Vintage Pyrex Early American Pattern 1.5 Quart Casserole Dish

This is a vintage Pyrex casserole dish, model #043, in the 1.5-quart size featuring the 'Early American' pattern. The piece is constructed from opal (milk) glass with a matte wood-tone brown or golden-brown exterior finish. The decorative motif is printed in gold and depicts various colonial-themed icons, including a bald eagle, coffee mill, mortar and pestle, bellows, ears of corn, and wheat stalks. This specific color and pattern combination was produced by Corning Glass Works between 1962 and 1971. The dish is accompanied by a clear, tempered glass lid, likely a 943C model. From the image, the gold leaf pattern appears mostly intact; however, there are visible signs of wear common to this era, including slight scuffs along the rim and some cloudiness in the lid. A significant piece of adhesive tape is across the lid, which may leave a residue. The interior is white opal glass, which generally resists staining, though inspection for 'flea bites' on the rim and 'dishwasher haze' (a dulling of the exterior finish) is recommended. The craftsmanship is typical of the mid-century mass-production era, known for high durability and thermal shock resistance.

I have virtually examined this 1.5-quart casserole dish (#043) in the Early American pattern (1962–1971). The item presents as an authentic piece of Corning opal glassware. The gold filigree icons—including the eagle and bellows—retain good luster, which is critical as these gold-leaf applications are prone to abrasive wear. However, the presence of adhesive tape on the lid and visible surface scuffs near the handles suggest a 'good' rather than 'mint' condition. The market for mid-century Pyrex remains stable, but the Early American pattern is among the most mass-produced, making it highly accessible rather than rare. Comparables for this specific model in average-to-good condition typically settle in the $40 to $70 range at auction. Factors negatively impacting this specific piece include the potential for 'dishwasher haze' (a permanent etching of the glass) and the risk of adhesive damage to the lid. To finalize this appraisal, an in-person inspection is required to check for 'flea bites' (tiny chips) along the inner rim and to verify the 'backstamp' for production period accuracy. Furthermore, high-intensity backlighting would be necessary to ensure the brown finish hasn't been thinned by chemical detergents. Scientific testing of the gold content is not standard for this category, but provenance proving original box inclusion or a 'never-used' history would significantly elevate the valuation.