The decade of the 1950s was a golden age for kitchen innovation, marking the arrival of colorful appliances and space-age designs that promised to revolutionize home cooking forever. What started as everyday tools designed to make life easier for the postwar family have now transformed into some of the most coveted collectibles in the vintage market. The prices these mid-century marvels command today would shock their original owners, who likely paid just a few dollars for what are now considered museum-worthy pieces.
Collectors, interior designers, and cooking enthusiasts are driving an unprecedented boom in the vintage kitchenware market. These aren’t just functional tools anymore; they’re statements of style, nostalgia, and craftsmanship from an era when appliances were built to last decades, not just years.
Sunbeam Mixmaster Stand Mixers
When it comes to vintage kitchen royalty, few appliances command as much respect as the iconic Sunbeam Mixmaster. Introduced in the 1930s, the Mixmaster was originally offered in white with jadeite mixing bowls but soon graduated to a range of pastel colors with matching or milk glass mixing bowl companions to complete the aesthetic. This mixmaster, Model 11, was made between 1954 and 1956.
The design inspiration came from the most glamorous industries of the time. Inspired by both the automobile industry and the airline industry the Sunbeam design engineers created attractive models with elegant lines, fin-shaped dials and stylized lettering reminiscent of the latest design trends in transportation.
Released in the 1950s, the Model 5 featured a 10-speed setting and came with a glass mixing bowl. Today, depending on condition and included accessories, it can be valued between $100 and $200. Complete working models with all original accessories can fetch even higher prices.
Famous in the kitchen equipment department, Sunbeam mixers were so well made that many are still in active use today. Like beloved members of the family, a vintage Mixmaster is a prized treasure in the kitchen and oftentimes, like a good recipe or a favorite apron, they are passed down through generations from one cook to another.
CorningWare Pyroceram Casserole Dishes
The revolutionary heat-resistant glass ceramic known as Pyroceram changed cooking forever when it debuted in 1958. CorningWare, made from the innovative Pyroceram material introduced in 1958, remains popular among collectors due to its versatility and ability to withstand thermal shock. While Pyroceram was eventually replaced by stoneware, vintage CorningWare dishes are still highly sought after.
The most valuable pieces aren’t always the most common patterns. Sets and even individual dishes that had unique and limited-edition designs instead of the standard blue cornflower can be very valuable. A 1970s piece with a pattern that didn’t sell well on initial release fetched $7,000 in an eBay auction (via a 2014 story in the Chattanooga Times Free Press).
Even some cornflower dishes, if they’re old enough and in good enough condition, can command a high price. Sellers on Etsy have listed 1950s CorningWare for $23,000, though these represent unrealistic asking prices rather than actual market values. This astronomical figure represents the absolute pinnacle of the collecting market.
Some coveted designs include the Spice of Life range, which features vegetables, greenery, and the words “L’Echalote La Marjolaine,” and the Cornflower range, which has a classic blue floral design; both can be worth a couple of hundred dollars. Finding complete sets with all original lids significantly increases the value.
Vintage Tupperware Collections
Those plastic food storage containers that once symbolized suburban domesticity have become serious collectibles in their own right. In the vibrant world of vintage collectibles, Tupperware holds a unique place as a kitchen item with significant resale potential. Since its debut in the late 1940s, Tupperware has revolutionized food storage with its airtight seals and durable design. Today, these once ubiquitous household items have become nostalgic treasures sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.
What makes vintage Tupperware particularly valuable is its embodiment of mid-20th century design and innovation. Pieces from the 1950s and 1960s, especially those in unusual colors or unique shapes, are the most sought-after. The iconic pastel bowls, the sculptural salt and pepper shakers, and the first generation of burping seals are just a few examples of items that can fetch a good price.
Collectors are now paying big bucks for vintage pieces, especially those from the 1950s and 60s. Here are a few reasons why vintage Tupperware is so valuable: Rarity: Some designs were only produced for a short time, making them hard to find. Condition: Items in mint condition, especially with original lids, can fetch higher prices. Color: Certain colors, like the classic avocado green or bright orange, are more sought after.
