Jun 29 2010
Arcade Crystal Coffee Grinder
The Arcade Manufacturing Company made coffee mills in the early 1900’s, from 1900 to 1930. These have become some of the most sought after collector grinders in America. The Arcade Crystal coffee grinder, particularly Model No.3, are highly prized treasures in the coffee grinder’s collection.
Collectors do have to be careful when searching for these grinders as there are unscrupulous people who will try to pass off grinders that are not genuine as being real. The Arcade Crystal grinder is particularly vulnerable as there are people who take parts from various Crystal models and combine them to make one complete grinder. To an uneducated collector the grinder might appear to be a complete antique but the trained eye will be able to pick out that it is not a true piece of history.
Arcade Crystal Coffee Grinders
Arcade Crystal Grinders are beautiful grinders with crystal clear bean hoppers that resemble mason jars on the top. These wall mounted models were black cast iron with crank handles and later models would have crystal clear catch jars attached to the bottom to catch the ground coffee. The words Arcade Crystal appeared in various places on the different models. Model No. 2 simply had “Crystal” across the upper jar.
Every Arcade Crystal Grinder had a model number and each one had its own markings to identify it. Later models would be more art deco and colorful. The one thing that they all had in common was the Arcade Crystal engraving on the glass bottoms and possibly a number as well. Collectors have to be well educated on these markings in order to identify the real grinders from the imposters.
There are other reasons that distinguishing Arcade Crystal Grinders can be difficult, one of which is the glass jars used by Arcade Crystal Grinders. Arcade Manufacturing supplied the glass jars to other companies who put their own name on them for their coffee grinders. This is why the markings are important in differentiating the different companies.
Collectors should join collector clubs and follow coffee grinder blogs that are devoted to helping collectors find real gems and not be fooled by fake ones. If the grinder is being purchased through the Internet, the buyer should request close-up photos that show all markings along with a certificate of authenticity or warranty should the delivered grinder not be the same one that was promised in the ads.
Collecting vintage coffee grinders is fun and fulfilling if the finds are genuine. Before any purchase is made the buyer should research the seller and the product to make sure they are getting what they believe they are seeing. Finding a rare Arcade Crystal grinder is exciting but should be approached with caution until the authenticity is verified.
-Sharon Chapman
Thank you so much for your information. I have been collecting antiques all of my life & was very pleased to find a Arcade Crystal grinder hidden in a attic yesterday. It is just like the one you have pictured above in red.
So interesting! We have one on our wall that my husband found in an attic when he was a teen. It was passed down to him, and it is now our treasure. Our’s is one of the originals, it is a cream color.