Receta Amber Waves of Grain - My W-Series Wheat Collection
I am not buying this story anymore.
I have found WAY too many pieces that prove that production of this pattern began in 1963 (possibly 1962) and lasted at least until 1969, but more likely all the way through to 1971. I also do not believe the pattern was restricted to the West Coast, since I see a LOT of Wheat pieces being sold on eBay and Etsy that are located in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida or New York.
This is my Wheat collection as of October 2014.... It is still not complete, as there are several pieces I know exist, but still need to track down.
The Basic Cookware Pieces.....
Back-left: W-2 1/2-B (2 1/2 quart Saucepan) with W-17 (2 quart Double Boiler insert), W-10-B (10 inch Skillet), W-16-B (11 inch Skillet), W-34-B (4 quart Dutch Oven)
Front-left: W-1 3/4-B (1 3/4 quart Saucepan), W-1-B (1 quart Saucepan), W-4-B (1 1/2 quart Baker), W-1 1/2-B (1 1/2 quart Saucepan)
The Menu-ettes and Petites.....
- Top-left: W-81-B (1 pint Saucepan), W-82-B (1 1/2 pint Saucepan), W-83-B (6 1/2 inch Skillet)
- Top-right: W-41-B (12 oz), W-43-B (22 oz) both with P-41-PC (Plastic Cover)
- The Bakeware and Misc. (which gives me a potential end date for the pattern)
- Back-left: W-105 (8 cup Teapot), W-103 (3 cup Teapot)
- Back-center: W-309 (9 inch pie plate), W-322 (8 inch Baker), W-35 (Broil and Bake Tray)
- Back-right: W-65-B (2 quart Saucemaker), W-64-B (1 quart Saucemaker)
Not Pictured - W-104 (6 cup teapot) which is still in a box mixed with other things and not labeled so I have not been able to find it.
The P-309 Pie Plate (back center) was released in 1967 while the P-322 Square Baker (middle center) was not released until 1968.
The Electromatics (These give me the beginning date for the pattern)
Back-left: P-12-ES with W-22 Skillet (flat ground W-16), W-6-EP (6 cup Percolator), W-53 (Self Timing Saucepan with flat ground W-4)
Front-center: W-54 (Immersible Warming Tray)
The P-53 Self-Timing Saucepan (right) gives me the beginning date for this pattern, as it was only available in 1963. Granted, the Electromatic Skillet P-12-ES (left) was released in 1962, so it is possible that the pattern was released earlier, but the Saucepan proves that the pattern was in production in '63
There are several other pieces that I know exist, but do not have in my possession for one reason or another. The 4 quart Sauce pot (W-84-B) and Deluxe Tea Kettle (W-57) I purchased were both broken during shipping. I have found every one of the Open Roasters (W-332, W-21 & W-76) as well as the "Well & Tree" Roasting Tray (W-19) and the Loaf Pan (W-315) at one time or another at the Thrift Stores, but each time I found one of these pieces, it had a big chip taken out of the rim, so I left them. I have seen the 8 inch Round Cake dish (W-321) in an antique store, but it was WAY too expensive. There are also 2 stove top Percolators (W-116 & W-119) and the 10 cup Electromatic percolator (W-80-EP). All of them are on the "recall list" because of their epoxied stainless steel rims.
There are several potential pieces that were possibly made during the Wheat Timeline (1962-1969) though none have been confirmed as of yet. These items would include such pieces as the original W-504 & W-508 Beverage Servers from 1965 or the original 10 cup Electromatic Percolator (W-23-EP) which was discontinued in 1966 in lieu of the W-80-EP.
Where is your Corning Ware??
Update: 10/09/2014... Yes, 6 days after writing this post, I found a W-19 "Well & Tree" Roasting Tray....
Update 12/31/2014... More additions to the collection (Santa was kind this year). W-321 cake dish (8 inch round), W-9-B Skillet (9 inch), W-315 Bread Dish and the large W-76-B Open Roaster.