From the "this must have happened while I was sleeping" department. Pyrex is going crazy.

When I was a kid, and I bet most you were the same way, your mom or grandmother had simple, utilitarian glass mixing bowls, measuring cups and pie pans on the counter or in her cupboard right next to the Crisco. Most likely these were made by Corning Glass and they were called Pyrex. They probably looked like these examples: 

Pyrex is a brand introduced by Corning Incorporated in 1915 for a line of clear, low-thermal-expansion borosilicate glass used for laboratory glassware and kitchenware. Borosilicate glass was first made by German chemist and glass technologist Otto Schott, founder of Schott AG in 1893, 22 years before Corning produced the Pyrex brand. Schott AG sold the product under the name "Duran".

In 1908, Eugene Sullivan, director of research at Corning Glass Works, developed Nonex, a borosilicate low-expansion glass, to reduce breakage in shock-resistant lantern globes and battery jars. Sullivan had learned about Schott's borosilicate glass as a doctoral student in Leipzig, Germany. Jesse Littleton of Corning discovered the cooking potential of borosilicate glass by giving his wife a casserole dish made from a cut-down Nonex battery jar. Corning removed the lead from Nonex and developed it as a consumer product. Pyrex made its public debut in 1915 during World War I, positioned as an American-produced alternative to Duran. (courtesy Wiki)
In the late 1930s and 1940s, Corning also introduced other products under the Pyrex brand, including opaque tempered soda-lime glass for bowls and bakeware, and a line of Pyrex Flameware for stovetop use; this borosilicate glass had a bluish tint caused by the addition of alumino-sulfate. In 1958 an internal design department was started by John B. Ward. He redesigned the Pyrex ovenware and Flameware. Over the years, designers such as Penny Sparke, Betty Baugh, Smart Design, TEAMS Design, and others have contributed to the design of the line. (courtesy Wiki).

After World War II, joy and happiness swept the Nation and people wanted bright, fun objects in their homes, and specifically kitchens. Throughout the 1950's-1970's Pyrex kept up by producing some amazing colors and designs. These are the items that have skyrocketed in price. Some rare patterns and colors are into the 4 figure price range and are as desirable as some fine art. There are hundreds of books, websites and social media pages devoted to these rare objects. Try Pinterest pages like here or here. Christy Jordan's website Southern Plate is a great source for Pyrex collecting information. Her article "Confessions of a Pyrex Hoarder" is here. This is Christy with just a small portion of her collection.



Now for what you have been waiting for...the high-dollar stuff :) These are courtesy of "Ask The Ebay Queen".

 

Very Rare PYREX Cloverberry Casserole Dish w/lid & cradle 475 Holy Grail! Sold $1375.00  by eBay Seller pyrexlove 

Very Rare Pyrex Early American Americana Blue Gold Casserole Bowl Dish Turquoise Sold $945.00 by eBay Seller mikeandstephstuff

 

NOS NIB Vtg HTF Promotional 60s Pyrex Starburst Space Saver Casserole 2 Qt. 575 Sold $799.99 by eBay Seller rockposterchild

 

RARE HTF SUNFLOWER PYREX BOWL DISH TURQUOISE AQUA 442 1 1/2 QUART FLOWER UNKNOWN Sold $637.77 by eBay Seller mikeandstephstuff 

 Rare Vintage Pyrex 2 Quart Baking Dish Milk Glass Blue Aqua Clouds Stars HTF SOLD $515.00 by eBay Seller tbytime

Think before you ditch it or donate it. 

 Courtesy here