It Was All The Rage In The '50s — Now It's A Valuable Thrift Store Item You'd Be Lucky To Find

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Thrift stores are a godsend for those of us on a tight budget — but they're also becoming known as treasure chests for hidden vintage finds. Thrifting can uncover rare old collectibles that you can keep for your growing trove or maybe even resell for a tidy profit. Pink Duchess crockery from the 1950s is arguably one of the most valuable vintage Pyrex pieces to look out for at thrift shops and estate sales. The worth of this cookware is nothing to laugh at if you're lucky enough to find a piece in excellent condition.

Most of us have heard rumors about really valuable Pyrex cookware. However, when you research finds online — on, say, secondhand marketplaces like Etsy or eBay — you'll quickly learn that prices hover around the $10 mark for most patterns. However, Pink Duchess shows us that rumors can hold a kernel of truth. Pyrex's Pink Duchess casserole dish proves that you shouldn't overlook small thrift store finds — they can be more valuable than you think. A single unpackaged dish in preloved but good condition can sell for a few thousand dollars today. A new bowl in its original box with additional trappings could go for a staggering $5,000 or more.

When it comes to vintage dishware you should always snag from thrift stores, anything branded Pyrex is hard to beat. Over the years, Pyrex has released cookware in so many patterns and colors that some series and editions are now highly collectible. These durable dishes also stand the test of time — they're made of thermal shock-resistant glass that was once so revolutionary that it received a patent. Pretty Pyrex cookware boasting premium price tags is a common sight on shelves at antique malls, but you can sometimes find rare Pyrex cookware — like the Pink Duchess casserole set — at thrift stores for bargain prices. Keep your eyes peeled next time you're out shopping for second-hand finds!

Pink Duchess is a two-quart casserole dish produced by Pyrex in the late '50s. The set included a bowl, a transparent glass lid with a knob, and a warming stand. The reason this particular dish is so rare today is that Pyrex never produced it for general sale. Instead, it was given as a gift to party hostesses through the direct-selling company Stanley Home Products. The casserole dish is soft pink with a 22k gold floral design around the outside. Don't mix up this pattern with Pink Stems or Pink Gooseberry — two other cute, popular baby pink Pyrex casserole dishes. They feature white, not gold, floral borders.