We lose the forks. That’s what it boils down to. I don’t know if it’s just carelessness or an over-abundance of paper plate use that makes it easy to throw them away. Or, if they simply get sucked into that old house ether where wayward socks, misplaced pens, and the occasional fork go. But, we lose the forks. At least that’s the eBay thrifting story I’m going with! I’ve wanted to add a new set of flatware to our kitchen for a while, and when we inexplicably dwindled down to only one or two salad forks, I knew it was time to begin the search. Yes, I took a glance at a few of the cool retailers, but I really wanted a vintage set. And I set about finding one.
An Atomic Discovery
My favorite vintage era is the 1940s-1970s (typically called mid-century) because it reflects both my mother’s childhood and part of my own. So, the pieces always seem inherently familiar — and, of course, weirdly fun and nostalgic. I began searching through eBay for “mid century silverware,” and it wasn’t long until I discovered flatware pieces featuring two atomic starbursts and serving pieces with star and moon cut-outs. Eeep! A little digging, and I learned the pattern was appropriately called “Twin Star” and produced by Oneida as part of the Betty Crocker coupon program — another staple of the mid-century era and beyond.
“You’ll love the graceful modern look of Twin Star — the glowing luster that never needs polishing, and the skilled Oneida Community craftsmanship.”
That’s how a Betty Crocker coupon described the “New Twin Star Pattern.” According to the vintage promotional material I found, the pattern included 19 pieces (one being a 3-piece children’s set) and was available through something called a “thift” or “speed” plan?
Some History
Minnesota-based Washburn-Crosby Company created the Betty Crocker persona in 1921. Though Betty was never one actual person, the character gained life and cultural icon status as a sort of “every woman” in the kitchen through advertisements, product packaging, actor-portrayed radio and television programming, and published cookbooks. Washburn-Crosby merged with several other mills to form General Mills in 1928, and the Betty Crocker character and brand have been part of American homes ever since.
In 1929, General Mills began inserting an offer for a free teaspoon into its bags of Gold Medal Flour and boxes of Wheaties Cereal as a way of boosting sales. Homemakers could redeem the offer for a spoon in the “Friendship” pattern by William Rogers & Son. The offer was so popular that General Mills began expanding it to more pieces of the “Friendship” pattern, and by 1932, customers could obtain an entire service.
In 1937, General Mills began printing coupons with redeemable points directly on the outside of product packages, encouraging customers to “save and redeem for huge savings on fine kitchen and home accessories” in a Betty Crocker Catalog. Thus began one of the longest-running customer loyalty programs in the United States. When the Betty Crocker coupon program was discontinued in 2006, the catalog had grown to more than 75 pages of products ranging from tableware and kitchen gadgets to toys and home decorating items.
From its inception, the coupon program offered American homemakers an opportunity to purchase fine flatware they may not have otherwise been able to afford from department stores — mainly because they could collect it slowly with the benefit of discounts received from products they already purchased every day. Plus, the flatware products, for example, were of sufficient enough quality that families were willing to save up to purchase them. But, that’s not the only reason for the program’s overwhelming popularity.
In a 2006 Minneapolis Public Radio piece about the discontinuation of the Betty Crocker coupon program, General Mills Merchandise Manager, Renee Stark, talked about the memories and family traditions that tended to be entwined with the program as mothers collected pieces to add to hope chests for their daughters, and grandmothers passed down sets of flatware to the next generation. In fact, as I’ve been researching the flatware available through the Betty Crocker program, I’ve found countless anecdotes about how discovering a piece of “Queen Bess” or “My Rose” on eBay or in thrift stores brought strong memories of time in a grandmother’s kitchen. Or, how folks can remember co-workers pooling coupons to purchase highly coveted gifts for a bridal shower or other special occasion. Rarely has a cereal or cake mix promotion entered so deeply into the cultural zeitgeist.
I’m guessing sometime in the 1950s (I haven’t been able to nail down the exact date), General Mills began a partnership with Oneida Community Stainless that lasted for decades, offering exclusive patterns of Oneida’s stainless flatware in the Betty Crocker coupon program. The flatware could be purchased through either the “Thrift Plan” requiring more coupons, but less cash, or the “Speed Plan” where customers could pay more without having to wait to save up as many coupons. For example, a 1965 coupon for “Twin Star” allowed you to obtain a teaspoon in exchange for 35 coupons plus 10 cents in the “Thrift Plan” or for only 2 coupons plus 25 cents through the “Speed Plan.”
A Collection is Born
The atomic-inspired “Twin Star” Oneida Community Stainless pattern was released through the Betty Crocker coupon program in 1959 — at least as far as I can tell. In a long-running program with such varied products, it can be challenging to find verifiable launch dates for the various patterns. But, searching down copies of coupons or vintage magazine ads through online databases and even eBay, Etsy or other collector sites can be a great help — magazine issue or offer expiration dates can be top-notch clues! I came across a “close out” ad for the discontinuation of “Twin Star” with an expiration date of November 25, 1972. It described the pattern’s 13-year run of popularity. Sometimes it helps to work backwards! Plus, what could be more 1960s than atomic stars?
A “Twin Star” Betty Crocker coupon promotional booklet I found on Flickr boasted, “Twin Star owners love: the graceful shaping and star-studded pattern . . . the rich luster that never needs polishing or refinishing . . . the weighty ‘feel’ found only in fine stainless . . . the serrated, forge-bladed dinner knives (You can even have them with luxury hollow handles!)”
I’ll leave the “luxury hollow handles” for further research, but I was definitely sold on “Twin Star” for our “new” flatware! Over a few weeks, I searched down and purchased three listings on eBay to get a near complete 8-place set of flatware — a 47-piece purchase for the bulk of the place settings, a 20-piece purchase for extras and a collection of the serving pieces, and one slotted jelly spoon purchase, just because. I still want to locate some of the less-needed pieces like iced tea spoons, cocktail forks and the children’s set. But, for now, we love the pattern. It is a fun addition alongside any of our dishware as well our other mid-century kitchen and serving items. Plus, it is holding up great to modern use, in and out of the dishwasher. True to the 1960s advertising, most of the pieces still have a great deal of luster, with only a few showing more wear, which I’m sure could be polished up to regain their shine. Vintage atomic mission accomplished.
My family doesn’t have much history with the Betty Crocker coupon program. No one has shared stories of saving coupons or waiting eagerly for flatware to appear in the mailbox. My grandmother didn’t pass along a set she collected, nor does my mother own one. Aside from the thrill of a mid-century eBay find, I don’t really have an Oneida Community Stainless tradition to savor — yet. “Twin Star” has entered the story of our family now, and we’re in good company with the families that owned our flatware before us. A collection is born — and traditions — as we give these vintage pieces a new life on our table.
Hello & welcome! I’m Haley Montgomery, and I’m the designer and owner of 
