Monday, April 12, 2010

Vintage Kitchen Playset

I have several of these vintage tin toy kitchen playsets: they line the counters and appliance tops in my real kitchen, which I never use. I think I've used my Easy Bake Oven more than I have my real oven, now that I think about it...It's futile to expect real food, or even coffee, at my house, but if you want to play kitchen, I can totally hook you up.

Anyway, here's my latest set, scored at an antique show last weekend. All made of lithographed tin in the late 1940s - early 1950s, the stove is by Marx while the fridge and sink are by Wolverine. For scale, the stove measures 12 1/2 inches high.


The fridge features great lithography on the inside door, revealing well-stocked shelves, and houses some unique pressed tin food items:


The stove has an opening oven door with a bright red rack inside:


And the sink actually works: a reservoir on the back can be filled with water, which then pours out through the tap!


A very retro kitchen set, indeed. Makes me want to go to Grandma's for some pie.

10 comments:

  1. I have a set of "life-size" brand kitchen toys made out of metal. I cannot find them anywhere online. Have you heard of Life-size brand. I have the stove, cupboard, sink and refridgerator. They are pink and look like maybe 1960's or 70's.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your set is probably a Wolverine Tin Life Size Kitchen Set frm early 60's. You are missing the washing machine. Sets in good consition can bring up to $500.

      Delete
  2. Hello,

    I'm sorry, I've not seen that brand either. I looked in some of my reference books last night, but no luck. I have a pink set too, but its 1950s and made by Wolverine.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is totally not fair. I had to wait 43 years to get MY retro kitchen... and here kids are getting them now! What is the world coming to? 8-)


    P.S.

    I have entered a contest to win a walk-on role on the retro-licious show "Mad Men".

    If you would take two seconds to vote for me, I would really appreciate it. Just go to my blog, or use this link to go straight to my photo page.

    http://madmencastingcall.amctv.com/browse/detail/EZ3MBH

    Thanks a bunch!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I adore your kitchen items. Like you, I to have a passion for children's items. I have the old (doll size) stoves, ref, stepback cupboards, mixers, blenders, tea sets, dishes etc. I never get tired of seeing what other people have.

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  5. I have a brown set myself. Found nothing about it. Had coca cola bottles in fridge among other items. Purchased for $60 for my children.

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  6. I actually have the brown set of Life Size brand metal -- fridge, stove, oven. It is also likely early 60's as I played with them as a kid. I'm trying to find out more information about them. My set is not is great condition, but dealers at my yard sale last week were VERY interested. Anybody have any info???

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  7. Reviving this thread - I picked up the Life Size brand play kitchen in pink, probably from the 60's, for $10 total. Would love to know more about it!
    Photo:
    https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/166072_10100317171043684_1880112747_n.jpg

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For $10?! Wow, you got a great deal! I don't know much about that set, but from the comments here it seems there's a lot of interest in them. Great find!

      Delete
  8. Toys and collectibles are everyone's favourites, and the gender does not matter here. Men as well as women would spend quite an amount of time and money looking for toys that they would like to collect, or even decorate their home. popular teddy bears

    ReplyDelete