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Mushroom Musings

A Closer Look: Casserole, Saucepan, or Skillet?

7/27/2020

 
There are several white glass-ceramic dishes in the Merry Mushrooms line and, while they all have the same decal pattern on the side, have white bases, and clear glass lids, not all are technically the same type of dish or Corning Ware brand.
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First is an oval covered Casserole, the first one of its kind sold. The brand isn't mentioned in the catalog. It might be Anchor Hocking Fire King brand cookware.

Second is the Casserole Ovenware Set, offered in mid-1970s catalogs. The lids of the round dishes and the oval dish appear to be clear and not dimpled like the other dishes below. Exisiting dishes are also found with undimpled lids which may not be replacements afterall. They might be Anchor Hocking Fire King brand cookware since the mixing bowls offered in the same catalog have been identified as such.

Third are the Covered Corning Ware Saucepans, first appearing in the sae catalog as the ones above. These pans look just like the casserole dishes but have dimpled clear PYREX glass covers, are identified as Corning Ware, and make use of the Corning Ware black plastic transferable handle. It's this handle which makes these saucepans and not casseroles.

Lastly are the Covered Corning Ware Skillets, also for sale in the mid-1970s. Like the Saucepans, these skillets resemble casserole dishes but for the transferable handle that was sold with them. Again, the skillets have the dimpled clear PYREX covers. But, since they are described as skillets, the sizes are given in diameter and not quarts like saucepans or casseroles.
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Casserole
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Casserole Set. Maybe Anchor Hocking Fire King?
Corning Ware and PYREX Saucepans
Corning Ware and PYREX Covered Skillets

Discoveries: McCoy 3 Quart Slow Cooker

7/20/2020

 
Available in one mid-1970s catalog, this was the second Merry Mushrooms slow cooker offered. This one was seen in the wild on eBay.

According to The McCoy Pottery Collector's Society, McCoy was sold to Lancaster Colony Corporation in 1974 and quickly changed all the marks but still used the McCoy name. It is exciting to discover the maker, a fact which isn't listed in the catalog. Makes me wonder if Lancaster Colony Corporation didn't pay Sears to have the brand name listed.

Though missing the hot plate, this slow cooker sold for $39.00 plus shipping on July 7, 2020.
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On the Big Screen: Ghostbusters

7/13/2020

 
None other than the enigmatic Ms. Dana Barrett in the original Ghostbusters (1984) has a 6 quart Merry Mushrooms slow cooker on her kitchen counter! It’s seen as Dana makes dinner and drinks wine, chuckling as she listens to a radio announcer share the exploits of “those guys on tv” on her sweet stereo.

My husband, Nate, and I were watching the movie and I said, "Wait a second" and grabbed the remote. Skipping back, I paused and stood up to get a better look. Nate was confused until I said triumphantly, "There's a Merry Mushrooms slow cooker back there!" Needless to say, her was quite impressed with my vision.

​If only my hearing were so keen.
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Discoveries: Viking Fire King Set of Mixing Bowls

7/10/2020

 
How thrilling was it to see these on eBay! Unfortunately for my bank account, the bidding quickly sent the price well over $200.00 at the time of this writing. In any event, it's a treat to see this complete and well cared-for set of 4 mixing bowls. And to find that they are Anchor Hocking Fire King Brand cook ware. Once again, the brand name wasn't included in the catalog so likely the company didn't pay Sears to have it listed.

Interestingly, these oven-proof glass Fire King bowls appear in the same catalog as the Corning Ware and PYREX Saucepans and Skillets, and Corning Ware and PYREX were named in the catalog.

UPDATE: The set sold for a whopping $267.99 on July 15, 2020!

UPDATE 11/22/2020: Another complete set sold for $185.59 on November 15, 2020.
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