Pyrex Profile - Autumn Harvest (1979)

Introduced mid-1979, Autumn Harvest displays a classic wheat design in rich tones of orange and rust with a pattern in pale beige.  Not only was it available in ovenware and nesting bowls, but a selection of Tabletop Ware and Store ‘N’ See canisters was launched the following year.  A popular pattern, it was in production until 1986 when it was discontinued along with the bulk of the Pyrex line of opal ware.  This pattern was designed by artist Richard Hora.

Strictly speaking this is not a Corelle pattern, and it was never designated as one of the ‘Compatibles’.  In 1980 however, matching Tabletop Ware was introduced, which was unusual.  Since 1972 the Compatibles Tabletop Ware items had been made only for Corelle patterns.  Although Autumn Harvest strongly resembles Corelle’s Harvest Home (1981), they were not officially promoted as complementary products, but for a short time they were contemporary with each other. 

401 & 402 Round Nesting Bowls, 471 Round Casserole, 945 Oval Casserole

The colour scheme of the complete sets alternates between orange and rust.  There are some question marks over why some rust coloured pieces appear to be a medium brown-rust shade and some are a darker red-rust shade.  It is a subtle difference, but it is apparent with a close comparison.  The reason for this variance remains a mystery, and it may or may not be deliberate.  It simply could be due to quality differences too.

Another anomaly is the existence of round nesting bowls, in four sizes, all in rust instead of alternating orange and rust.  The answer to this probably lies in the fact that each of the bowls in the 400 Series were available for individual sale as well as in sets of three and four.  This was first offered in 1980 and it continued for at least five years.  It seems that all four sizes sold singly were offered in rust only, whereas the boxed sets included orange 401s & 403s and rust 402s & 404s. 

Beginning in 1980 and through the early 1980s the 474 and 475 casseroles were sold individually with the numbers 484 and 485 respectively on the boxes.  Normally when the 474 was sold in a set it was orange, but when it was sold singly it was decorated in the rust shade.

In 1978, prior to Autumn Harvest's introduction, a brown 945 oval casserole with a tan design appeared as a special promo item.  It was named "Wheat" and it came with a rectangular wooden trivet.

The 471 casserole at top is a medium brown-rust, the 402 bowl at bottom is a darker red-rust.  The 401 at right is orange.

Nesting Bowls:

Sets:

300 Series Round – 401- 403 – orange, rust, orange

400 Series Round – 401- 404 – orange, rust, orange, rust

440 Series Cinderella – 441 - 444 – orange, rust, orange, rust

Singles:

Round 401, 402, 403 or 404 – all rust

Ovenware:

Round Cinderella Casseroles (470 Set) – 471 – 473 – rust, orange, rust

Round Cinderella Casseroles (460 Set) – 473 & 474 – rust, orange

Round Cinderella Casseroles (480 Set) – 473 – 475 – rust, orange, rust

Round Cinderella Casserole (484 or 485 Set) - 474 or 475 - both rust

Oval Casserole – 943/043 - orange

Oval Casserole – 945/045 - brown - alternate colour scheme, brown with a tan design, called "Wheat".  A 945 in the standard colour scheme was not made.

Refrigerator Dishes – 501 rust (no pattern), 502 orange, 503 rust

Related Articles: 

Comparing Autumn Harvest & Harvest Home
1981 Brochure - Pyrex Ware
1982 Catalogue - Pyrex Ware 
Who designed the patterns?
Why name Pyrex mixing bowls after Cinderella?