 1972-1978 and many collectors also refer to this pattern as Garland. A set of Cinderella mixing bowls can cost as much as $250, but the real find is the casserole dish with lid which sold recently on eBay for almost $900! Snowflake Blue was released as one of the first patterns of the compatibles line at the same time as Spring Blossom Green and Butterfly Gold.
Spring Blossom Green 1970s
Spring Blossom Green was one of the longest running lines ever produced by Pyrex with a 1972 release date and not ceasing production until 1981. It is also sometimes referred to as Crazy Daisy. A set of Cinderella Mixing Bowls in the original box sold recently for $300 and a set of refrigerator dishes with lids sells for $265.
Blue Tulip 1960s
Blue Tulip was sold from 1964-1965 and can also be found with gold tulips on a brown background. A casserole dish with lid, cradle, and the original box will run you about $350, while one without the box usually sells for around $60 plus shipping. Without the cradle, this casserole dish is only worth about $15, even with the lid.
Colonial Mist 1980s
Colonial Mist was first released in 1983 and was the last pattern sold from the opal Pyrex pattern before production ceased in 1986. It was created to accompany a Corelle Dinnerware line by the same name. New in the box, a set of Cinderella mixing bowls sells for $300 and the casserole dishes with lids set sells for $285.
Atomic Eyes 1950s
Pyrex first advertised this pattern in a hot and cold chips and dip set. Not all bowls in this pattern bear the Pyrex stamp. The chips and dip set with metal holder sold recently for $1300, while both bowls without the metal holder were only worth $600. The large bowl on its own can sell for $400 also.
Butterprint 1950s-1960s
Butterprint can be found in several different color varieties including the rare Turquoise Butterprint. The Cinderella mixing bowl above sold for $1,525! A casserole dish with lid in Butterprint Pink sells for about $250-$300, and the Cinderella mixing bowls set in Butterprint Orange is worth closer to $1000! Butterprint was the first pattern released from the Opal Ware Pyrex line in 1957 and was sold through 1968.
Pink Daisy 1950s
Pyrex released Pink Daisy in 1956 and it was produced until 1962. The Pink Daisy casserole dishes were sold with the clear cover which could also be used as a trivet for the dish or as a separate serving dish. They was marketed as Spacesaver Dishes.
There are many more Pyrex patterns with some really rare ones out there! The top photo in the group above is a rare 1950s turquoise casserole dish with a warming tray and lid and it sold for $2,225 in the original box and unused. The next photo is an 1960s Atomic Starburst casserole dish in turquoise and gold with lid that sold for $1,800! The first photo on the bottom is a rare pattern called Gypsy and there are even patterns to use during your favorite holidays. Do you collect any vintage Pyrex patterns? Or do you know is who is obsessed over a certain pattern? Let me know in the comments.
I hope you'll come back and see what we're discussing next week, but in the meantime, take a quick look at the new page New Listings at TheVintageVixenShop to see what's fresh in at the shop. Or if you have more time, why don't you head on over to Etsy to TheVintageVixenShop and find something you love! Use code "VIXEN" to get $5 off your first purchase of $15 or more, and of course you'll also get to take advantage of our always FREE shipping! There's also a Picture Pattern Guide of many more popular Pyrex patterns for you on the Freebies tab! View it here.
Until next time, Happy Hunting!
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