I came across this toaster on Instagram. I had to know more. The person who posted it… it was just a random photo of content for them. However, through the power of reverse image search, I tracked it down to the Henry Ford Museum.
What I Love – We got Snoopy waffle irons in the 1990s, but I have never seen this 1970s toaster. Until the 1990s, I didn’t think there had been much for kitchen appliances with cartoon characters. This is a Proctor-Silex MODEL T621WA toaster. I can’t find another one beyond this example at the Henry Ford Museum.
What Can I Find – Proctor-Silex MODEL T621WD and T621WF. These two models are similar and easy to find. Now, not all of them are similar, since I think there were some cosmetic updates through the years, yet the model didn’t change.
What I Can’t Find – I couldn’t find informative sites about toaster collecting, at least, not of this late era. Antique toasters seems to be where the interest is. The Toaster Museum doesn’t even list Proctor-Silex. When ever diving into the world of other collectibles, it sometimes makes me appreciate how legible and up-to-date of a site I have. If anyone else wants to reach out on Facebook pages for more information about this toaster, I’d love to know what you come up with!
I also tried looking up Proctor-Silex specific catalogs of this era with not a lot of luck. Also poked around some old department store catalogs without seeing anything. I can’t stay long on old catalog sites because they’re very addictive to my vintage loving brain.
Vintage Mickey Mouse Toasters. Why am I looking for that?! If they can sell it with Mickey, they might have tried it with Snoopy. I don’t see anything of that 1970s vintage on Google Images. Everything “Vintage” seems to be modern-retro 1950s throwback styling.
What I’m guessing? I don’t know if this was released to the public? I’d love to know if you have one of these in your collection or know of someone who has one.
The only thing we have to go on is this ONE photo. There’s not a lot of data from the Museum. All I have is my knowledge of Peanuts and what I can see.
Where’s the UFS copyright? Maybe a Schulz signature? Those would be right there under Snoopy in the grass. It’s possible there’s something on the bottom, too.
“Happiness is a Snoopy Toaster” I feel is a weird phrase. I’d think that was good for marketing, but on the toaster? I think I’d say “Happiness is hot toast” or, for me, “Happiness is light-medium browned toast still soft in the center with melted butter to the edges with cinnamon-sugar on top.” What would you have on the side of your Happiness toaster?
The toaster does look used. The image of Snoopy looks a little worn in spots. Are there crumbs inside? Did it make any toast? Was it just passed around for an idea of what could be?
While I couldn’t find any toasters with the same bold faceplate, that might not be that strange. I can imagine the moment these appliances stopped being useful, they were tossed out. Plus, any bread bag that gets stuck to the side of this toaster while heating is going to leave a permanent mark. With so many upgrades to toaster technology, safety and styling, it’s hard to imagine if many production models would have survived.
What If??? Who else had Snoopy bread-related items in the early 1970s? Did you say Interstate Brands, Butternut, Mrs. Karl’s, Weber’s, etc? Maybe they were planning something together and it never got made. Or it did get made and this is all that’s left.
Conclusion, I don’t know what this is. What do you think? Should I try and make my own from a T621WD? As Benjamin asked in the Discord – does it make a Snoopy image on the toast? If you find some info, let us know!
Now, who wants cinnamon-raisin toast?