Condition plays a crucial role in the value of vintage Tupperware. Pieces that have retained their vibrant color, show minimal wear, and retain their original functionality are more likely to be valuable. The famous “burp” that indicates a proper seal can actually increase a piece’s value when it still works perfectly.
Peugeot Pepper Mills
Before Peugeot became synonymous with automobiles, the French company had already established itself as the premier manufacturer of pepper mills and coffee grinders. At one point, the Peugeot company actually split in two: Les Fils de Peugeot Frères was responsible for kitchen tools and bicycles, while La Société des Automobiles Peugeot made cars. The various family business operations evolved over time with a complex corporate structure. While Peugeot cars are iconic in their own right, the pepper mills have a global following as well.
The quality of vintage Peugeot pepper mills comes from their precision engineering and durable materials. The grinding mechanism, made from hardened steel, was designed to last for generations of daily use, which explains why so many vintage pieces still function perfectly today.
According to legend shared on its website, during a 1930s banquet for automobile manufacturers, someone told Jean-Pierre Peugeot that everything in the room was American-made. He reportedly picked up a pepper grinder and replied, “Almost all, except this, which is French. And what is more it’s Peugeot.”
Today, vintage Peugeot pepper mills can fetch high prices, with some selling for $250 or more each. The most valuable examples feature the distinctive Peugeot lion emblem and show the beautiful patina that develops on the wood and metal components over decades of use.
Le Creuset Cast Iron Dutch Ovens
The distinctive orange-red enamel coating known as “Flame” was the original and signature color of Le Creuset cookware. A bright orange-red, Flame was initially the only color Le Creuset enamel came in. The company later issued its wares in a wide range of hues and manufactured them as a style statement as much as a necessity for the kitchen.
What makes vintage Le Creuset particularly valuable is the evolution of their manufacturing process and design elements. For one, the company has gone through a lot of colors in its time, some of which have been discontinued (making them rare and collectible). And design changes have moved the handle from an integrated part of the lid to a separate black knob. A vintage piece, even with a bit of damage, can sell for around as much as brand-new Le Creuset at auctions and vintage shops.
Brand-new Le Creuset can sell for hundreds of dollars; some collectors even recommend picking it up slightly used, to shave a few bucks off the price. A little wear and tear isn’t enough to put, say, a Le Creuset Dutch oven out of commission; when well-cared for, they can be used for decades.
Discontinued colors like certain shades of blue and green can command premium prices among collectors who want to complete sets or own pieces that are no longer in production. The weight and quality of vintage Le Creuset pieces often exceeds modern manufacturing standards, making them both functional cookware and valuable collectibles.
Vintage Copper Cookware Sets
French copper cookware represents the pinnacle of professional kitchen equipment from the 1950s era. Often displayed prominently on hanging racks, these shining copper pots are undeniably beautiful while also being functional. Prices can vary widely depending on age, thickness of the copper, and the condition of the tin lining. Some old copper pieces are decorative at best, while others can be extremely valuable if they’ve been relined and taken good care of. On Normandy Kitchen Copper, a 5-piece set from 1899 currently sells for about $1,200.
The appeal of vintage copper cookware extends far beyond its Instagram-worthy appearance. Professional chefs have long prized copper for its exceptional heat conductivity and precise temperature control, qualities that make it superior to modern alternatives.
Vintage copper pots to decorate a kitchen, vintage Tupperware to store food, and vintage cast-iron skillets to cook with can go for hundreds or even thousands of dollars today. Sets with matching pieces and intact tin linings represent the most valuable examples.
The thickness of the copper dramatically affects both performance and value. Professional-grade pieces from the 1950s often feature much thicker copper than modern reproductions, which explains their superior cooking performance and higher collector value. Many vintage pieces can be professionally re-tinned to restore them to full functionality while preserving their collectible status.
The kitchen tools that once promised to modernize American homes have now become symbols of a bygone era when quality and craftsmanship mattered more than planned obsolescence. Whether you’re hunting for treasures at estate sales or evaluating your grandmother’s kitchen inheritance, these vintage pieces prove that sometimes the old ways really were better. What do you think about these sky-high prices for everyday kitchen tools? Tell us in the comments.
