Apollo Ware Melmac Dinnerware Alexander Barna

I had to hurry up and tell you about this amazing item being offered at (Markus Data) Dee Dee's Retro Corner on Etsy.  Dee Dee has has come across this fabulous mint in box snack set of melmac cups and snack trays in Apollo Ware.  Clearly designer by Alexander Barna.  First let me start by saying it appears the original price was $4..49--probably back when gas was 15 cents a gallon.  It is now being offered at  $45--right in line with $3.60 in gas I paid at the pump the other day.

What is amazing is that the cups claim to be "dishwasher safe, chip resistant, break resistant" and have a "2 year guarantee."  A far cry from when melmac first came out.  When the big bulky hunks of melmac dishes circa 1948-1952  was going on melmac was said to be "unbreakable" and carried up to a ten year warranty. I guess over time the composition of the melmac changed, and the manufacturers wised up.

Alexander Barna was the designer. Now I've done a lot of research on him but fallen short. There was a designer of all things from Hungary originally named Sandor Barna but legally changed his name to Alexander. He has ties to St Louis but I have yet to confirm or deny this indeed was the melmac man.   I do know that the Apollo Ware line is something I don't see that often, and sure as heck never see it in it's original box.  Some mid century modern melamine dinnerware lover is really going to love this.

Melmac Center 1957 Plastic Fantastic Dinnerware

Melmac Dinnerware Debunked! 

The following post about the Melmac Center (with all the lovely Melamine Dinnerware) has been updated, thanks to expertise of fellow Plastics Researchers! Robin Thorne aka Mr. Melmac has almost identified all the lines. Christopher McPherson has confirmed the date of the below ad to be circa 1957. How exciting for us! View the updates here on the Melmac Center Post.

Orange Toaster Kitchen Plastic Fantastic

Hello, what's this? An orange toaster from Hunter's Kitchen on Etsy.

Orange is making a comeback. I wasn't ever really a fan of orange, until now.  I grew up in the 1970's and Mom really overdid the orange-lime-yellow thing. I guess that's why I thought orange was "gross." Of course I was still in shock from the old 1960's kitchen we had which was olive-brown-drab so the orange should have been a nice change for me.....but for some reason I didn't like orange.  Now it's sort of growing on me. I especially like the orange and white combinations.

Orange and white thermal cups by Olive and Frances on Etsy!

Orange plastic dish rack from Etsy seller WaikikiKitsch

It's no surprise that everyone loves Ashton Kutcher since his big takeover on Two and a Half Men.  Of course you may remember "That Seventies Show" and perhaps if we asked Kitty Forman she wouldn't mind having these items in her retro kitchen.

Retro timer puts a little orange into your life. Get it at ThisandThat4U on Etsy!

What do you think ?  Is Orange in, or out?