Country Woman

APRIL I MAY 2015 COUNTRY WOMAN 27paint should be used as decorative pieces only, butmany food-safe reproductions are pretty easy to find.You should be able to purchase vintage tumblers ingood condition for $6 each.True brewCoffee fans across America perked up in 1949 withthe dawn of the Flavo-Matic Percolator. Made bythe West Bend Aluminum Co., the new model was afully automatic upgrade of the company’s stovetoppercolator. Just plug it in and let it brew, ads advised,“to the exact peak of flavor.”The Flavo-Matic was sold in basic aluminum aswell as three trendy colors of the day, Sunset Gold,Delphinium Blue and Cherry Red. The 6- to 8-cuppercolator sold for $11.95 to $13.95. Today, expect topay around $65 for one in excellent working conditionwith all parts included—basket insert, stem, lid, glassfinial and original cord.Note: When this vintage percolator is plugged in, theexterior metal gets very hot.``````Polar oppositesAnother novel product from West Bend left buyerscold—and hot. Patented in 1941, the Penguin Hot andCold Server doubled as an ice bucket and food warmer.Embossed with eight waddling penguins, thischrome container graced many a buffet table at get-togethers in the ’50s and ’60s. Collectors today love itfor its Art Deco style, complete with sloping handlesthat resemble penguin flippers. It can be used foreverything from warming chocolate to storing plasticbags or food scraps for composting. A container inpoor condition will cost a few dollars; in excellentshape, it’s worth $50 to $95. Q``````Barbara J. Eash is a certified personal property appraiser whospecializes in antiques and collectibles.``````Morning brew.Coffee lovers fellfor slick plug-inpercolatorslike this one.``````Technotumblers.Fans stillthirst forfun cupslike these.``````Hot and cold.Penguin bucketkeeps contentswarm or cool.``````“A four-piece canister set, priced at$6.88 in 1960, is now worth morethan $100 in mint condition.”