Ebay is like the Amazon Rainforest of rare vintage goodies waiting to be rediscovered — there are so many ‘species’ out there still to find. This week, Pam the Adventurer stumbled on what she believes to be a super rare 1958 Gerrity Princess faucet with built-in dishwashing attachments. It was for sale as part of a midcentury woddity wonder kitchen. We’ve never seen one of these before, and even the Ebay seller — a longtime fan of Retro Renovation and avid collector himself — has never run across another one.
Ebay seller rethinking has been collecting bits and pieces of high end, rare and amazing parts to construct the ultimate midcentury kitchen over the years, and is now selling them off as one big wonderful set. While each part of the kitchen is amazing in its own right, the 1958 Gerrity Princess faucet with dishwashing attachments is really something special.
From the Ebay listing:
… A vintage kitchen this over the top could not have a faucet over it’s built in stainless steel sinks. I considered adding a vintage Dishmaster but then found something even more intriguing, and once again, it’s the only one I’ve ever seen. It’s a 1958 Gerrity Princess faucet with built in dishwashing attachments. It is NOS in the original and super cool wooden crate with all instructions and pieces and is in as new condition from 56 years ago. …
The seller was kind enough to send me some additional photos of the faucet, and several of the attached instruction and installation manual. How cool is that?
The instructions for use in the above brochure read:
Operating Instructions
Your Princess Dishwasher has been carefully inspected and tested and will give good service. Follow these instructions:
- Remove white plastic cover. Pour one teaspoon of liquid detergent (not soap) into white detergent container. Fill container with cold water and replace plastic cover.
- Your Princess Dishwasher is now ready for use.
- Turn on the hot water. Turn on the cold water gradually until water coming through the spout is of desired temperature.
- With the white plastic handle in hand, pull ou white diverter control knob. Water now flows through the hose.
- Place your thumb on the white control button for rich, creamy suds, and for a clear sanitary rinse remove your thumb from button.
- Wash glassware, china, and sliver with your nylon brush. Wash pots, pans, etc., with your brass wire brush (optional at extra cost).
- Turn off the water and the diverter control will automatically close. The next time you turn on the water, it will flow through the spout.
Mega thanks to Ebay seller rethinking for allowing us to feature this amazing faucet.
Read about more unusual vintage faucets:
- Dishmaster factory in Mitchell, Indiana — Mom & I take a road trip
- Dishmasters & the American Dream kitchen
- Vintage Magic Queen kitchen faucet — a major new kitchen history discovery
- The 1960s Electro-Sink Center (also with faucet “dishwasher”) is the most hunka hunka of them all
- A special faucet for American brand sinks — designed by Raymond Loewy ?
- Elkay console sink and faucet
- Yes — push button plumbing
- American Standard Midway has some wacky goin’ on, it appears
Mark Huntington says
I also have one still in box,picked up at garage sale. Been trying to find out value of it with no luck. Could you help me out with that? I have no idea what it’s value would be. Thank you.
Pam Kueber says
Hi Mark, what a great find. I don’t do valuations, though…
mike says
I have 2 of these brand new in a box left over from from Frank Lloyd wrights Usonia Historic District. Town of Mount Pleasant, adjacent to the village of Pleasantville, Westchester County, New York.They dont have the wings
Joe Felice says
Looks like those “ears” are just waiting to receive a signal from a satellite to spring into action.
pam kueber says
Yup!
Joe Felice says
What a contraption! It looks like it should be in orbit, and I guess that was the inspiration for a lot of things in the atomic ’50s. People were so inventive and creative in those days. The amount of stuff that came out of that era truly amazes me.
Jacki says
It’s mine now… Bwaaaaahahahaha
Jacki says
I now have the coveted Maltese Falcon of the plumbing world!
Joe Felice says
The holy grail! Houston, we have no problem, except. . . is Pam OK with this?
pam kueber says
you bought the whole kitchen?
Jacki says
LOL. Yes, the whole kitchen and caboodle!
I saw the eBay link on RR and emailed the eBay ad to my husband at work and half jokingly said, “wishful thinking”. He immediately called me and suggested we build our new house around this amazing kitchen. It didn’t take any convincing for me. We both fell in love with this kitchen; ovens, cabinets, one piece stainless counter tops, Revco fridges and yes, the Maltese Falcon (wings and all).
Kate says
Woah! Keep us posted on your remodel! 🙂
pam kueber says
wowowow, congrats!
Jacki says
Pam and Kate, thanks for the congrats. We aren’t moving until Spring so there will be some time in there before we are able to get started. We were already moving out to that part of the country, so the kitchen being in Indiana was somewhat close.
Pam, we need to get started on finding you a Princess of your own that doesn’t have a kitchen attached to it. I’ll start looking right away. :^) I’ll keep you posted.
mike says
It actually was created in the 40,s i have 2 ultra rares.
Kit says
And btw… I’d shatter my right arm for bragging rights for a collection such as yours! To be able to rotate decorative accents on a whim and with change of seasons and moods must be a delightful thing!
pam kueber says
no joking about shattering right arms here! ack!
Kit says
I hope you score this one! Can’t think of a more deserving person to add to their hoa… er,…museu…er…collection!!!
Of course, if you were able to score such a prize, you could actually use it!