Toastmaster 1B 24

[rp2813]

I picked this toaster up at Savers today.  It's in fairly clean condition considering its age.

 

I'm guessing it's mid-50's at the newest, since the body is the same as the postwar types but with more modern black handles that have been moved to the bottom, resulting in a no-longer-integrated operating lever.

 

This one sounds different from the brown-handled postwar models, both when it cocks itself prior to raising the toast and when the raising mechanism is triggered.  To me, it sounds more solid.

 

It received a new polarized rubber cord in recent years.  I'll need to replace it with something more compatible.  I think I could get away with using this for the daily driver when the KitchenAid eventually toasts itself.  I guess I have a thing for transitional models because this one really appeals to me.

[this post was last edited: 9/1/2011-22:45]

 

[rp2813]

Side view. 

 

Funhouse effect of the chrome housing is anything but flattering.  I should have capitalized and tilted the toaster downward.

 

 

[hydralique]

What a nice find . . .

I've always loved the little design embossed into the sides of these.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

TOASTERS: My All-Time Fav' Small Kitchen Appliances!!!!

Toasters are one of my favorite appliances...

Mine is a generic white Cuisinart...

Only bought because the knob doesn't turn as freely as the other brands (like a more "solid, steady" turn) and because the crumb tray is easy to clean (though I probably don't dump out the crumbs as regularly as I should...

The number that the toasting is set on lights up, too when the toaster is plugged in but I always disconnect it when I'm not using it...

-- Dave

 

[mattl]

Interesting.  The body says vintage 40's -50's but the handles scream 60's...

 

[rp2813]

I agree that the handles look later vintage than they must be.  I wonder if this model could have been the first toaster ever to have its handles relocated to the bottom, a design change that has been widely used by various makes ever since.  Time to do some on-line research, and any information about this series from informed members would be appreciated.

 

It's definitely an oddball, it caught my eye immediately, it screams "Hardware Wars" and I didn't hesitate to grab it.

 

[mixfinder]

No Pop Up Blockers!

While Toastermaster offered up the sheek and modern toaster with side mounted controls in the early sixties this older bloated model continued to get it up every morning through the late sixties as a regular offering for those less hip.

 

[rp2813]

I did some checking on line.  This model run may have lasted into 1956. 

 

I found one going for as little as $9.99 BIN on ebay all the way up to a ridiculous $245 on a toaster site.  I guess I did OK at $7.99.

 

[twintubdexter]

wonderfully cool toaster Ralph

I remember a Savers store on West San Carlos at Bascom near my childhood employer Western Appliance...are there others in the Bay Area? and that Bob's Big Boy pic on your profile looks like the one that was on Winchester Blvd with the Century Theatres in the backround...all very nice.

 

[rp2813]

Joe,

 

Yes, it's that very same Savers and the very same Bob's, except Bob's is now Flames coffee shop.  They haven't messed it up much inside.  We eat there frequently.

 

 

 

[chromagnon]

Toastmaster S-131

This is a late 1950s toaster. You can see it featured in a fall, 1958 Life magazine at http://books.google.com/books?id=cj8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA74

You are correct that it used the same postwar 2-piece shell, with top seam, as the incredibly popular 1B14 (1947-1961) with the curved bakelite handles. In the interim, in the early 1950s Toastmaster had come out with the automated, chain-driven 1B16 "Powermatic" in part to compete with Sunbeam's self-lowering T-20 line. But the 1B16 had a much more "modern" shell that was probably off-putting to some.

The S-131 allowed a loyalist to the workhorse 1B14s to maintain that basic look while getting the benefit of modern "updating." So it's a stylistic hybrid: 1940s contours, sleek 1950s space-age-fin handles (with gold decal).

Up until recently there was not much interest in toasters with decals on the handles. Now they seem to be getting a little nostalgia interest, and like the Sunbeam ATW the S-131 might be finding some fans.

 

[chromagnon]

1B24 not S-131

Actually, looking more closely at your pix, it looks like what you have is a Model 1B24. That's also what's shown in the 1958 Life magazine ad I referenced in my previous post. The S-131 was essentially identical. The difference is that the push-down knob was higher on the S-131, giving it a longer "throw" and thus making it easier for the operator. The 1B24 came first and was, I think, the last of the "1B" line that began in 1930. It was not introduced until at least late 1957. And by the early 1960s Toastmaster would again replace their line with boxy, brushed-finish models. You can date your toaster with a high degree of confidence to 1957-1960.

http://books.google.com/books?id=cj8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA74

 

[rp2813]

Thanks for the additional information.  It's indeed a 1B24. 

 

Growing up and into the early 80's, my parents had the ubiquitous 1B14, most likely a 1949 model since that's when they were married.  I remember seeing those by the ton in thrift stores back in the 70's.

 

To me, the 1B24 brings to mind the Western Electric model 5302 telephone, which beginning in the early 50's put a new modern case around an older instrument.  Toastmaster did the opposite, maintaining the older style shell but giving it some new trim, and why not, considering the 1B14's incredible reliability, it made some sense to retain the look.  It's a weird hybrid but that's why I like it.  Plus, the 1B's are great toasters that generally speaking are next to impossible to kill.

 

[norgeway]

Toaster collectors!

You all do know there is a CLUB!!! I got to give a lecture at their convention a few years ago in Winston Salem, I along with Clay Floyd, gave a talk on vacuum cleaners.

 

[maytagbear]

There's a website, as well.

Wacky as this one, though.

Link included.

Try to find a new toaster retailing for under 80.00 that will last more than three years! I don't think there is such a beast.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

http://toaster.org