Pyrex Lucky in Love is a rare and valuable piece of vintage Pyrex glassware from the 1940s and 1950s. It was produced by the Corning Glass Works company and features a pink glass mixing bowl decorated with various symbols and images associated with love and romance.
Some of the key reasons why original Pyrex Lucky in Love bowls are so rare and hard to find today include:
Limited Production
Compared to other Pyrex glassware designs that were mass produced for decades, the Lucky in Love pattern was only made for a short period of time in the 1940s and 1950s. Exact production dates are uncertain, but it is believed Pyrex only made this pattern for 3-5 years at most. This makes authentic pieces much more scarce on the secondary collectibles market.
Fragility of Material
Vintage Pyrex is made from borosilicate glass, which is more durable and heat-resistant than regular soda-lime glass. However, it can still break, chip or get scratched with improper use over many decades. Many of the original Lucky in Love mixing bowls have been damaged or destroyed since their original purchase.
Small Original Market Share
The Lucky in Love pattern was just one of hundreds of different decorative Pyrex lines made in the mid-20th century. Other patterns like Snowflake, Butterprint and Pink Gooseberry were far more widely produced and sold at the time. Lucky in Love had a relatively small original market share compared to other major Pyrex lines.
Appeal to Collectors
Vintage Pyrex, and particularly rare pieces like Lucky in Love, have an enormous appeal to modern collectors. This has greatly increased demand and made remaining authentic specimens much more valuable. Broken or damaged examples are often repaired or restored to usable condition – further diminishing the supply of pristine original bowls.
What Makes the Lucky in Love Pattern so Iconic and Unique?
There are several notable features that make Lucky in Love one of the most famous and well-loved Pyrex patterns:
Color
The bright pink coloration is very distinctive and eye-catching. This was an unusually bold color choice for utilitarian kitchenware in the 1940s and 50s. The vivid hue has become closely associated with the pattern.
Decorations
Delicate decorations on Lucky in Love bowls include different colored hearts, flower/leaf motifs, and graphic symbols like doves, horseshoes, stars, moons and four-leaf clovers. These represent classic love/romance imagery that makes the meaning of the pattern name obvious.
Lettering
The words “Lucky in Love” are boldly written in a flowing cursive script font. This distinctive lettering is a key identifier of authentic pieces. The lettering also emphasizes the romantic theme.
Shape
Lucky in Love mixing bowls have a round shape with slightly flared, gently ruffled rims. This graceful silhouette differs from straight-sided utilitarian mixing bowls and further accentuates the feminine, loving aura of the dishes.
When Was the Lucky in Love Pattern Produced?
As mentioned, exact production dates for Lucky in Love are uncertain. But based on collectors’ information, advertisements, catalog listings and other archives, the timeline can be roughly established:
Earliest Evidence: 1947
The earliest known evidence of Lucky in Love is an advertisement in the May 1947 issue of Seventeen magazine showing the 247 custard cup and 441 pitcher. This indicates the pattern was likely introduced sometime around 1947.
Major Popularity: early-to-mid 1950s
Lucky in Love is featured and pictured in Pyrex catalogs from the early 1950s, suggesting it was widely available during this booming post-war era. The pattern seems to have peaked in popularity in the first half of the 1950s.
Latest Evidence: 1959
The last known Pyrex catalog listing for Lucky in Love pieces is in 1959. By the early 1960s, most of the Pyrex line was redesigned in the “Eyes” and “Dots” patterns. This suggests Lucky in Love bowed out around 1960.
Total Years of Production: roughly 1947-1960
Based on currently available information, experts believe Lucky in Love had a relatively brief production window of only about 12-15 years at most.
What Pieces Were Made in the Lucky in Love Pattern?
Lucky in Love was produced in a variety of glassware pieces, mainly kitchen mixing bowls and storage containers. Known examples include:
| 201 1⁄2-pint bowl |
| 202 1-pint bowl |
| 203 1 1⁄2-pint bowl |
| 205 3-pint bowl |
| 206 4-pint bowl |
| 207 1 1⁄2-quart bowl |
| 208 2-quart bowl |
| 209 4-quart bowl |
| 210 4 1⁄2-quart bowl |
| 211 5-quart bowl |
| 212 3-quart bowl |
| 214 8-quart bowl |
| 215 10-quart bowl |
| 216 12-quart bowl |
| 221 6-quart bowl |
| 402 refrigerator set (pitured) |
| 403 refrigerator set (pitured) |
| 404 refrigerator set (pitured) |
| 405 refrigerator set (pitured) |
| 247 1-cup custard cups |
| 441 1-quart pitcher |
| 442 1 1⁄2-quart pitcher |
| 443 2-quart pitcher |
The mixing bowls range from very small 1⁄2-pint size up to large 12-quart capacity. Refrigerator container sets included small stacking containers with lids. Other items like the pitchers allowed coordinating serving pieces for the pattern.
