Wednesday, March 7, 2007

What we are talking about.


I chose this Atomic for the first picture because it is unusual. Not only are all the bakelite knobs a beautiful emerald green colour, but the La Sorrentina reseller badge is almost - but not quite - unique in not using the classic Atomic logo.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

A very rare 1-2 cup model, with no frother, called the LITTLE, used the Atomic wording "shape" to inscribe their own name. But they messed up when they added EXPRESSO. Still quite interesting. A nemesis of Bon Trading (aren't they all?) Life-Ware doesn't show the familiar Atomic shape logo either, but their phone number is there. The most atomic ATOMIC logo certainly goes to the Stella, with the Austrian patent, held by Signor Robbiati, and is in the shape of the cloud that shapes itself after an atomic blast. I would believe that it was a bit too much in the early 50's....I love those labels, they speak volumes!Frederick.

Anonymous said...

I'll pay almost anything for a green one. Really, truly.

jonathan dot fine at gmx dot net

Anonymous said...

I'd like one of those green bakelite ones too..cant find one anywhere. Hey Wootha brought a fake Atomic on ebay.aus for interest to see what they are like. Very good fake it was too, with a BON Trading badge. Can see how some poor person might get confused! But put it nxt to a real Atomic and you'd pick the flaws...Janine (Gizmo)

Wootha said...

Hi Janine,
Why not flick us some pics of the fake so we can put them on the site? Especially the plug in the reservoir and closeups of the bakelite mouldings and any other "flaws"? Wootha

Anonymous said...

Hello all,
I picked up one of these green bakelite La Sorrentina's from ebay USA a few weeks ago for 306USD...
the reason it was so cheap was that they did not use the name Atomic in the description at all and no collectors could find it... Mine is identical to the one pictured here except that the bakelite is much darker green- it appears that it was made at the end of a run and they mixed black and green bakelite together... Shame as the pure emerald is stunning. Word is that very soon there will be a complete range of replacement bakelite parts available in several colours... blue and green to begin with.

Anonymous said...

So lucky El Atomico,
Well done - I'm so jealous!! I'm also after any of those more unusual labeled ones if any one wishes to part with one!! A question. So the Little Expresso descibed by Frederick isnt actually an Atomic then? Or does he mean it is an Atomic but just doesnt' have the word Atomnic on it? Anyone? Janine

Anonymous said...

A warm hello from New York City! I recently purchased an Atomic
Espresso Pot from E-Bay and when it arrived the Black Knob was frozen
closed. On your website I found Paul Howell's method of removing the
knob by building a crazy looking wooden contraption. Well, I am
writing to say that with the addition of spraying the knob with an
American product called "Liquid Wrench", it worked! if very gently
turned the knob and caused no damage to my Atomic Pot! I'm very
excited about the prospect of using this amazing little piece of
design genius to make my coffee. So Mr. Howell, wherever you are:
Many many thanks. Best.
Leonard

Anonymous said...

Dear El Atomico:

OH WOW, I was the guy you outbid for that green Atomic!!! I had no idea they were so rare or I would have bid higher! I was cursing you when that auction ended! Congratulations!
Leonard

Unknown said...

Hello there Leonard,
It is a small world after all. I was very surprised the machine only sold for 306- I had entered a final bid of 680 USD so you can imagine how happy I was to get it for less than half that amount. It is indeed a very rare model- in truth I have only ever seen two of them in existence- Mine and the one pictured on this website. I am now manufacturing new machine in the Robbiati style- they are available on ebay- have a look under "La Sorrentina". All parts are compatible with the original machines. Green and blue bakelite coming soon... :-)

Anonymous said...

Stay tuned folks: I will be listing a vintage green handled La Sorrentina made in Itay coffee maker on ebay.

george said...

I am always on the lookout for Atomic Coffee makers when I go to antique shops, junk shops, and flea markets. I found my first at a flea market years ago. It was missing parts and I never did restore it. I paid $2.00 US for it. About a year ago, I spoted a complete pot in an antique mall for $24.95 US....and got a 10% discount. Last week I went to an antique tractor and engine show / swap meet and of course I always am on the lookout for an Atomic. I almost fell over when I saw an orange machine for $18.00 US. I offered the lady $10.00 US and was surprised when she said ok. I just made my first pot of coffee with it. The top seal and cap seal leaked a little, but the coffee came out perfect. This latest machine has a brass tapered pin that controls the flow of coffee from the basket. I never seen one like it before.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous- please let us know when you list the green Sorentina machine. I will be interested to watch and perhaps bid.

for those interested: I now sell a complete reproduction machine called "La Sorrentina". I also sell replacement parts to fit almost all vintage Atomic type machines (may not fit very early Steella and Qalital machines). My parts are NON OEM replacements- (La Sorrentina brand)- but they will fit perfectly on older Italian made machines and are made to the same dimensions and specificatios using genuine bakelite etc. My seals are food grade silicon. I can be contacted at sales@sorrentinacoffee.com.
jack

Anonymous said...

G'day! I just listed a genuine green bakelite Atomic on ebay item 180372974990 Good luck!

Unknown said...

Hi! I bought a Atomic today at a fleemarket in sweden for a dollar!!! I have problems with the knob, but it will be taken care of. However, it would fun to know its not a fake! Any pictures on a fake one?

Wootha said...

You can check this pic - http://www.atomic.org.nz/bs1.html

I hope someone will post better ones...

Vani said...

Hey, nice site you have here! Keep up the excellent work!


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