USA Ekcology Silver Beauty T120-12
This is yard sale vintage. I did not own it 30 years ago. They were well-used before I acquired them and used even more in my kitchen. Actually, my mother might have given me this muffin pan in the late 70s....not sure. But, if so, she found it at a yard sale. You can read more about it here, an etsy site. She is selling two for $19.95. I don't remember the price, but I can guarantee you that I did not pay more than $1 for this, possibly less.
The pan is from the familiar Ekco brand. I am beyond impressed with the deep embossed letters on my muffin pan, unlike the stickers we peel off our pans or the slight engraving that we might find, engraving that is so shallow it can wear off easily.
When I use items that are so ancient, well-used, I wonder about the person who acquired the item first, wonder who she was, who were the children that ate the foodstuffs, muffins or cupcakes, in this case. My mind wanders to the loving mother and her bright-eyed children. Sue, I believe, shared the story of an ancient celery crisper that came from the home of a woman she knew well.
By spending $1 or less, I have (1) a quality product, (2) I spent less money, (3), it did not have to be produced, (4) it did not use more natural resources, (5) did not have to be shipped, (6) supported an underground economy. This is all green and frugal, appealing to my parsimony.
Your turn
Have you ever seen this particular pan? Own one? Or, any pan so distinctively marked? Do you ever wonder about former owners of vintage or merely pre-loved kitchen or farm items? Can you share the most nostalgic item you own in your kitchen? There is bound to be more good stories amongst my readers.
