Reamers: Collectible Citrus Juice Extractors
Reamers are handheld or tabletop devices designed for extracting juice from citrus fruits, produced in glass, ceramic, metal, and wood from the mid-19th century through the 1950s. What began as a simple kitchen utensil became a canvas for colorful Depression-era glass, whimsical figural ceramics, and elegant porcelain designs. Today, vintage reamers are among the most actively collected kitchen antiques, with rare examples reaching four figures at auction.
Types and Materials
- Glass reamers: The largest category, including pressed glass, Depression glass, and milk glass examples. Major producers include Hazel-Atlas, Federal Glass, Fry Glass, US Glass, Indiana Glass, and McKee. Colors range from common clear and white to highly sought jadite, Delphite blue, Seville yellow, Chalaine blue, and black opaque.
- Ceramic and porcelain reamers: Figural designs shaped as clowns, animals, flowers, and fruit are the most desirable. Japanese-made examples from the 1920s-1940s dominate this category. European porcelain reamers from Goebel, Royal Bayreuth, and Noritake also appear.
- Metal reamers: Cast iron, tin, aluminum, and silver-plated varieties. Mechanical lever-action models and cast-iron mounted types are collected alongside simpler hand-held versions.
- Wooden reamers: Typically utilitarian, though turned hardwood examples with good patina have a following.
Identification and Marks
Glass reamers are often identified by mold characteristics, color, and size rather than marks, though some carry maker logos on the base. Hazel-Atlas used an "H over A" mark; McKee pieces sometimes show a "McK" in a circle. Ceramic reamers frequently bear country-of-origin marks: "Made in Japan," "Nippon" (pre-1921), or "Occupied Japan" (1945-1952). Size matters -- two-piece reamers with a separate base/pitcher are generally more valuable than one-piece designs.
Auction Price Ranges
| Type | Typical Range | Premium Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Common clear glass, one-piece | $5 - $20 | $30 for unusual mold |
| Jadite or Delphite glass | $40 - $150 | $300+ for rare shades |
| Seville yellow McKee | $75 - $200 | $350+ in mint condition |
| Chalaine blue | $100 - $250 | $500+ for two-piece sets |
| Black opaque glass | $150 - $400 | $800+ for rare forms |
| Figural ceramic (Japan) | $25 - $125 | $250+ for rare figures |
| Saunders or mechanical type | $30 - $100 | $200 for complete sets |
| Fry opalescent glass | $75 - $300 | $500+ for colored handles |
Condition Factors
For glass reamers, chips on the cone (juice extraction point) are common and reduce value by 25-40%. Cracks, especially stress cracks from the mold, are more serious. Original paint on decorated glass examples should be intact; paint loss drops value significantly. Ceramic reamers should have intact spouts and handles. For two-piece reamers, matching top and bottom from the same manufacturer is essential -- married pieces (mismatched parts) are worth far less.
Collecting Tips
Color is king in glass reamer collecting. Uncommon colors in otherwise standard forms can multiply value tenfold. Collectors often specialize by material, maker, or color group. Display is part of the appeal -- reamers show well on open shelving or in lighted cabinets. Reproductions exist, particularly in jadite and cobalt glass; look for sharper mold details and heavier weight in originals. The National Reamer Collectors Association maintains reference materials useful for identification.