When I started this blog a decade ago, one of the questions I was most curious about was: how many different spreader sets exist? How many have been made?
A collector wants to know how many items are out there to collect. Usually, one of the first things collectors do when they start collecting something is to obtain collectors’ guides. As Collectors Weekly writes:
“As long as people have been collecting, printed guides to popular items have been produced by a variety of sources, from major publishers to individual enthusiasts, detailing a particular subject’s history and common pricing… an item’s production date, materials, and market price.”
But no one has yet to my knowledge put together a Collectors’ Guide to Cheese Spreaders, so I’ve had to make my own “individual enthusiast’s” lists of spreader sets and the companies that made them. And I’m sharing these lists, so other collectors won’t have to do this.
I started by collecting images I found online, adding them to my Pinterest boards, making a different board for each brand. This soon got hard to keep track of within the boards for the brands that made more than 40-50 different sets, so for those I began compiling an Excel spreadsheet by manufacturer, with item numbers (when known) and descriptions. I’ve mostly searched online auction sites like Ebay to find this information; it’s been a slow but fascinating process, to see the incredibly wide variety of spreader sets. I’m also working on contacting the companies that issued them (if they’re still in business), to obtain complete lists when possible.
My estimate is that more than 2,000 different figural-handle spreader sets have been made by more than 50 companies, and my lists, both here and on Pinterest, include more than 1,500 sets so far.
I’m making keyword-searchable online database tables from my Excel lists (with images for easy identification!), included below. I also include links to my Pinterest boards of images by brand. Both will be useful for collectors, and for sellers listing spreader sets for sale — identifying the brand makes sets worth more.
Below are links to pages with information about the main companies who have sold spreader sets, together with links to my searchable lists (or to my Pinterest image boards):
Spreader Brands & Makers
Boston Warehouse:
The largest producer, and almost certainly the originator of the whole concept of resin-handle spreader sets, was Boston Warehouse. BW made some of the nicest ones out there, and issued probably at least 900 different sets in total.
More About Boston Warehouse Spreaders
Boston Warehouse Spreader Database (a searchable list of Boston Warehouse spreader sets)
Cardinal Inc. / Spreadables issued more than 150 different sets under the Cardinal, Inc. and Spreadables trademarked names, including at least 30 spreader house sets. Some of the most intricately detailed sets and most esoteric subjects were made by Cardinal.
More About Cardinal Inc./Spreadables Spreaders
Cardinal-Spreadables Database (a searchable list of Cardinal sets)
Supreme Housewares is one of the few companies that still imports and sells spreaders, mostly wholesale to stores and other companies. The company, located in Milpitas (near San Jose), California, has issued at least 100 different spreader sets, which retail under the Supreme Housewares, Gourmet Art, Wine Things and Mr. Spreader labels (as well as under private reseller labels).
My Pinterest page of Supreme Housewares spreader set images.
My Pinterest page of Mr. Spreader spreader set images.
My Pinterest page of Gourmet Art spreader set images.
The Christopher Radko Company issued more than 50 spreader sets to complement its high-quality European glass Christmas ornaments. These were made to a high standard of design and quality, as might be expected for such a company.
More About Christopher Radko Spreaders
Christopher Radko Spreader List (a searchable list of Christopher Radko spreader sets)
Ambiance Collections issued at least a dozen spreader house sets, and a handful of spreader sets.
Click here for More About Ambiance Collection Spreaders
And here for my Pinterest page of Ambiance Collection spreader set images.
American Chateau made at least half a dozen spreader sets, mostly in food and French themes.
My Pinterest page of American Chateau spreader set images.
Artmark Chicago, Ltd. was an importing company that mostly sold porcelain dolls from the 1970s through 1990s. Artmark issued at least half a dozen spreader sets, including the set of sailor spreaders at left, and one spreader house. The cardboard cases were stamped with “Set of 4 Party Spreaders” on the top front.
My Pinterest page of Artmark spreader set images.
Aviv Judaica Imports Ltd., a Brooklyn, NY wholesale Jewish giftware company established in 1976, has issued around a half dozen spreader sets in Hanukkah themes (as well as the “Fiddler on the Roof” set at left).
My Pinterest page of Aviv Judaica spreader set images.
Avon has issued about a dozen spreader sets and dip bowl & spreader sets, mostly in holiday themes.
My Pinterest page of Avon spreader set images.
Boston International, a gift product company established in 1986 (and not related to Boston Warehouse), has sold at least a dozen different sets of 2 spreaders. Boston International is also the distributor for the Ideal Home Range (a German company) spreader sets, so there is some overlap in their brand identification online.
My Pinterest page of Boston International spreader set images.
Burton & Burton, a balloon and gift supply company near Atlanta, Georgia, has issued a small number of spreader sets, spreader houses, and dip bowl & spreader sets.
My Pinterest page of Burton & Burton spreader set images.
Centrum, Inc. issued at least 20 spreader sets, mostly spreader house sets, some of which are highly imaginative in design and subject.
