On Tuesday, I spent the afternoon assembling the Marx Modern Toy Kitchen that I discovered last weekend at the Wellfleet Flea Market on Cape Cod. What a find — a 1950 unused toy still in its original box! However, I took a leap of faith when buying it. You see, the seller was almost certain that it was a complete set, but he never looked through the carton to know for sure.
I began by removing everything from the box and doing a quick inventory. The only real issue was that I was missing a chunk of the instruction sheet. So I had to wing it when putting the set together.
Little by little, I figured it out. Before long, all that was left to do was add the finishing touches — door handles, knobs, faucet, utensil rack, sink basin, dishwasher tub, pots, pans, dishes, ice cube trays, tea kettle, canisters, and flatware. There was even a red plastic turkey and a t-bone steak that I popped in the oven.
Yay! I was thrilled to see that the set was complete and had no missing pieces. With just a bit of rust from being stored in a basement for 63 years, this toy is in remarkable condition for its age. Isn't it adorable?
Susan
It's absolutely amazing. What a find!
Posted by: Musings from Kim K. | August 15, 2013 at 08:31 PM
So happy all the pieces were there..crazy what people store away.
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | August 15, 2013 at 09:04 PM
I wanna come play kitchen with you...oh so much fun! Susan that is the cutest thing ever! Awesomely fantastic! I love those huge ice trays and that turkey, wow everything is just so darn cute. That is an awesome find. You know that is right up my alley. :)
Posted by: Elsie | August 15, 2013 at 09:44 PM
Oh my goodness, I love it!
xo
Claudia
Posted by: Claudia | August 16, 2013 at 06:42 AM
So Sweet! I love it!
Posted by: Mel | August 16, 2013 at 12:30 PM
So adorable!! I'm jealous, it looks like you had so much fun putting it together. I swear that looks exactly like my Grandma's real kitchen.
Let me know when the turkey is done. I'll be right over!:)
Posted by: Kristy l. | August 16, 2013 at 04:36 PM
Oh, my!!! I think my heart has stopped. I so want to have one of those. Lucky, lucky, you!
Posted by: Lynne | August 19, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Oh, I want to cry looking at it...it is so dang cute! I still love playing around with my dollhouses and my girls Barbie kitchenette, but they aren't vintage. I keep thinking I might do a retro/vintage flip on the kitchenette. :)
Posted by: tammyCA | August 22, 2013 at 09:58 PM
That is so cute! I am drooling :)
Posted by: Ruth | August 25, 2013 at 03:33 PM
So cute!!! I love it but I'm glad I didn't have to put it together. Especially with half the instructions missing. (Who am I kidding? I never read instructions - Ha)
This may be the only one in existence with all the little bits and pieces.
Posted by: Janet Johnson | August 27, 2013 at 11:49 AM
I have the same kitchen set that Santa brought me when I was a little girl, some 60+ years ago! Mine is missing a few of the small pieces but is in good condition considering its age. I was thrilled to find your web page! Mine brings back lots of good memories!!
Posted by: Annette | January 09, 2014 at 09:30 PM
I had the same kitchen, a Christmas present when I was 8 years old. I played with that so much. My Mom hauled it out of the attic when I was about 28 and said I had to take it off her hands. I was not married and figured I would never have kids, so I let my nieces play with it. Then I gave it to them and they destroyed it; lost all the accessories. My sister finally threw it out. Fast forward several years ... I got married, had a beautiful daughter. When she was old enough to play with Barbie dolls, I kicked myself that I hadn't kept that vintage tin kitchen for her. We had to buy an expensive, yet cheaply-made plastic Barbie kitchen. Hated that since it kept coming apart as she played with it. I have been looking for a Marx vintage tin kitchen ever since.
Posted by: Beverley B. | January 13, 2014 at 02:11 PM
Thrilled you found that. I had one as a child and dreamed of having a window of my own some day looking out at a wishing well. It disappeared somewhere in my young adult years, but I recently obtained one on eBay that is in pretty nice shape. Have enjoyed remembering the pleasure I had all those years ago.
Posted by: Robynn Warner | January 26, 2014 at 06:31 PM
My mom had this kitchen set when she was a little girl. When I was a young girl, and had so many barbies, she gave it to me to play with. It was truly treasured.
When our house burned down, it was something my mom and I sincerely missed, because we both hoped I'd be able to pass it down to my children.
I love the photos you have posted, they remind me how magical a toy can be.
Posted by: Jennifer Liebold | August 07, 2014 at 04:41 PM
Hi Jennifer~ Thank you for your comment! I'm so glad my photos brought back fond memories for you.
Posted by: Susan | August 08, 2014 at 07:23 AM
OMG I was so tickled to come across this kitchen set on a Pinterest search. I had this toy as a child and I am 69 years old now. I remember the scene out the kitchen window, the dishes, the cups, and the food items. This toy began my lifelong love of kitchens. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Nana of NC | January 16, 2017 at 09:50 AM
I had this set at age 6 and I loved it. I’m 71 now and still do. I took very good care of it s a child but no idea where it went to. I bought one on eBay 15 years ago and will not let it go. Not sure I would allow my granddaughter to play with it because kids don’t value their toys the way we did. Maybe when she’s old enough to respect it’s age or may be not. But it gave me so many hours of joy.
So happy you found it and brand new. Just lovely !
Posted by: Ann Gun-Munro | March 02, 2021 at 07:17 PM