In winter of 1961, Pyrex released this Gourmet Cinderella Round Casserole as a promotional item. The company often marketed them as gifts for holidays. Promotional Pyrex patterns were sometimes referred to as “non-standard” and were usually offered for a limited time. “The most rare Pyrex patterns are the promotional Pyrex,” says Lucie Courchesne of LucysMidCentury.
Full set of Pyrex ‘fridgies’ with lids in the Friendship pattern. “It’s often hard to find a matching set with all 4 pieces and matching lids.” This challenge adds to the rarity and value of complete sets in certain patterns. “The mixing bowls always seem to be the most collectible but the fridgie, or refrigerator, sets also sell very well,” says Barclay. “Casserole dishes, coffee pots, tea pots and mixing bowls-it was mass produced and no one ever thought it would become the collectable it is now.” “Back in the 50s, every home in America had a piece of Pyrex,” she says. She makes more money with her Etsy store than she did with her job. Teresa Mackie of PyrexKitchen retired four years ago to start selling Pyrex full-time. “The midcentury modern style has really had a strong resurgence.” She adds that the patterns most in-demand now were produced early in the Pyrex timeline, mostly in the 50s and 60s. “Pyrex comes in a whole myriad of different patterns and there is a pretty large range on price points between patterns,” says Alexandra Barclay of TheCoolCurator. Most rare patterns were promotional or test patterns released in small quantities versus standard patterns produced for years.” “There are also many different patterns and color combinations which makes it very difficult to know about each one.
“Corning was so prolific and produced so many items that I am still learning about new Pyrex items all the time,” says Laurel Capp, owner of PyrexPotpourri. But there are also several coveted, rare Pyrex patterns, in various colors and shapes, that only the most serious collectors seek (and save up for). Some items you can event get for less than $10 at an estate sale. There are plenty of long-lasting, standard Pyrex products that are found easily. Some are just looking for a beautiful, functional retro piece for their kitchen use or for display, while others are on the hunt for extremely rare Pyrex patterns and shapes.Ĭorning, the company that makes Pyrex, never missed an opportunity to promote its products to housewives back in the vintage Pyrex era of the fifties, sixties and seventies. Estate sales are often swarming with hardcore Pyrex collectors seeking their next big find. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Pyrex has a cult following.