Images(3)

Mold, Food

Object number2016.68.6 a,b

Manufacturer Aluminum Company of America (1907 - 1998)

Manufacturer The Aluminum Cooking Utensil Company, Inc.

Datebefore 1966

OriginNew Kensington, PA

OriginOakland, CA

MediumAluminum; Paper (Cardboard); Ink

Credit LineGift of Massena Aluminum Historical Association

DescriptionAluminum melon mold with original cardboard box.DimensionsHeight x Width x Length (a): 3.75 × 5.375 × 7.375 in. (9.5 × 13.7 × 18.7 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (b): 8.25 × 5.625 × 3.875 in. (21 × 14.3 × 9.8 cm)
InscriptionsWear-Ever melon mold (a) with original box (b).

(a) Aluminum melon mold, No. 2931. Oblong hemisphere with ribbed lines along dome. Flat, flaring rim. Maker's mark imprinted on one long side above rim at center.

(b) Original paper cardboard box for melon mold. Rectangular, opens at both short ends. Decorated with dark blue, orange, and white details. Front of box has illustration of melon mold with product and maker information above and below. Other five sides each have a recipe.
Marks(a)
Text imprinted on one long side above rim at center "No 2931 / WEAR-EVER / [logo with horizontal text "ALUMINUM" and vertical text "T A C U C O"] / TRADE MARK / MADE IN U.S.A."

(b)
Front of box has white and orange text "Wear-Ever / ALUMINUM / CAPACITY 1 QUART / [logo with text "WEAR-EVER / T A C U C O / ALUMINUM / TRADE MARK / REG. U.S. PAT. OFF."] / NO. 2931 / For Molded.. / SALADS, DESSERTS / PUDDINGS ETC. / MELON MOLD / STAIN-RESISTING ALUMILITE FINISH / SEE OTHER PANELS FOR RECIPES".

Back side has blue printed text along the bottom "The Contents of Wear-Ever Melon Molds Can Be Removed Easily by Dipping in Hot Water / THE ALUMINUM COOKING UTENSIL COMPANY / NEW KENSINGTON, PA. OAKLAND, CALIF."

Other five sides each have recipes "By MARGARET MITCHELL, Director, Wear-Ever Kitchens", recipes include "FESTIVE PUDDING", "CHRISTMAS FIG PUDDING", "FOAMY RUM SAUCE", "PLUM PUDDING", "HARD SAUCE", "JELLIED HAM SALAD", "HORSERADISH SAUCE", and "VEGETABLE SALAD".
Historical NotesWear-Ever melon mold No. 2931 During Alcoa’s early years, when they were still the Pittsburgh Reduction Company, they not only produced aluminum, but because it was a new metal, they also manufactured it into useful products in order to create a market. Cookware was one of their first ventures and in 1901 they created The Aluminum Cooking Utensil Company in New Kensington. By 1903 they called the company “Wear-Ever”. The Kensington Ware line was introduced in 1934 as the decorative high-end line of aluminum giftware.

Related person Margaret Mitchell

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