Griswold “Symbol” cookware — designed by famed industrial designer Peter Muller Munk circa 1964: I believeĀ this might well be the most beautiful mid-century modern cookware ever made. Up until two weeks ago, I didn’t even know it existed. And now, I didn’t score just vintage — I scored New Old Stock Mint in Box eye-poppingĀ orange dutch oven and two-quart saucepan perfection.Ā Love fest ‘o artsy fartsy photos — and then, the scanned brochure — follow.Ā
Peter Muller-Munk, industrial designer
The Griswold Symbol cookware line was designed by Peter Muller-Munk. I had never heard of him before reading this. Indeed, he led one of the top-10 industrial design firms in the country in the postwar years. Muller-MunkĀ was trained as a silversmith — so these pots and pans must have been a particular labor of love. Since the postage indicia on my box is dated Dec. 19, 1964, I will surmise that the Griswold Symbol line was released in 1964. That’s just three years before Muller-Munk’s death. That means he would have been designing them when he was at the peak of his abilities. (I do believe we get better with age!) Of course, he also had a large firm by then — around 40 people, helping. Note: The Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, where Muller-Munk’s firm was based, will feature an exhibition on his work in 2015. I already contacted them to see if they have intrest in featuring my NOS lovelies — wouldn’t that be fabulous!
I wonder why there do not seem to be more of these around. Golly, they are smashing.
“Cook’s Tour of America’s most modern cookware”
Seriously, prepare your eyeballs. I got the good camera out, sought the light, then adjusted the digis in Lightroom, even, to try and ensure that the photos captured the beauty of the rich orange enameled lids. The pans are cast aluminum.
To see the photos enlarged on your screen, just click on them, they should double in size so you can feast your eyes:
Note: The box was sent to a buyer in Hometown, Illinois. Which really exists. š
And you gotta love the typography as well:
Pretty, huh?So now, onto my scans of the little brochure…
Available with a turquoise lid, too
There are a few of these Griswold Symbol pots on ebay right now — one with a turquoise lid, too.
ByĀ the time this cookware was introduced, the famed Griswold manufacturing entity and brand was owned by Textron, a conglomerate that still exists today. The Textron logo is shown on the penultimate page of the brochure, in fact. I would do more research … but I’m clearing the decks so’s I can makeĀ The Last Roadtrip to World of Tile.Ā I would love to find out more about this cookware line!
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Diane Bush says
I think they are fantastic! …but please don’t use them for food. Aluminum cookware has been linked to Alzheimers…
pam kueber says
Everyone should do their own research on this issue…
Joe Felice says
Sounds like Pam is becoming a lawyer. LOL I have not used aluminum cookware since, but, since that was in my childhood, I suppose whatever damage was going to be done is done. Now, give me a minute. . . What were we talking about again? LOL Just today in the paper, Dr. Oz says that Teflon causes cancer. Now THAT may be something that all of us need to worry about.
pam kueber says
I am not a lawyer. Nor am I a scientist – that’s why I advise consulting with real ones.
There is a lot of junk science on the www etc
Rom says
I love the fact that those new colors look amazing, it is a stark contract from what we see in today’s modern world with simple one tone colors. I am enjoying the look on this very much, very beautiful and elegant
Kit says
Till! “Till you came into my life!” Sorry, I am always doing that.
Kit says
HUH! So many things that I didn’t know I needed you came into my life! Loving it!
pam kueber says
yup. this one me too!
Joe Felice says
What beautiful cookware. The handles are not only stylish, but also ergonomic. I’m wondering if they are too tall to store the lids upside-down in the pan, though. I have never seen or heard of this cookware. All I recall is Club Aluminum. It seemed EVERYbody HAD to have Club. I remember my mom’s saving up for a complete set when we lived in Montgomery, and how excited she was to get it. (Oh, yeah, for our younger devotees out there: People in those days actually saved for things they wanted, and lay-away was very popular. It was free, and they’d keep the stuff until you paid it off.)
Kate says
As a ‘younger devotee’ I’d like to remark that some of us still do actually save for things we want before buying them. My hubby and I do this as do many of our friends. š
Mary Elizabeth says
I never saw these pans in the 1960s. In the 1970s, I had Club Aluminum in Harvest Gold. Yes, I did save up for it (each piece was open stock, as I recall). And I do remember that Green Stamps were involved in some of my cookware! I still have some of the saver booklets.
Amy says
Luscious! Must have!
Lori Cannizzaro says
Oops! I take it back – in close up I can see the ’64. They’re still ahead of their time!
Lori again
Lori Cannizzaro says
Thanks for this great info!
Are you sure that they are from 1964? The date looks like Dec. 15 1961 to me, (a good year to be born).
I like all of the musical references – symbols, “right note of accent”, etc.
Thanks again!
Lori
pam kueber says
Yes, the 4 in 1964 was faded. It’s 1964, though, I assure you.
Karin says
They’re so elegant, love them. I’m just wondering if this Peter Munk is any relation to the Toronto-based sound engineer who designed the iconic Canadian midcentury stereo, the Clairtone Project G.
Blondie7 says
Dang Pam, you lucky lady you! What a beautiful Griswold Symbol cookware set! Enjoy them to the fullest! I hope that your precious arm is getting better every day!
Blessings!
Blondie7