Receta In The Beginning - Corning Ware 2nd Generation BPE (Before P# Era - 1960-1961)
It's time for Act II of Corning Ware's first Era (AKA: Fin Lid Era), which encompasses 1958 -
1961. The first "Act" involved the embossed
bottom pieces from Generation 1 from 1958-59. The second Act encompasses the blurry blue ink generation (Gen 2) produced from 1960 thru 1961. This generation also includes a new percolator design, but more on that later. Let's go all the way back to the beginning...... (this is a recap of the "In The Beginning - Corning Ware 1st Generation BPE" post)
In the beginning of the beginning there were no P, B, W, N, A, C, S, DC,
F, G, U or L model numbers.. You see, Corning was unsure how well
their cookware would be received by the American housewife, so they made
a limited number of pieces for the initial release in the fall of 1958
to test the waters..... These would be the 1 quart, 1 1/2 quart and 1
3/4 quart saucepan with fin lids (similar to the Pyrex FlameWare design)
along with the 10 inch skillet topped with the infamous pyroceram lid
adorn with more cornflowers. With only 4 pieces, it was pretty easy to
keep track of what was what, so no model numbers were really needed at
this point.
Corning Ware ended up being such a hot seller that, by Christmas, retailers were
screaming for more. So, in spring of 1959 Corning unveiled 2 additional
skillets (9 inch and 7 inch with fin lids), a 2 1/2 quart Saucepan and the famed 8 cup & 6 cup pyroceram lipped percolators (which would later be referred to as P-108 and P-106).
All these 1st Generation pieces, percolators aside, had an embossed stamp on the
bottom stating either "Corning Ware" with a volume measurement or, in
the case of the skillets, width in inches while others simply had "Corning Pyroceram" embossed on the bottom with no other identifying marks other than mold numbers for QC purposes.
Unlike the 1st Generation, Generation 2 saw ALL the pieces being produced at the same time.
- 1 Quart
- 1 1/2 Quart
- 1 3/4 Quart
- 2 1/2 Quart
- 7 inch Skillet
- 9 inch Skillet
- 10 inch Skillet with Pyroceram lid
It should be noted, that Trefoil was released in 1960 as well. Thus, some of the first Trefoil pieces (1960-61) have blurry blue ink marks on the bottom, instead of P-series model numbers. These pieces should be paired with Fin Handle Pyrex lids as well.
It was in the Fall of 1960 that the original P-108 & P-106 Percolators were removed from the market.
It had come to Corning's attention that pyroceram lip was a weak point in their percolator design... Thus, the 1st edition of the P-119 and P-116 with a stainless steel rim were released. The 1st generation of the P-119 & P-116 can be identified by the design of the handle.
The stainless steel rim was glued onto the pyroceram body, then the handle was bolted to the rim.
These bolts were covered by a small piece of black plastic. The Black Starburst 9 cup percolator (P-129) is designed this way.
This handle would be updated in 1963 (2nd Generation) though the model numbers on these two pots would not change.
Where is your Corning Ware??