Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Spirograph and a Mystery

So I've been getting my Pyrex fix off ebay lately but decided to check out a local thrift I just found out about. Boy am I glad I did because as soon as I walked in I eyeballed this little gem  in what appears to be mint condition.  I was a little shocked at the price to be honest, as they had a yellow hostess 2.5 quart for 40,  Fridgies for like 8-15 bucks and a couple of 1.5 pint casseroles (with out lids) for 18-25. But this....this I snatched for 22.50. It's almost like I stole it!






Now for the mystery...About a week ago I ordered an opal ramekin from an Etsy seller who advertised it as a piece from an Opal Hostess Set. After a post here and several hours of Googeling I was fairly certain that what I actually got was a piece of an Agee ramekin set; however, upon it's arrival it's stamped made in the USA so that threw that theory out the window. I contacted the seller and he assures me it's a piece to an Opal Hostess....but I can't find out anything about this set. He gave me the link of a woman on flikr who has the whole set so I contacted her but she hasn't been able to find out anything either ( I checked out the pics of her set and it looks exactly like mine). I did get in touch with the individual who runs the correlcorner and they assured me there is no such thing as an opal white hostess set and what I have is a piece of a red or yellow that's faded. But honestly I've never run across a faded piece that looks exactly like my other opal pieces, it's not matted and has a nice glossy sheen, no scratch or scuff marks or hint of any residual color that so often comes with damaged and dish washed pieces. So...I don't know. I've posted pictures below and it's labeled on the bottom 410 12 oz Pyrex. If anybody knows anything about this piece I'd greatly appreciate your information before I drive myself crazy!


16 comments:

  1. I've never seen an opal Hostess, either. Though I'm no expert yet, I'm still learning new things about Pyrex all the time, I'd say it's one of two things. First, it very well could be a red or yellow or even turquoise piece which was dishwashered. Some ambitious seller might have even finished the job and scrubbed the rest of the dishwashered color off to make it pass for a unique opal piece. And yes, actually, I have seen several pieces that were SO dishwashered they just needed a couple more cycles through a dishwasher to end up opal! OR--it could just be a rarity. It certainly wouldn't be the first one-of-a-kind we've seen.

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    1. what a small world! I just pinned a picture of your coffee station showing off your brown fridgie and cups! I love the little yellow teapot spoon rest you have (where did you get it if you don't mind sharing?) Your pic's inspired me and I'm trying to set up something similar on my counter so Thank You for being so creative! I don't know what to think about this ramekin, but I guess time will tell and I'll just have to be patient.

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  2. Ohmygosh I'm so jealous of your Spirograph find! It's #1 on my list. Happy it found a great home though!

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    1. thank you! And I'll keep my fingers crossed you stumble upon one too!

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  4. There are an infinite number of degrees of fading. The final stage is completely free of all traces of paint residue. I think what is driving you crazy is the hope that someone will give you a positive answer. But will their advice be useful or accurate?

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  5. I have one of the smaller ramekins that is indeed opal! No traces of it being a faded piece! -Jordan

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  6. Interesting! I am pretty sure most pyrex collective peeps like yourself can tell opal from dishwashered!

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  7. Pretty sure there must be an opal out there...

    You, that seller, these collectors..

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolynmagnus/6848824370/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/9832630@N06/5196523645/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/45141663@N06/6622246769/ (complete set for peeps who wanna see)
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweetangels1974/5013158467/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/picsfromnicole/5266072499/


    ... all can't be wrong & you can just see the opal shine on the one in the first pic.

    But you still never know.

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    1. Thank you sir Thrift A Lot, that's the most pic's I've seen so far. I was thinking maybe it was part of a chip and dip...I know there was a turquoise chip and dip promotional that came with a 410...maybe they did one in opal as well?

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    2. You know, when I was looking at the pics I was kind of wondering the same thing, so funny you should have mentioned that, especially because the "complete set" doesn't have a lid.

      But I have no clue. I am going to keep my eye out for these in antique shops/malls. Probably if I had ever seen them before I would have passed them up.

      BTW, I forgot to mention - great score on the spirograph.. lucky lady! Too jealous.

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  8. Did you just skip merrily to the register, clutching your wonderful finds? That is so exciting! Hope you solve your mystery soon. Curious to know what the verdict is.

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    1. lol I did! My BF was like sweety sit it down so you don't drop it and I was like are you crazy someone might come in a pick it up....he goes...babe we are the only people in the store. sigh...they just don't get it.

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  9. Wow that is an awesome price! In my town there is a massive antiques mall (old canning factory) FULL of all patterns and sizes and tops. There is only 1 Spirograph and it's $55 :) I think my friend has the white/opal little hostess bowls - checking for sure b/c she's been stumped as well.

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    1. I know right, the antique malls around here are about the only place I can find any Pyrex. The GW and Salvation Army never have anything. I get a little jealous sometimes when I read about all the great finds people stumble across at GW lol, so nice to find one myself.

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    2. To deepen the mystery a little bit I found 4 of them at a local thrift store which makes me think they were sold as a set at one time. I don't find it likely they would randomly have four at the same time. Also, none of them seem to be faded or have a strange feeling like the color had been taken off.

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