Just when I feel like I’m getting a big jaded — as if “I’ve seen everything, yawn” — a fabulous reader sends me an email and photos and slaps me upside the head with: WOAH, LOOK AT THIS! Yes, mega props to reader Tami and woah, look at what she has spotted now: A vintage Magic Queen kitchen faucet. Never seen here before. Kinda like the original 1948 Dishmaster, but more squat. More photos of the Magic Queen faucet and Tami’s note, including where she spotted it for sale, follows –>Hi Pam –
I went to the mid-century mecca of all antique malls today – Midway Antique Mall in Sacramento, CA. They never fail to have tons of drool worthy mid century items and furniture, although it can be quite spendy. Today, two things caught my eye. OK, more than two… I lied. And I am pre-begging your forgiveness for not snapping any photos of the 1950’s Sears corner sectional complete with built inmarbleized corner table in the back corner, that was still wearing its original and pristine “Spring Violet” frieze upholstery. Yes, real original lavender purple frieze. Not pink. Not salmon. Not aqua. Not gray. Not blue. Not green. It was truly lavender purple. To. Die. For. Provided you had $2,895 falling out of your pocket to spend on it which also included the matching marbleized round coffee table, one matching end table, and the two light tulip lamp that was sitting on the built in table. All were acquired from the original owners and are being sold only as a set.As I wandered, I came across what the area where they are setting up a permanent kitchen display using Youngstown cabinets (swoon!). The sink cabinet had a “Magic Queen” faucet, which looks to be the same basic layout as a vintage Dishmaster. I took some photos of it, in case readers want another name to watch out for when kitchen faucet shopping. It is pretty fantabulous!
Hope you enjoy!
10 gold stars for you today, Tami. Many thanks!
Now that I knew to look for this, I found one other example – in this photo on flickr, a wall-hung Magic Queen kitchen faucet. That’s all I could find searching online for other example of this faucet. I guessing: A rare wonderful oddity, for sure.
Click here to oooh and ahh at all the wonderful oddities — “woddities” — from midcentury America.
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Mid Century was such an exciting innovative time! We need that spirit now, we really do. Where are our new and amazing ideas for convenience, beauty and fun? I really love those little bitty dishwashers in the woddities section. Anybody know how many dishes could fit in there? One meal’s worth for a family of four? Five? Make it today to Energy Star standards.
The picture of the lady sweeping in her heels in the Leigh ad and the one of the lady working her GE Drapes in heels and a crinoline are great! Do you think anyone really cleaned wearing heels? How about bending over to pick up things in a crini?
I want that lavendar set Tami is talking about, can you imagine? The whole living room, all in lavendar and marble?
Elaine – I was really guilt-ridden when I wrote to Pam for not taking photos of the lavender sofa set. I’m on vacation this next week, so if I get a chance, I’ll run back over there (1.5 hours drive) and take some, it really was amazing.
I should mention too, Midway now has a dealer who has a mega stash of mid century stereos and television sets for sale, that was really fun to see also!
I’d feel like Queen for a Day if I had a Magic Queen faucet.
Thanks, Tami and Pam, for the enlightenment.
That is an awesome design! It looks like it carried over some streamlined Deco; perhaps this was geared to people that made it through the Depression. In any case, what a great find!
Glurk! That was the sound of my magic queen love hitting the page.
That is perhaps even more glorious than a Dishmaster!
I’ve longed for a vintage dishmaster, but who wouldn’t just as soon be a queen with a swell little majah fellow to help with dishes?
Is it really for sale?
I’ve been meaning to check that place out someday.
Swooon………
Chutti – I don’t believe it is for sale. Nothing in that section had a price tag, and I think they are setting up for a permanent display. On the left side of the display is the little round booth breakfast nook, not pictured.
I’m now wondering if they are going to hook it up to plumbing, because if they do, I’ll ask Mark (the owner) if I can do some dishes! Can you imagine, *wanting* to do dishes? But I think that is the magical effect of the Magic Queen faucet!
If you are close enough to go there, hang on to your wallet and go. It is a great place just to see all the amazing stuff they have.
T3, if they are interested in selling the faucet, I am interested in buying it. For my archive of woddities. When I die I will donate it to the Smithsonian or MOMA. I am serious. Can you let me know what he says???
Pam, I’ll certainly ask Mark….and hey, even if it is not for sale, who knows what else he may have stashed that is…..I’ll let you know what he says 🙂
Thank you!!! Let him know it would be going to a historical cause!
“Just when I feel like I’m getting a big jaundiced”—did you mean “jaded”? I hope you don’t have jaundice. 😉
yes, “jaded” !!! thanks for correcting my vocab, i was stretching for that word! will correct!
That’s like the ’57 Chevy of faucets, way cool
Wow, it looks more substantial than my Dishmaster! Jealous…..
Want! Want! Want!!!
Thanks for once again pointing out something I need that I until now I had no idea existed!
That thing is majestic, plain and simple. LOVE IT.
LOVE that beautiful chromed masterpiece. Sorry for the late post but I just got power and communication back after the mid-atlantic storms blasted away at our area this past Friday night. I don’t know why but that faucet looks so familiar and I don’t mean in a “Dishmaster-way”. I keep thinking I’ve seen one in an old movie or tv show. The handles seem to be what brings that to mind most. Is anyone else feeling a sense of “I know you” about this unit?
I see a magic queen faucet on eBay July 15 2012
I’d be happy with a Dishmaster! You should see the hard water stained faucet in my fixer upper.
Hard water stains be gone…dawn dish soap half fill a spray bottle and fill rest of the way with white vinegar. Gently mix and spray, leave on for some time..an hour…rub with scrubber rinse..repeat as often as necessary to get it clean..
You just knew the Merm would use one (see video) – and it even turns into roses!
I remember this at my house when I was just a kid. You put dish soap in it somewhere 🙂
Yup, in the back. Like a Dishmaster.
Someone should scoop this up for only $200!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Orange-Dishmaster-Imperial-Four-Sink-w-Faucet-Enameled-Cast-Iron-4-/261080270674?pt=US_Faucets&hash=item3cc998c752
There is one for sale for $50 on eBay right now. The seller reports it “Needs a rebuild”. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1940-50-MAGIC-QUEEN-FAUCET-LIKE-DISHMASTER-VINTAGE-/130904703824?ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123
Hi……..Was wondering if anyone has seen a Magic Queen faucet for sale??????? I’ve been doing my kitchen back to the 50’s and is it so cooooooool….. thanks, Bonnie
Not lately. You will need to watch ebay and etsy like a hawk… it make take years, if you ever even find one.
See our category Kitchen Help / Faucets for all our research on retro style sinks and faucets — https://retrorenovation.com/category/kitchen/faucets/
Don’t know if anyone is still looking for a faucet like this or not. I am helping my cousin with her kitchen. She inherited one with her last home and loved it so much she just bought a new one for this house. Thought I’d pass along this vintage looking model.
Imperial Four Dishmaster 2-Hdl Kitchen Faucet Chrome
http://www.warrenpipe.com/hardware-store/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=16796
Editorial from the listing…
Our Price : $209.99 EA
Imperial Four Dishmaster 2-Hdl Kitchen Faucet Chrome (44000176)
(Item in stock! ) 2-Handle deck-mount or wall-mount with sprayer. Hot soapy water at the touch of a button, then simply release for clear water rinse. Scrape, wash & rinse, all in one easy motion.
There are also more contemporary design versions available, prices on all ranged from $250-$300.
Yes, we have written extensively about Dishmasters. See these stories: https://retrorenovation.com/search-results/?q=dishmaster