Vintage Everlast Forged Aluminum #1038 Serving Bowl w/ Lid & Pyrex #465 Insert

Description: Vintage Everlast Forged Aluminum #1038 Round Serving Dish with Lid and Pyrex #465 Bowl Insert. Measurements: The forged aluminum bowl is 2-1/2" in Height (to Rim, 3-1/2" Height with Lid) x 6-3/4" Width. The Pyrex #465 bowl insert is one pint (16 ounces) in capacity and is 2-1/8" in Height by 5-1/2" Width. Condition: Excellent for it's 60+ year age. Signs of prior use exist. See photos. Company History: In the early 1920s, Louis Schnitzer and his brother-in-law, Nathan Gelfman, both experienced metalworkers, created a silver housewares business in New York City called Western Silver Works, Inc., where they polished and plated silver. By 1930, Schnitzer and Gelfman began producing silver- and chrome-plated items under the name Western Silver Novelty Company. However, soon after, the business was affected by the decline of buyers for silver products during the Great Depression. Therefore, Schnitzer and Gelfman decided to adapt, attempting to work with the modern and more affordable metal, aluminum. In 1932, they formed Everlast Metal Products Corporation and began producing high-quality, hand-forged aluminum giftware. Hammered aluminum giftware products were, at once, both “old” and “new.” In an era of growing uniformity via factory production, the “made by hand” aspect of these products held an aesthetic appeal for consumers, while their aluminum material made them seem decidedly modern. Through innovative manufacturing and creative marketing, Everlast was able to expand its “Forged Giftware” product line. Instead of creating new product forms each year, the company combined new handles and design motifs with previous years’ product forms to create “new” pieces. This cost-effective method for product development enabled Everlast to introduce new items regularly while also keeping up with rapidly changing design trends. When the United States entered World War II in 1942, the production of aluminum for consumer goods was halted to focus on the production of military equipment. While some aluminum houseware companies struggled to adapt, Everlast rose to the challenge, securing government contracts and upgrading their facilities to produce military equipment under the name Browning Precision Tool Co. Throughout the war, Everlast created partnerships with various businesses in the floral, woodworking, and ceramic industries, enabling the company to remain in the public awareness, despite not producing consumer goods itself. As the war was winding down, Everlast turned its focus back to manufacturing consumer products. The upgrades made to its facilities during wartime put the company in a better position to manufacture mass-produced giftware in a more cost-effective manner – just in time for increased consumer spending during a time of post-war prosperity. Unfortunately, despite the initial post-war momentum for aluminum housewares, the industry and company struggled throughout the 1950s, experiencing setbacks that ultimately led to its demise. The first blow to the Everlast company came in 1951 when the Korean War initiated a restriction on the use of aluminum for consumer goods once again. This also began a new era of modern housewares, especially ceramics and plastics, which were colorful and lacked ornamentation. Thus, aluminum began to be seen as old-fashioned and outdated. Despite several attempts to reinvent its products, Everlast floundered, failing to revive consumer interest in aluminum housewares. Like other manufacturers of the time, the company also chose to forego quality in favor of machine-made, mass-produced goods. This ultimately over-saturated the housewares market and crushed any interest in “hand-forged” household items. After nearly thirty years in business, Louis Schnitzer and Nathan Gelfman closed Everlast in 1961.

Price: 15.99 USD

Location: Evergreen, Colorado

End Time: 2024-11-29T08:34:05.000Z

Shipping Cost: 10.5 USD