What Are the Rarest Lucky in Love Pieces?
Some Lucky in Love pieces are considerably more rare and valuable than others. The most highly sought after items include:
402 Refrigerator Set
The 402 fridge set included 1⁄2-pint, 1-pint and 1 1⁄2 pint containers with coordinating lids and rack. Very few complete examples exist today. Individual pieces typically sell for $50-$300 each. Complete sets can fetch over $1000.
247 Custard Cups
These petite 1-cup custard cups with graceful ruffled rims are extremely rare. They were more delicate and susceptible to damage. Remaining intact specimens can sell for $300-$500 each.
Large Bowl Sizes
The biggest mixing bowl sizes, like the 12-quart, 10-quart, 8-quart and 6-quart are rarely found in undamaged condition. These largest bowls sell for $200-$400+ when found complete with no repairs.
216 12-Quart Bowl
The mammoth 12-quart Lucky in Love mixing bowl is the holy grail for most collectors. It is the largest piece made in the pattern and is nearly impossible to find without damage or restoration. Pristine examples easily fetch $500-$1000.
How Much are Lucky in Love Pieces Worth?
Lucky in Love values can vary tremendously based on size, piece type, condition and completeness. Typical market prices are:
Small Bowls and Pitchers: $20-$75
The smallest bowls (1⁄2-pint to 2-quart size) and the standard 1-quart and 1 1⁄2-quart pitchers are relatively easy to find. Values start around $20-30 and top out around $60-75 for pristine examples.
Medium Bowls: $60-$150
The workhorse medium mixing bowl sizes like 4-quart, 5-quart and 6-quart have good availability. Expect to pay $60-100 for pieces in very good shape, up to $150 for mint condition with no flaws.
Large Bowls and Rare Pieces: $150-$1000+
Larger bowls, refrigerator sets, and custard cups quickly escalate in value. Pristine specimens with original lids and no damage can sell for several hundred to over $1000 dollars for the rarest pieces like the 12-quart bowl.
Condition is Critical
For most Lucky in Love collectors, condition is king. Chips, hairlines, cracks, paint loss and other flaws can quickly drop values. Minor flaws reduce prices by 25-50%. Heavily damaged or incomplete examples may only sell for $20-40 regardless of scarcity.
Where to Find Lucky in Love Pieces for Sale
For those wishing to add this iconic pattern to their Pyrex collection, the hunt is still on to find authentic Lucky in Love pieces. Places to search include:
eBay
Vintage Pyrex is regularly sold on eBay. Search for active listings under Pyrex Lucky in Love, checking for newly listed items frequently. Be wary of reproduced pieces and carefully inspect photos for authenticity.
Etsy
Etsy has many Pyrex resellers. Search Etsy shops using keywords like “vintage Pyrex pink” and “Lucky in Love” to uncover people selling pieces from their collections.
Facebook Groups
Join social media groups like “Pink Pyrex, Pink Gooseberry & Lucky in Love” devoted to collectors of these patterns. Members often post photos of Pyrex available for sale or trade.
Other Online Marketplaces
Ruby Lane, Mercari and replacement.com are popular online shops to browse for vintage Pyrex like Lucky in Love. Use their search features to find listings.
Local Antique Stores
Check independent antique stores, antique malls, flea markets and vintage sellers in your area. You may uncover Lucky in Love treasures mixed in with their glassware inventory.
Collector Friends
Connect with other vintage Pyrex collectors at clubs, conventions or online forums. Getting to know active collectors can provide leads on upcoming estate sales or personal sales.
Spotting Fakes and Reproductions
Given the high value of authentic Lucky in Love, enthusiastic collectors should be aware of how to spot fakes and reproductions:
Bright Coloring
Later reproduction pieces often have noticeably brighter, bolder pink coloring versus the subtler, pale pink of genuine 1940s-50s examples. Fluorescent pinks are a warning sign.
Artificial Aging
Fakes may be artificially “aged” with paint worn off, light scratches or intentionally dulled finishes. Compare to reference photos of undisputed originals.
Letter Styles
Anything other than the specific “Lucky in Love” flowing cursive lettering could indicate a reproduction. Verify font matches genuine pieces.
Manufacturer Marks
Authentic Pyrex from that era is marked with ink stamps like “Pyrex” and the glass color code. Later pieces may have only paper labels instead.
Quality of Decals
Reproduction decals are often of noticeably poorer quality than originals – colors bleed together, lines are blurred or hazier. Examine carefully.
Conclusions
For vintage Pyrex enthusiasts, few patterns are more beloved and sought-after than Lucky in Love. Production was tragically short-lived, making clean, undamaged examples a prized rarity. As popularity grows, fakes proliferate and legitimate pieces become ever-pricier. But devoted collectors remain hopeful the right pink bowl waits out there with their name on it. The chase for their own Lucky in Love lives on.