Rumford Advertising Potato Baking Rack

This is an antique tin potato baker, a primitive kitchen tool from the early 1900s designed to help potatoes cook faster and more evenly in the oven. It consists of a long, narrow metal strip, measuring about 15 inches long and 2 1/4 inches wide, that is divided into several sections. Each section features a punched-out, stand-up tab intended for skewering a potato, allowing heat to penetrate the center of the vegetable while it bakes.

The baker is an advertising piece for Rumford Baking Powder, with the words "RUMFORD THE WHOLESOME BAKING POWDER" prominently embossed on its surface. It also includes a patent date of August 17, 1909, which is visible on some versions of the tool. A wire handle loop is attached to the top end, making it easy to hang for storage when not in use. This specific example shows a darkened, rustic patina with some visible surface rust, characteristic of aged tin kitchenware.