Does Melmac still exist?

[akbjr]

I've become increasingly enamored of Melmac, that indestructable substance of my youth in the 60's & 70's. It seems to be somewhat trendy again, as I've seen it online & at a few stores selling for outragous prices. ($12.00-$14.00 per new plate) I recently asked in my nearby independent charity thriftshop if they ever saw Melmac come in, & they said "no". I'd never come across any at any SA's either. It must still exist somewhere, the stuff didn't break. I'd love to collect it, but can't find it in Ak. Does anyone see it around? just curious, thanks!

[nancydr2]

I see it and buy it all the time.  At AZ Goodwills, you sometimes see 8-12 Melmac plates taped together for $2.99.  I especially like the creamer/sugar sets in pastel colors.  It's definitely out there.

[Jay2TheRescue]

I've become increasingly enamored of Melmac, that indestructable substance of my youth in the 60's & 70's. It seems to be somewhat trendy again, as I've seen it online & at a few stores selling for outragous prices. ($12.00-$14.00 per new plate) I recently asked in my nearby independent charity thriftshop if they ever saw Melmac come in, & they said "no". I'd never come across any at any SA's either. It must still exist somewhere, the stuff didn't break. I'd love to collect it, but can't find it in Ak. Does anyone see it around? just curious, thanks!

I've seen it, and actually had it for sale from time to time.  I haven't stocked it in years though.  It was almost impossible to sell.  Maybe the market has changed now.

-Jay

[valleythriftshopper]

I see melmac almost daily at my thrifts, mostly solid colors & standard patterns though, not the funky space age stuff, which is probably the most collectible.  There was a local company that used to produce it, although the melmac I see is from a variety of places including newer made in china stuff.

[akbjr]

Oh, you guys,  well, I'm glad it's still out there. Seriously, don't think I've ever seen it in an Ak thrift, not that I'm an expert or anything. The population here has grown a lot in the past 20-30 years, guess the melmac years were before then, so no one here has it anymore. Many people end up here without much stuff, like I did, so start over with what's already here.
     If you want to check out some really cool melmac at some really not-so-cool prices that might inspire you about picking some up, here's a site I enjoy browsing at dishes on. www.plumparty.com  Sets of 4 are like $44.00, no kidding.

[foutchie]

My parents still use theirs in their camper - purple solids with white plates that have purple flowers I believe.

[Pedeka]

Ohhh poop... I came here wanting to talk about the PLANET Melmac, you know, where ALF was from.

[oceangurl]

Yes melmac does exist still! I have thrifted many pieces thru out the yrs, although I havent seen any in a while, I mainely come across the sugar and creamer sets of which I have 3. I have four square melmac bowls in yummy colors, turquoise, lime green, coral and yellow that I thrifted many yrs ago, I eat ice cream or frozen yougurt out of those and smile every time I see them, I am a melmac lover! I also have a complete "hostess' set of I think 74 pieces that was made in the fifties, they have the blue willow pattern on them and I use them dailey for dinner, easy to load in the dishwasher and light! Loved the link you sent I checked it out and want some of the "frenchbull" items, fell in love with those. Sometimes Ross has melmac kitchen items, that is a department store here in Florida where I live. Anyhow a great thread, a woman after my own heart...Aaahhhhh Melmac!

[akbjr]

Planet melmac? Guess I should have used the term "melamine", but could only think of melmac. Write to me!
     I meant to say to check out the "french bull", but had another blank brain at the time. Hope you didn't have to search too much, but don't they have the design's though? They do have sales, but still a bit $$$. Cool that you collect, would love to see what you have. I just have such visceral memories of growing up with that stuff, & now I want some. Honestly, I've never seen it in Ak. Maybe there's some special repository where old melmac goes up here!

[Pedeka]

I was just joking about Melmac Actually, I got a brand new set of melamine dishes when I got married 4 years ago. The dishes are white with a red and yellow boomerang pattern. I love them. I have very fond memories of my grandmother's melmac set. She had Pink and turquoise solid colors and the pattern was pink, blue and silver starburst-like things on a very light gray. They matched the turquoise and silver boomerang counter tops. Sadly,well water yellowed them badly over the years.

[genuineimitation]

is this stuff toxic? does anyone know? i've got some summer plates we use, but i'm suspicious of them...

[akbjr]

I thought you were serious even though you didn't seem the science fiction type. I honestly thought that... oh well, never mind.  Your wedding dishes sound awesome. Guess I'll just keep looking. I can't even find them in Walmart. We are getting our first ever Target this fall in Anchorage, maybe they will have some if I can't find it in a thrift. I really should call all the thrifts in the area & ask them about the appearance of melmac. That would be the "efficient" way to go about it, but the point of thrifting isn't exactly efficiency, it's serendipity!
    

[Pedeka]

is this stuff toxic? does anyone know? i've got some summer plates we use, but i'm suspicious of them...

Are you thinking about the pet food issue from earlier this year? From what I understand the melamine that got the dogs sick was actually processed into the dog food as a filler.I have never heard mention of someone getting sick from the dishes. I'm thinking that there is a big difference between eating off of melamine dishes and actually eating the melamine dishes.

I thought you were serious even though you didn't seem the science fiction type.     

This made me giggle. I'll tell you something embarrassing. We named my daughter Jayne. Not after Ms. Mansfield, but because we were totally hooked on watching Firefly on dvd. We dress the poor child up as Yoda and let her run around the house with a light saber. We have a fairly impressive Star Wars collection. I met my husband because of Robert Asprin. My thesis was on Ray Bradbury. I am in love with Dr.Who.*sigh* In a word, I am a sci-fi geek

[floridarecycled]

is this stuff toxic? does anyone know? i've got some summer plates we use, but i'm suspicious of them...

My daughter told me that it's plastic with a #7 on the bottom that is not safe (especially when heated)...

[nancydr2]

I am in love with Dr.Who.

Me, too!  I never thought there would be a Doctor Who better than Tom Baker, but David Tennant is pulling it off.  He's adorable.

Re: melamine/melmac...  I always worry about stuff that is marked Made in China, as most modern melamine is.  I've never read anything that says it's a problem, but I end up wondering if its going to be the next product discovered to be full of lead.  Until China cleans up its manufacturing issues, I'm avoiding stuff made there.