Click here for More About Centrum, Inc. Spreaders
And here for a List of Centrum Spreaders
Certified International Corp. of Pleasantville, NY, a ceramicware company established in 1942, has issued at least 15 spreader sets, and a larger number of dip bowl & spreader sets.
My Pinterest page of Certified Intl spreader set images.
Chadwick’s of Boston was a Massachusetts clothing retailer, but also issued at least 3 different sets of spreaders.
My Pinterest page of Chadwick’s of Boston spreader set images.
“CIB” or CCIB: Some unbranded ceramic spreader sets have been listed online as made by a “CIB” company, due to the confusing blue & white sticker that appears to read “CIB.” CCIB actually refers to China Commodity Inspection Bureau, a ceramic safety inspection mechanism set up to ensure that Chinese ceramics do not exceed the US FDA allowable levels of lead and cadmium.
Cook’s Club was the house brand of Lechters Houseware, a national chain of kitchenware stores founded in Harrison, NJ in 1976, which went out of business in 2001. At least half a dozen spreader sets and several spreader house sets were issued under the Cook’s Club label.
My Pinterest page of Cook’s Club spreader set images.
Crossroads issued at least two dozen different spreader sets, although I can find out absolutely nothing about the company.
My Pinterest page of Crossroads spreader set images.
Cypress Home (a division of Evergreen Enterprises, a home & garden wholesaler established in Richmond, VA in 1993) issued at least 10 spreader sets, some of them sold in wood display blocks (like the licensed John Deere spreader set, shown at left).
My Pinterest page of Cypress Home spreader set images.
Davida Aprons, a Los Angeles apron and accessories company established in 1980, issued at least four spreader sets, mostly with Jewish themes such as Hanukkah dreidels, bagels and challah bread (and also including the sushi set at left, one of the most delightful sets ever created); also at least one spreader house (a large challah bread with six challah bread spreaders).
My Pinterest page of Davida Aprons spreader set images.
Department 56, a giftware and holiday village company, made several dozen ceramic and resin-handled spreader sets, spreader houses, and dip bowl & spreader sets, mostly for Christmas and Halloween themes.
My Pinterest page of Department 56 spreader set images.
East West Distributing Co., a Deerfield, IL subsidiary of Walgreens pharmacy, issued at least half a dozen spreader sets of 4 and sets of 2, all in Christmas themes, and sold in Walgreens stores.
My Pinterest page of East West Distributing spreader set images.
Fitz & Floyd, the ceramic dinnerware company, issued a number of spreader sets, mostly with ceramic handles, and quite a few ceramic dip bowl and spreader sets.
My Pinterest page of Fitz & Floyd spreader set images.
Fox Run Craftsmen, part of Fox Run Brands, a kitchenware company established near Philadelphia, PA in 1970 (manufacturing cookie cutters), issued at least three spreader sets.
My Pinterest page of Fox Run spreader set images.
Ganz issued probably at least two dozen spreader sets, and dip bowl & spreaders sets, under the Ganz and Bella Casa labels.
My Pinterest page of Ganz spreader set images.
Gerson International, part of Gerson Companies, established in Olathe, Kansas in 1942, is a wholesale seasonal decor company that issued at least three different spreader sets.
My Pinterest page of Gerson Intl spreader set images.
Gourmet Art in the Kitchen is a line issued by the Supreme Housewares company (see above).
My Pinterest page of Gourmet Art spreader set images.
Hallmark Cards, Inc. of Kansas City, MO issued a small number of spreader sets and numerous dip bowl & spreader sets, many in Christmas themes, and several licensed themes (such as the clever Wizard of Oz set of 2, shown at left).
My Pinterest page of Hallmark spreader set images.
The Harry and David gift company issued at least 30 different spreader sets with both polyresin and ceramic handles during the 1990s and 2000s.
My Pinterest page of Harry and David spreader set images.
Ideal Home Range, a German company that makes party napkins and seasonal tableware, issued at least a dozen 2-spreader sets, and a number of dip bowl & spreader sets. IHR’s American distributor is Boston International (not to be confused with Boston Warehouse), so there is some overlap in their brand identification online.
My Pinterest page of Ideal Home Range spreader set images.
Island Spreaders: Island Heritage, a division of the Madden Corporation, a Hawaiian gift and clothing company, issued about half a dozen Hawaiian-themed spreader sets as souvenirs around 2005 and 2006. These were mostly sets of 2, and at least one set of 4 spreaders.
My Pinterest page of Island Spreader set images.
JCPenney issued at least half a dozen spreader sets, sold in their retail stores.
My Pinterest page of JCPenney Spreader set images.
Joann Fabrics stores have sold at least four different spreader sets of 4 and of 2.
My Pinterest page of Joann Fabrics Spreader set images.
Joie de Vivre, a brand of MSC International of Montreal, Canada, issued a limited number of spreader sets.
My Pinterest page of Joie de Vivre spreader set images.
Kitchen Basics, a line sold by Port-Style Enterprises, a Toronto housewares company, issued at least three different set of 4 spreaders.
My Pinterest page of Kitchen Basics spreader set images.
Kohl’s sold at least two dozen different spreader sets and numerous dip bowl & spreader sets, under the Kohl’s, Sonoma, St. Nicholas Square, and Summer Living labels.
