The primary color mixing bowl set is the first multi-colored pyrex mixing bowl set that was made. These 4 bowl sets began to be manufactured in the 1940s. They are referred to as the 400 series bowls or the Primary Color Bowls. Many Pyrex collectors consider the Primary Color Bowls to be the standard when it comes to collecting vintage Pyrex cookware.
The Pyrex Primary Colors Mixing Bowls set contains a 4 quart yellow bowl that is 10 inches in diameter, a 2 and 1/2 quart green bowl that is 8 inches in diameter, a 1 and 1/4 quart red bowl that is 7 inches in diameter, and a 1 pint blue bowl that is 5 and 1/2 inches in diameter.
Although the Primary color mixing bowl set is not rare, it is extremely popular among collectors. As a matter of fact, this set is considered to be the most sought after. It can be quite easy to find the smaller mixing bowls in excellent condition. However, the larger bowls can be a little more difficult to find. Because of their larger size, they are more likely to be damaged or broken. These mixing bowls nest inside one another for ease of storage. Because of this characteristic, it is not unusual to find complete, four bowl sets in good condition. As with most collectables, condition greatly affects the price. If you are purchasing bowls from an online auction, be sure to request clear photographs or detailed information regarding the quality of the bowls.
Throughout the years, there have been some color variations in the Primary Color Pyrex Mixing Bowls set. Collectors should also be aware that the oldest sets are not numbered on the bottom. The mixing bowls were not numbered until the 1950s and continued to be numbered until the 1970s. Be cautious if a seller claims that a bowl set is old because it does not have numbers. It is possible to remove the numbers on the bottom of the bowls by grinding them off. It is also possible that the bowls are a newer set that was made with older molds. Sometimes, the numbers would wear off the molds and not imprint on the bowls themselves. Find out if the bowls set comes with the original box. This will help you to determine the age of the bowls and if they were originally sold together as a set. Check the thickness of the bowl walls. Bowls made in the 1940s are thicker than their newer counter parts.
The most common question that a collector of vintage Pyrex mixing bowls may have is how much the bowl set is worth. This is typically the most popular question regarding any type of collectable. Vintage mixing bowls are only worth what someone is willing to pay for them. You may be able to estimate or guess how much the bowls are worth but do not assume that you will automatically get book value for your bowls. If you are looking to buy vintage Pyrex mixing bowls, you may find that, given the market, you end up paying either more or less than the book value for the bowls.
Because this can be a frustrating scenario, it is always better to collect something that you love. It is typically more enjoyable to collect for fun and profit rather than for profit alone. When you collect something that you love and enjoy, it will not be as frustrating if you end up over paying for a few of your pieces.
A benefit of collecting vintage Pyrex mixing bowls is that these pieces are easy to find and very affordable. You can easily find vintage mixing bowels at yard sales, flea markets, estate sales, and online auctions. This makes Pyrex mixing bowels the perfect starting point for a novice vintage glass collector. If you over pay for a piece at the beginning of your collecting experience, you will likely only be out ten or twenty dollars, not hundreds, or thousands. The vast majority of vintage mixing bowels can be purchased for less than twenty dollars.
When searching for pieces for you collection, keep in mind that complete sets are the most desirable and sought after. If you can find complete sets in the original box with the original instructions, you have hit the jackpot! The condition of the bowls is also extremely important. Try to find vintage Pyrex mixing bowls that do not have chips, cracks, or scratches. With Pyrex, it is also important to look for bowls that have a uniform, unblemished color or pattern.
Most collectors believe that the vintage mixing bowls that were manufactured in primary colors are the most valuable. However, keep in mind that this can be based on personal preference as well. A collector may be willing to pay more for a certain pattern over a solid primary color because he or she prefers the pattern.
In your search, if you happen to stumble upon any promotional Pyrex pieces, you may want to consider buying them. These promotional items are relatively rare because fewer were made. They were typically manufactured only for promotions and many were not even available to the public.
Remember that the real value of vintage Pyrex mixing bowls is in the joy of collecting and owning. Try not to be too caught up in value and try to enjoy your collection. Pyrex is affordable, easy to find, and fun to look for. You can easily build a nice collection that you will treasure without breaking the bank.
As more and more people start collecting and using pyrex cookware, Pink Pyrex is coming to be somewhat of a classic item to start with. Who says you can't bake with something pretty in pink? But because more and more people are looking for particular pyrex items in this rather frilly color, they are getting a better harder to get a hold of. And if you're new starting out this can become a little bit frustrating.
Don't let that frustration get to you though, just keep on persevering and before long you'll find that exact piece that you've been looking for. Collecting pyrex can become a love affair quite quickly and people will tend to collect it for one or two reasons. The first being that they are an avid collector of vintage pyrex cookware and the second type is just into all the retro and vintage items that they could still use in their kitchen. Trying to fit a certain theme they are attempting to capture in their kitchen. And what better way for a pink kitchen than getting some vintage pink pyrex bowls
As you begin collecting these vintage pieces, what you'll notice is that it's still a relatively inexpensive hobby to get into that can turn into an obsession. Not only that, pink mixing bowls are quite sexy in my opinion. Although they are not all that rare, they can still be quite a handful to find. But, you can usually pick them up for under twenty bucks or so with the vast majority of them coming in well under that. Besides, even if you're not collecting these little pink marvels, imagine just using them in your kitchen. Whipping up that next frothy cake batter to perfection in one of these pink bowls would simply look scrumptuous.
One of the more popular items that people try to get their hands on is the Pink Gooseberry Pyrex. These are quite stylish. The gooseberry pattern is simply some gooseberry leaves intertwined with some berries and flowers. Typically what you'll see when looking for the pink version of this is it's either on a solid white bowl with the pattern in pink, or you get the solid pink bowl with the gooseberry pattern in white. Either one is really pretty.
One of the reasons I love going to antique malls so much is to add to my collection of vintage kitchen knick knacks. I particularly love floral plates, porcelain tea cups and saucers, and vintage tea towels.
What are your favorite vintage finds at flea markets?
