I recently came across a Revere Ware replacement parts order form from 1950. I’ve often wondered how our prices compare with what Revere Ware charged for parts back in the Revere Ware heyday, and this price list gave me a good opportunity to compare 1950 prices + inflation with our prices today.
Pan handles were $0.60 for the handle, hardware set, and hanging hook. The official government inflation statistics (consumer price index) since 1950 peg todays prices at 9.09 times prices in 1950, which mean a replacement handle in 1950 cost $5.45 in 2010 dollars. We sell them for $9.99. Given that Revere Ware was a huge company that produced millions of parts per year, it isn’t surprising that they could sell them for less than we do.
But for other parts, the disparity is considerably less:
Replacement gaskets for the vintage 4 quart pressure cookers were $0.75 in 1950, or $6.82 in 2010 dollars. We sell them for $9.99.
Lid knobs were $0.25 in 1950 or $2.27 in 2010 dollars. We sell them for $2.99.
Hardware sets were $0.35 in 1950 or $3.18 in 2010 dollars. We sell them for $2.99.
Not a bad deal.