Not Your Average Casserole Dish: This Vintage Pyrex Is A Rare Thrift Find

What's your sign? That may be what members of the Nemacolin Country Club were asking each other back in 1963, when they received a 2.5-quart Pyrex casserole dish, with the 12 astrological zodiac signs encircling its circumference. One of multiple pieces Pyrex created as promotional or giveaway items, the Nemacolin Country Club Zodiac pattern may once have been given away for free. Today, though, it's a valuable collector's item that can sell for more than $3,500, especially if it's complete with its original lid.

The legend behind the Nemacolin Country Club Zodiac dish is that Pyrex custom made it for the eponymous country club, to give away at its annual banquet. Who knows how many of the casseroles were made and how many were given away initially. What's clear is that today, it's a rare find and a valuable vintage Pyrex item you shouldn't overlook at the thrift store.

While the Nemacolin Country Club casserole dish may be in a class of its own in terms of rarity, it's not the only Pyrex dish to feature the 12 star signs. The brand also released a dark-green casserole dish, featuring a single band of zodiac signs, as a 1961 holiday season promotional item. Like all Pyrex promotional items, or "non-standard patterns," the 1961 Zodiac dish is relatively rare. However, it's nowhere near as hard to find as its Nemacolin Country Club cousin.

A few things set the Nemacolin Country Club Zodiac design apart from the other Zodiac-patterned pieces released by Pyrex. One is the fact that the pattern wears its name on its side. "1963 Nemacolin Country Club" is printed, in a circle, just under one of the "ears" of the dreamy Cinderella-style dishware. On the opposite side, just under the second "ear," or handle, of the dish, "Co-op Annual Banquet 33rd" is printed.

Icons of the 12 zodiac signs are printed, in two rows, around the bowl's circumference. Along with a picture of the star sign, the screenprint includes details of each one, such as the date range, planet associated with the sign, personality type, birthstone, and symbol. In contrast, the 1961 Zodiac dish features a single row of icons, without any supporting details.

Like many other Pyrex promotional items, including the 1961 Zodiac pattern and the limited-run Gourmet black and white pattern, the Nemacolin Country Club Zodiac pattern was released as a 2.5-quart, Cinderella round casserole dish. The Cinderella designation means it has two spouts on each side, which also double has handles. The casserole dish originally had a coordinating, clear, glass lid; however, it may be the case that dishware you stumble upon has long been separated from its lid. Before your next trip to the thrift store, give your horoscope a quick read. You never know, the stars may have aligned, and a "finding a rare, in-demand piece of vintage kitchenware" could be in your near future.