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


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mid-century Toastmaster logo

Toastmaster De Luxe Toaster

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 -- hold a toast party to watch CBS Playhouse on TV.

The original advertising features the Superflex toast timer which compensates for a wide range of voltage variations automatically (a marketing ploy); the Bakelite "Easy-Lift" handles are large, smooth and curved to fit the finger tips, always cool to the touch; and, the Pop-open hinged door on the bottom makes for easy crumb removal and cleaning.

The heavy steel case is plated in chromium. The fittings are Bakelite. The control knob allows a range from light to dark. The slots are 15/16th inches wide and measure 5 3/8 inches long and appx 5 inches deep. This toaster is NOT suitable for fat bagels.

This toaster is in very good condition with minor cosmetic flaws. It has been disassembled, cleaned top to bottom with a new cord installed, ready to provide a morning pleasure ... well-made toast.

Toastmaster De Luxe 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.

$175

 

Lori and Kelly in De Pere, Wisconsin bought this model toaster and wrote to say Just wanted to let you know that we received the toaster and we LOVE it!! It fits our 1947 kitchen perfectly, and it toasts like a dream. We couldn't be happier!

Virginia in Brandon, Florida bought this model toaster and wrote to say The toaster arrived today and it made great toast. It's beautiful and I love it! Happy you are passionate about giving new life to these old gems. Also, thank you for the extras you included in the box. Stay healthy.

Anita in Massachussets bought this model toaster and wrote to say I have been using the toaster every day (sometime twice daily) since it arrived and wanted to let you know what a delight it is! Your toaster is wonderful! Thank you for making my morning so fun again. Everytime I push down that lever, it is a thrill.

mid-century Toastmaster toaster

Marilyn in Saint Cloud, Minnesota bought this model toaster and wrote to say Thank you so much! I received my toaster yesterday and it's perfect! It looks new and it works beautifully. I'm thrilled to once again have real toast - evenly browned all the way to the edges - and faster, too! It's worth every penny. Thank you for such great service!

Tom in Fairbanks bought this model toaster and wrote to say We received the Toastmaster toaster yesterday. Package arrived undamaged. Nice overpack job of toaster (and very appropriate use of ny times!). Toaster worked as expected and we celebrated with toasted swiss cheese sandwiches. Thanks for the masterful resurrection of "yesteryear".

The Brennans in Lakebay, Washington bought this model toaster and wrote to say Just wanted to touch base with you and give you some feedback on our toaster. We purchased the 1B14 toaster this past winter. It is the best little appliance we own...Totally consistent and reliable...and it's BEAUTIFUL! Thanks so much for what you do!


Completely automatic toaster

Toastmaster Super De Luxe Powermatic Toaster

This model Toastmaster began production in the early 1950s in competition with the popular Sunbeam model with radiant control which also lowers the bread automatically.

This toaster has no lever to push down to begin toasting. Just drop a slice or two of bread and the carriage lowers and the toasting begins. It turns off automatically when the toast is finished and the slices rise up ready for buttering.

The initial production of this model was nicely signed on the front. This later model changed to an incised signature. It has the familiar Toastmaster cartouche on each side. The only control is the light/dark dial which serves as a panic button when pushed in to end the toasting early.

This one is in good condition with light scratching from abrasive abuse and the slightest dimple below the cartouche. It has been cleaned top to bottom then fitted with a new replacement cord and plug, good for another decade of service making toast. N.B. Especially not suited to toasting thick slices.

Toastmaster Super De Luxe Powermatic
Manufactured by Toastmaster Division
McGraw-Edison Co. Elgin, Ill. U.S.A.
110-120 Volts 9.4 Amps.
Operate on A.C. Only

$98

 

Highly polished chromium plating finish

Mike in Madrid, Iowa bought this model toaster and wrote to say
Your toaster is a huge hit! Whole family loves it man, great work!

Chris from Spring Valley, Ohio bought this model 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 from the late 1950s

This model 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. This one is in very good condition with minor cosmetic flaws. It has been cleaned inside and out then fitted with a new replacement cord and plug, good for another decade of service making toast.

Toastmaster from the late 1950s
Manufactured by McGraw-Edison Co. Elgin, Ill.
110-120 Volts 10.5 Amps.
Operate on A.C. or D.C.

SOLD

Tony in Lawrence, Kansas bought this model toaster and wrote to say The Toastmaster arrived today. It was carefully packed like a family heirloom. It looks and functions like new. The re-print of the original 1950s product literature was a really nice touch. The love and care you put into this toaster is plain to see. This is going to sound dopey, but opening that box and unpacking this beautiful little machine was a very moving experience for me. As the smell of my first slice of toast came out, I found myself a little boy back in my Grandma's kitchen. She had this same model and let me push down the lever. Thank you for that beautiful memory. You didn't mention the free time machine you include when you ship an order. It's worth more than the toaster. Bless you.

Andrea in Monroe, Wisconsin bought this model toaster and wrote to say I just wanted to say thank you for the fabulous toaster! It arrived very safely over the weekend and I've been using it every day. It's so luxuriantly heavy! I feel like it will last a lifetime. Thank you so much. I hope somebody hires you as a consultant to start making these beauties in the US again.

Kim and Ed in Evans, Colorado bought this model toaster and wrote to say The toaster arrived right on time and works great. It has been a long time since we had a toaster that toasts evenly on both sides! We will enjoy breakfast more from now on. Thank you again,

Susi in Arroyo Grande, California bought this model toaster and wrote to say This is a belated thank you for the absolutely beautiful toaster. I unknowingly chose the very toaster my husband had in his youth, so he was extremely pleased with his gift. It works perfectly and toasts so quickly! And it really is such an attractive appliance. Thank you for your prompt communication and speedy delivery, and we especially thank you for making it possible to have a proper toaster in the house again.


The Walking Toaster

The earliest models of this toaster were produced in New York City in 1937, first in Manhattan and later across the East River in Long Island City, Queens, near the Breyer's ice cream plant. This is spittin' distance to the site for Amazon's headquarters that didn't happen a few years back.

It was billed as "New As Tomorrow"

On one end of the toaster is the knob to control light to dark, and on the other end is the On Off switch. The massive base is bakelite and signed nicely on both sides.

You press the on switch and let it warm up for about a minute then 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.

Please note that this toaster is not good for thick breads or English muffins and other round breads. The steel case gets quite hot during use.

This one has been disassembled, cleaned and completely serviced and ready for making the morning toast, or entertaining all the neighbor kids for an after school snack. The toaster measures 12 inches long, 5 inches wide and 10 inches high.

The Walking Toaster
110-125 Volts 600-850 Watts 60 Cycles
Toast-o-lator Co. Inc.
Long Island City, N.Y.

$385

 
toaster made in New York City

Scott and Kristina in Des Moines bought this model toaster and wrote We love watching our toast go through our Toast O Later? Hard to believe it is 70 years old! I hope we bring US made and US innovation back! This is so what we used to be!!!! Love the instructions that came with it!!

Todd in Portland, Oregon bought this model toaster and wrote I've never had so much fun with a kitchen appliance before--thanks a million.


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