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It always surprises me the toy items made in Japan for a child’s kitchen.  They were made for the mass market and not very well done.  But are they ever cute!

 I started collecting the Flower Pot kitchen utility pieces soon after I saw a little set in one of Doris Lechler’s books.     I really just wanted the reamer and a couple of the mixing bowls, but after I got started, I just couldn’t stop!

I have found 3 different Flower Pot patterns, but I’m sure there could be more. The set on the left with a flower pot in front of a picket fence.And the picture on the right shows two flower pots on steps. 

I have found two different flower pot patterns on the steps.   The pot and flowers are different. 

These two little bowls below show the other Flower Pot pattern with the little pots on steps.

 They were sold in various packing.   I’ve seen them in plain brown boxes and also wrapped in cellophane and tied with a bow.

There are pancake warmers, syrup sets, shakers, trivets … and many other nice kitchen utility items.   What more could any little girl want?

I’ve listed some of these on My Vintage Toy Tea Sets website. 

Jan

I love the “Like Mother’s”™ cook and bake sets made by Mirro.

This little tin litho stove has the logo “Like Mother’s” Registered Trademark on it, and although it’s not marked with anything else, I believe it was made by Mirro to go along with all of the little sets of pots and pans they made.

I listed 4 stoves this week and have already sold 3 of them, including this little tin litho one.

These little pots and pan sets came with everything a child cook might need.   And they looked just like the sets a little girls mother might have. This is the boxed set that’s displayed on the stove now.And they’re a perfect fit for the “Like Mother’s” stove!

I have some exciting news this morning!

I got a call from the author of  Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles  this last week wanting to know if I would like to submit some photos of my toy kitchen items for her next book.  I told her I would love to work with her on it.   There is  a small section in her current book  that covers the toy kitchen items and she is wanting to expand on it in her next book.

She had emailed me last year and I just couldn’t do it at that time, but I’m really excited about it now and looking forward to working with her on it.

I haven’t read Dianne’s book yet, but before my big kitchen remodel last year, my kitchen was done in  40’s / 50’s style and I’ve always loved the retro kitschy kitchen collectibles.  I have ordered it and look forward to getting it.      She also has another book,  Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes, that you might enjoy reading and she is the editor of I Antique Online

When I spoke with her, she mentioned a book that was out now on toy kitchen items.   I ordered that book online too and it should be here in the next few days.   It’s called Collector’s Guide to Housekeeping Toys.  I’m looking forward to getting it and will probably read it cover-to-cover as soon as it comes in.When I receive the Housekeeping Toys book, I’ll let you all know what great new treasures I find in it.  And I want to see if I have things that are not included in the book so they can be included in Dianne’s book.

Yes, it’s that time of year again, the annual Spring Cleaning that we all feel we must do.   I think it’s some kind of law and I’m fearful of answering the door, afraid it’s that woman with the white glove, checking to see if I’ve cleaned yet.   What happens if I don’t?   Will all the neighbors know?   Will there be a white glove with an X thru it painted on my forehead for all to see?   I’m trying to get a few things packed away so I can paint the kitchen during this annual Spring Cleaning mission that I’m on.    One of my favorite things is this little Cass Kitchen Cabinet.   I’ve just cleaned it with Murphy’s wood cleaner  bubble wrapped it carefully and put it in a box.   I’ll miss it for awhile, but know if it doesn’t sell, it will be back on a shelf here in my kitchen!  I love that it has the little pull-out pastry board and a tin flour bin in front.   It’s almost like the one I had many years ago, only mine was adult size.     There used to be so many cute, functional, “just like mother’s” toys for little girls to play with.  As you can see, my Spring Cleaning has already taken a backseat to playing with my toys.   Alas, the best I can do is offer the white-glove lady a cup of tea and some memories of days gone by when she knocks on the door.

My customer received her little Wear-Ever teakettle and was very happy with it.   When she ordered it she said   “I have some full-sized Wear-Ever Hallite, BTW, and I thought this would make a cute addition.”

I got an email from her yesterday:

Jan, just wanted you to know the toy tea kettle arrived today and it’s even cuter than I thought!  It looks just like my full-sized Hallite, and is a great addition to my 40s and 50s kitchenware collection.

This reminded me that I had sold the complete set of the Hallite Jr. not long ago and that customer was just as please.    I always enjoying reading my emails and knowing why someone is attracted to something, and even more important, if it was what they expected.

There are no words to even begin to tell you how thrilled I am about this set!  My mother just passed away a few weeks ago and I have been going through her things and those pots and pans were such a part of our lives that I couldn’t imagine parting with them.  What I really wanted was the memory.  This wonderful little set is absolutely perfect for that!   I collect way too many things — but I KNOW that this set is always going to be incredibly special to me.  Thanks so much for your wonderful site!

Isn’t March suppose to come in like a lion and out like a lamb?

Jan

This email included some wonderful pictures of two different 50’s era toy kitchens.

“Jan, I have a very old 3 piece pink plastic stove, sink and refrigerator set that I used to play with in the 50’s.  I am going through vintage toys in my house from my childhood and my childrens’ childhoods so I have vintage toys from the 50’s thru the 70’s.  The “kitchen” items I have are the pink kitchen set and I also have a doll kitchen set and the box it came in.  Would you be interested in purchasing these items from me or do you know where I could sell vintage toys to collectors.  Granted, these items have been played with but the fact that they are as old as they are is attractive to a collector.  Thanks for your time.  Below are pics of the Dream Kitchen and I will have to send you the 3 pc pink kitchen separately in my next email.”

I don’t collect these sets, although I used to.   If anyone has any information as to value or if you’re interested, just let me know and I’ll contact the person that sent me the email.

Click on the thumbnail pictures for a larger image.

I love the little verses on the side of the A&J
Mother’s Little Helper utensils.

Here are some that I have.

All little girls should learn to cook
For they’ll be ladies soon.
So here’s a little kitchen set
A beater, bowl and spoon.

Here’s a little kitchen set
All girls will love to own
‘Twill teach them how to be good cooks
When to ladies they have grown.

It’s fun to cook and help mamma
With little tools like these
The eggs they beat, the cream they whip
Are guaranteed to please.

For a little maid who likes to help
When mother bakes her pies
Within this box she’ll surely find
A set that will surprise.

For little girls who love to help
When mothers cook and bake
This little set will beat the eggs
To put into the cake.
 

For little maids who help mamma
To bake and meals prepare
Within this box you’ll find a set
Of handy kitchen ware.

When I grow big like Mother is
I’ll be a housewife too
And keep the house, and cook the meals
Like all grown ladies do.

With these little kitchen tools
I’ll practice day by day
When I’m grown, I’ll know such tools
Make work just seem like play.

A little girl can learn to cook
And also bake with ease
If she will always have on hand
Some kitchen tools like these

Do you know of any more?

It’s always difficult to price items in my collection. I know we all have books that give us an estimate on value (book value), but prices will normally vary from that.