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Here are two from Iowa. The first, from Bettendorf and on Craigslist right now for $150, is an interesting specimen with backsplash details different from those I’ve seen before. It also seems to have early 40s knobs but late 40s handles.
The next one is from Burlington.
My fascination with and confusion about proper dating of Roper stoves is well-documented on this site. Here’s a brochure that may help somewhat. Either way, it’s got great period details
Below is an interesting bit of info: a letter from the Roper Corporation to stove dealers announcing a new Roper for September of 1944. The letter notes that production of gas ranges in the plant ceased on July 31, 1942. This lets us know that there were 1941 Ropers, so maybe my Roper is correctly dated to 1941. It doesn’t answer the question of whether 1940-41 parts were used on 1944-and-on models.
Available now!
It’s got the lamp, timer, S&P shakers, I think! And appears to have all knobs and handles.
Seller writes: Antique Roper Stove - 6 burner with fold down covers. 2 ovens, broiler, warming drawer. May need a little TLC but still works. MAKE ME AN OFFER. Pick Up Only.
Somebody make an offer, quick!!!
The Roper variations just get more and more interesting. This looks like an early 40s except for the knobby panel, which shares some aspects of the late 30s models. But what’s the configuration: Stove on the right, broiler on the left and on the bottoms—what? I see 4 burner knobs. So why are there 2 folding tops? My head is spinning but I love it.
Here’s the seller’s description:
$300, Beautiful 1950’s Roper Vintage Stove [no, it's not a 50s]
February 12, 2009, 07:36 PM
This stove is in excellent condition – it is a 1950’s Roper vintage stove with 4 burners an oven and a broiler with a cool cooking chart inside the door. It is 41” wide and 27” deep. It also has a built in lid to cover the burners as well. There is also a clock and a timer too! $300.00 or best offer!
Calling all Roper stove owners! I’ve been corresponding with a stove restorer about his work on what looks to be an early 1940s model that has some details he’s trying to replicate. The stove in question has a double oven. And it has some chrome-looking metal strips that work like spring bronze weatherstrip to seal the doors and prevent heat from leaking out. There are also iron straps screwed onto the door frames, and one of the chrome strips is attached to that in some manner. Anyone seen anything similar? Here are the pics:
Here’s the host stove:
Repair guy says the doors get hot really fast when the ovens are turned on. I think those non-original metal handles might be part of the problem.
My stove is a 1941-ish single oven on the right with broiler on the left. Here’s what the door frames look like:
No heat seal of any kind around the doors. And I find it an odd idea that Roper would’ve covered up the speckled porcelain with a strap of iron to attach a heat seal. So my amateur opinion is that those straps and weatherstrippey heat seals are add-ons. Anyone have other ideas?
For those with a thirst for 1930s Ropers, I offer this brochure of beauty. Details on specific styles follow. Swoon now so you can pay attention later.
Submitted for you consideration, a series of old Roper stoves that have appeared online in recent weeks.
Roper from Kansas City:
Roper from Weston, Missouri:
Roper from Medina, Ohio :
Roper from Los Angeles:
Roper from Tulsa:
Roper from northeast Philadelphia:
And—surprise—a Western Holly from Dakota Dunes, South Dakota:
Up on eBay now is a good-looker from the early 40s that’s got lots in common with my beloved behemoth.
Seller’s description: “Up for auction is 1941 vintage Roper gas stove double oven with 4 burners in excellent condition. This stove was in my grandma’s house when she moved in. Honestly, she never used it.”
Here’s a sleek Roper stove that came with the house one of our readers bought. I find this model quite intriguing because it’s got the early 40s knobs and handles that mine has, as well as the late 30s marbled burner surround that a friend’s model has (I still have to post hers, but that type of top is here). And the legs are somewhere in between.
You can’t quite see the marbling above; it’s a little more visible on the edge below.
The baking chart says 1938 …
But the broiling chart says 1940! I keep wondering what’s more likely—that the Roper plant would use old chart doors in newer models or that the plant would have doors for years in the future and use those in older models.
If you live near this stove and would like to give it a new home, give a holler.
On Craigslist now is this late 30s Roper stove with darling pistachio handles. The seller says the stove “was working when I got it 12 years ago, has been a great liquor cabinet since.”
