Book Collector’s Guide to Toasters and Accessories , by Helen Greguire (Schroder Publishing, 1997). Color photos.

Gallery/Web site www.toaster.org reflects a fine collection; www.toastercentral.com includes blenders and waffle irons.

NOTE: Many early toasters can still be used, but they should be watched for short circuits or overheating.

FOR SERIOUS COLLECTORS

Pioneer models The earliest examples of the GE D12 sell for about $3,000, a premium for its rarity and importance.

Armstrong table stove Introduced in 1919, it combined with a small bag of groceries to make a complete breakfast: frying bacon on top, poaching eggs in the bottom, and toasting bread in between. It sells for about $50.

“Sweetheart” toaster Universal’s Model E9410 of the mid-1920s was beautiful to behold, with its late Art Nouveau lilt, and was as precise as a Swiss watch in its workings. An example was offered for sale recently at toastercentral.com for $1,250.

TOASTERS THAT ARE STILL HOT

Half-Round Sunbeam T-9 The Art Deco T-9 of the 1930s is a bountiful curve in chrome. It sells for $140 to $350.

Toast-O-Lator Built from 1936 to 1952, the Toast-O-Lator is the best known collectible toaster. One recently sold for $317 on Ebay.

—Julie M. Fenster