Some toasters were designed elegantly. When we cleaned out the old homestead, there was on just like it still in daily use. We threw it out [ouch!] b/c the cord looked like a big hazard.
Sunbeam model T-20 automatic toaster
Beautiful chrome body with incised deco design and bakelite base. It's automatic beyond belief! No levers to push -- no popping or banging. Just drop in the bread and the Sunbeam turns on the current and lowers the bread silently. When perfectly toasted, the current turns off and the toast comes up silently.
With "Radiant Control", the toasting is always the same no matter what kind of bread you use. The heat radiated from the surface of the bread activates the exclusive thermostat. That's why you always get the same uniform golden toast you want whether the slices or moist or dry, cold or warm, thick or thin.
Very popular as wedding gifts when it debuted in 1949. Slots are a little wider than usual. Cleaned and adjusted and in very good condition.
Sunbeam Corporation
Chicago U.S.A. Toronto, Canada.
110-120 Volts 1275 Watts
$198
Hoping you might come out of hibernation to join this thread. ;-D
This model was in introduced in 1947, built to last, signed and serial numbered, and used continuously for ten or twenty or fifty years by American families. Think of all those GIs, home from the war, marrying their sweethearts and starting families. It was very popular as a wedding gift, and at $23.50, it wasn't cheap.
Toasters were marketed not only for breakfast, but also for entertaining -- a toast party to watch CBS Playhouse on TV.
But, when the Toast-R-Oven hit the market, most of these "old fashioned" Toastmasters were stored away in the attic or basement, still in working order. (And greasy and full of crumbs, I might add.)
The original advertising features the Superflex toast timer which compensates for a wide range of voltage variations automatically; the bakelite "Easy-Lift" handles are large, smooth and curved to fit the finger tips, always cool to the touch; and, the Pop-open with hinged door on the bottom makes for easy crumb removal and cleaning.
The heavy steel case is plated in highly polished chromium. The fittings are bakelite. The control knob allows a range from light to dark.
This toaster has been disassembled, cleaned, repaired if necessary, reassembled and tested. It is ready to do just one thing.... make toast. It is in good condition with only minor cosmetic flaws -- a Toaster Central "best value".
Toastmaster Products Division
McGraw Electric Company, Elgin, Illinois.
$98