A few neat Estate Sale finds...

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jons1077

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I thought some of you might get a kick out of a few things I found at a couple of estate sales. Today I happened to find this cool Universal Coffeematic coffee pot. I really looks so nice for what appears to be a 58 year old appliance. I took a little polish to it and cleaned it up nicely. I just need to locate a new light bulb and it'll be good to go.

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Sunbeam Coffee Pot

This is one a found for a few bucks several weeks ago. It was actually pretty nasty. I had to really scrub the grease off of it but with a little polish it looks good as new and makes great coffee! I can't remember the year of this one but I'm thinking mid 1950's. Seems like it was a 1956 model.

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Salvo tablets and Arm & Hammer wash powder

These happened to be out for sale today also for 50 cents a piece. The boxes apparently were very well stored because there is absolutely no wear anywhere on them at all. That Salvo box looks and smells like it was just taken out of the new washer it came in. Too bad that washer wasn't there with them!

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Jon, great finds, both the Universal and the Sunbeam make excellent coffee. That Salvo is really neat as well. I remember when that first came out. They sent out samples in the mail, with 4 tablets. We did use that detergent on and off for a while.
 
Perkin' Deluxe!

Just look at those chrome beauties! Great finds! I have a couple Universal pots and find that the interior finish is often worn down to the the brass from cleaning, but regardless of that, it makes great coffee. That Sunbeam is just wonderful, and I think that model makes particularly good coffee. It has an interesting indicator light, that goes on and off (at least on mine) when the heating warming element goes on. It's also a heavy pot for it's size and made with real craftsmanship. Sunbeam appliances of that era were very well made. Congrats on your new treasures - brew up a nice pot of Maxwell House and enjoy!
 
Love the soapboxes. I was buying some at estate sales around here, but the supply seems to have dried up. I wonder if someone got smart and has been swiping them before I can get there!
 
Thanks guys!

The Sunbeam has Model AP on the underside. The picture on here doesn't do it much justice because I didn't repolish the outside. I've had it for a little while and have been using it. It does make rather good, strong coffee. The white strength indicator lights up anytime the heating element is on so it does cycle on and off once the coffee is finished.

The Universal Coffeematic is Model 4410. It appears to be slightly larger and works the exact same way as the Sunbeam. I bet I wouldn't be able to tell the two apart in a taste test. The Universal has seen far less use from what I can tell. I won't use the cord that came with the Sunbeam because it is less than safe. Kind of a funny story with the Sunbeam though... Tony and I have been doing a lot of tent camping this summer just around the Oregon coast. Typically there's at least an electrical outlet nearby at the tent sites so I decided to take the Sunbeam with us on the first trip. Sure enough I used it early the first morning outside to make a pot of Maxwell House of course. (It's good to the last drop!) The next campground we went to had NO plugs anywhere. Well, not completely true. There was a plug in the bathroom. :-) Luckily no one else was up yet so there was no problem with me standing at the sink with my percolator for about 10 minutes making coffee in the public restroom.

I dismantled the bottom portion of the Universal to pull the light bulb out. Just a small little bulb that should be able to find a replacement. The light is directly connected to the heating element so should work exactly the same as the Sunbeam. On/Off with the heating element.

I thought the Salvo tabs were pretty cool. It'd be cool to find a bunch more of those so I could actually try one sometime. I don't plan on opening these boxes because they are in way too good of shape to destroy. I'm going to put them in ziplocs and keep them stored until I can display them with the machines one day.

Terry, I just knew you'd be interested in this post because you like those small appliances so much. I kind of posted this stuff for you and I was excited to see your response. You guys tell me anything you know about them and show some pictures because I think they are beautiful! You just don't walk into Sears now and see anything half as well-made and pretty as these are.

Jon
 
Wow - the Sunbeam pot and the Salvo sample is like seeing a parallel universe - I found the same a couple of weeks ago!

We've been using the Sunbeam in the kitchen since I found it and it works great but that light it just backwards, logic would say it should be on when coffee is ready! Oh well, it's too pretty to not love. That Universal is nearly identical in construction and operation as the Sunbeam and is one of the prettiest of this style.

Enjoy your finds - Salvo is fun to have but most I've found is pretty well useless from age by now. All of mine is like small, white rocks that never dissolve.
 
Just saw this...

Great finds Jon! I remember my mother dropping Salvo tablets into a Speed Queen washer when I was very young.

Great coffee pots too. Is the coffee better than the Keurig?

Patrick
 
Universal 4410

Just rechecked my Universal Pot.
It too is a 4410. It was born July 19, 1955.
To find the date (at least on mine), turn it upside down and look INTO the TOP of where you insert the AC CORD. That is where my date is. If not, you'll have to take off the bottom if your curiosity gets to you.
If you do find out the date - let us know. It'll be fun if our pots are sisters... Or twins!
 
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