Recent Rare Pieces Spied Online

In the summer of 2021, there was a rash of rare pieces up for sale on eBay. Listed for either buy-it-now or auction, prices were understandably high for such unicorn pieces, and complete ones at that. Even though yours truly is not the lucky owner of any of these (though members of the Mad for Merry Mushroom Facebook group are), simply finding and analyzing the pictures was thrilling and provided valuable information to add to the collector's guide.

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This was exciting to see a complete (to my knowledge) All-Purpose Cooker and in excellent condition. One of the first cookware pieces available in the early 1970s, the cooker had a wood knob which changed to a black plastic knob. That makes this one the later version. The mushroom decal is on the front and back. Sold June 21, 2021.

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Listed as a 5-in-1 Cabinet in the catalogs, there were three versions offered between 1975 and 1984. This version was available in the early 1980s. Five canisters of the same size with black plastic lids sit on top of the breadbox with cutting board. What appeared to be wood knobs with wide ridges in the catalog look like black plastic here. The brand is also identified as Ecko, a Chicago-based house wares company known for its Miracle Can Opener. Sold June 26, 2021.

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THIS is interesting. Given the low profile of this breadbox, I'm pretty sure this is the bottom of the Cabinet and Canister Set, available in 1979. The top has rectangular depression for the four canisters with black lids, which would have been awesome to see. Interestingly, this one is marked Ecko Canada Limited. During the post-war boom, Ecko did acquire numerous subsidiaries in Canada, Mexico, Germany, and Australia so this may have been manufactured by one of them. Sold July 12, 2021.

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Another early 1970s offering, this is the first slow cooker, available in 1974. This listing was special in that it was complete with the original silver hot plate, electrical cord, and ceramic lid with orange-topped knob. The 3 1/2 quart pot was thought to be porcelain-covered steel is really a McCoy Ovenproof ceramic pot. Sold August 1, 2021.

Wow! Vinyl appliance covers show up from time to time, but rarely four of the seven made in the same lot. Based on the sketch-like quality of the mushroom decal, these are the first version offered in the late 1970s. From left to right are the blender, mixer, coffee systems, and toaster (unsure if 2 or 4 slice). Sold August 6, 2021.

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Another WOW piece! Other microwave cookware has been listed and sold but this is the first Roast Pan with Domed Cover, complete with Roast Rack I've seen. Available in the last 1970s, the pan and cover was sold separately from the rack. The smoky clear plastic dome has a vent hole in the center and two tabs for handles on the short ends. In the catalog, the rack does have a tiny mushroom decal on each of the handles; this one is missing one. Sold August 15, 2021.