My Pinterest page of Sonoma spreader set images.
My Pinterest page of St. Nicholas Square spreader set images.
Le Gourmet Chef issued several spreader sets, sold in their upscale kitchen stores (the company went out of business in 2019). Le Gourmet Chef spreader blades were generally stamped with the name of the company.
My Pinterest page of Le Gourmet Chef spreader set images.
Licensed spreader sets were issued by various companies, mostly food manufacturers and entertainment companies such as Disney. These are among the most collectable spreader sets, because there are collectors who collect the licensed products of each company.
My Pinterest page of Licensed spreader set images.
Lifestyle Home, a division of Golden Tadco, a Dayton, NJ home products company, issued a small number of spreader sets and at least one spreader house set. They may have purchased the Spreadables trademarked name from nearby NJ company Cardinal, Inc. (or simply used it after the trademark protection expired).
My Pinterest page of Lifestyle Home spreader set images.
Linens ‘n Things issued at least a dozen spreader sets of 4, sold in the company’s stores before it went out of business in 2008.
My Pinterest page of Linens ‘n Things spreader set images.
Mainstreet Collection, a wholesale giftware company in North Carolina has issued probably two dozen mostly ceramic spreader sets, and at least one spreader house set, from 2005 to the present.
My Pinterest page of Main Street Collection spreader set images.
Martha Stewart Collection issued several ceramic-handled spreader sets for Macy’s department store after 2012.
My Pinterest page of Martha Stewart Collection spreader set images.
Mr. Spreader is a line of dozens of spreader sets and spreader house sets issued by Supreme Housewares (see near top of list).
My Pinterest page of Mr. Spreader spreader set images.
Mud Pie, a gift company in Stone Mountain, Georgia has issued at least two dozen, mostly ceramic sets of 2 spreaders, as well as a number of dip bowl & spreader sets. Mud Pie spreaders often have handles that are much larger (perhaps impracticably larger) relative to the spreader blade, than most other spreaders.
My Pinterest page of Mud Pie spreader set images.
Oneida, the venerable cutlery company (est. 1880), has issued at least ten sets of 4 spreaders.
My Pinterest page of Oneida spreader set images.
Out of the Woods of Oregon issued at least 40 different sets of spreaders, which were sold both in the standard cardboard cases, as well as in attractive wood blocks specifically designed and made by the company to hold and display sets of four spreaders.
Click here for More About Out of the Woods of Oregon Spreaders
My Pinterest page of Out of the Woods of Oregon spreader set images.
Pfaltzgraff, the dinnerware company founded in 1889, has issued around ten sets of 2 or 4 spreaders, as well as numerous dip bowl & spreader sets. The set pictured at left depicts the “topsy turvy people” from Jana Kolpen’s 2006 book Circle of Kindness: An Irish Journey of the Heart (Pfaltzgraff made an entire line of dinnerware of that theme).
My Pinterest page of Pfaltzgraff spreader set images.
Pier 1 Imports issued at least half a dozen spreader sets of 4 (although several of their sets are identical to ones made by Boston Warehouse, which likely produced them and allowed Pier 1 to re-label them).
My Pinterest page of Pier 1 spreader set images.
Pottery Barn issued at least half a dozen spreader sets of 2 and 4, as well as several spreader house sets.
My Pinterest page of Pottery Barn spreader set images.
Ranger International was a company located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA that sold children’s tea sets and issued at least a dozen spreader sets of 4, all dated (or at least stamped on the identical blades and printed on the identical boxes) 1996 (the same year the company incorporated). The blades, of a curved, flaring shape, are stamped with “© 1996 Ranger / Made in China” and the boxes are blue with a white dot pattern and labeled “Whimsical” and “Hand-Painted.” (They are often listed for sale online as “Whimsical Spreaders”.)
My Pinterest page of Ranger International spreader set images.
Rite Lite, a wholesale importer and manufacturer of Judaica (Jewish products including gifts, tableware, toys, and ceremonial items), has issued at least five different sets of 4 spreaders, and one dip bowl & spreader set.
My Pinterest page of Rite Lite spreader set images.
Sonoma (not to be confused with Williams-Sonoma) is a line issued by Kohl’s. (See Kohl’s, above).
My Pinterest page of Sonoma spreader set images.
St. Nicholas Square is another line issued by Kohl’s, for their holiday-themed items. (See Kohl’s, above.)
My Pinterest page of St. Nicholas Square spreader set images.
Tag, a Chicago wholesale giftware and furniture company, continues to issue mostly ceramic-handle spreaders, sold in sets as well as individually and with dip bowl & spreader sets.
My Pinterest page of Tag spreader set images.
Target Corporation issued and sold a number of spreader sets, under their own brand name, as well as under names such as Sugar Paper, The General Store, and fashion designer Cynthia Rowley.
My Pinterest page of Target spreader set images.
The Williams-Sonoma kitchenware company issued several dozen elegant spreader sets (not to be confused with Sonoma, a brand of spreaders sold by Kohl’s).
My Pinterest page of Williams-Sonoma spreader set images.