Images(6)

Coffeepot

Object number2012.41.16 a-d

Designer Lurelle Guild (American, 1898 - 1985)

Manufacturer Aluminum Company of America (1907 - 1998)

Date1932

OriginUnited States of America

Mediumaluminum, composition

Credit LineIn memory of Michael L. Coleman

DescriptionAluminum coffee maker.Dimensions11 in. (27.9 cm)
Inscriptions(a)
Tag: "MC 65".
Marks(a)
Text on base "No. 5052 / WEAR-EVER" / circular logo with stars in each corner; vertically, "T.A.C. U.Co."; horizontally, "ALUMINUM" / "TRADE MARK / MADE IN U.S.A. / PAT. DES. 86671 / PAT. APP'D FOR".

(b)
Text engraved on base "PAT. No 1885666".

(c)
Text engraved on base "MFD. UNDER / PAT. No / 1743925".
Historical NotesPart of a collection of Wear-Ever coffee pots, tea kettles and cookware made by the Aluminum Cooking Utensil Company. In an effort to generate a larger market for aluminum the Pittsburgh Reduction Company (Alcoa) promoted new uses for aluminum and the most successful was in the manufacturing of cooking utensils. In 1901, production was so successful the company formed its own cookware subsidiary, Aluminum Cooking Utensil Company. The company then adopted the Wear-Ever brand name. Its products, including coffee pots, tea kettles, pans, and juicers, were sold both in stores and door-to-door. The top of the line products made by Wear-Ever were called Kensington Ware. The line was produced in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and featured a large number of differing products from candlesticks to bowls to ashtrays to vases. These items helped to show new potential uses for aluminum and also demonstrated the metal's beauty and durability. Alcoa sold the Wear-Ever business to a company called Mirro in 1982.Label TextWearever, a subsidiary of Alcoa which made utensils, cookware, and house wares, began selling goods in 1900. Its products, including coffee pots, tea kettles, pans, and juicers, were sold both in stores and door-to-door. In Alcoa’s early years the many uses of aluminum were still being discovered and the creation and sale of this aluminum cookware by Wearever helped to broaden the metal’s use.

Collector MIchael L. Coleman

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