Detail of aluminum tray, pierced rim in chrysanthemum design. Marked "Forman Family," c. 1930-1940.

More information "Aluminum by Design" catalogue. Available from Cooper-Hewitt Museum Gift Shop, 2 East 91st St., New York, NY 10128, $45 softcover. "Hammered Aluminum" by Dannie A. Woodard. Lists makers and marks. Aluminum Collector's Books. PO Box 1346, Weatherford, TX 76086. Also publishes newsletter.

What comes to mind with the word aluminum? Chances are you picture breadbaskets and trays in a variety of shapes, mostly with floral designs. The current exhibit at New York's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum will change your mind. It is sure to add not only knowledge but also a new concept, guaranteed to raise prices and rev up a new generation of collectors.

There has always been a dedicated group of aluminum collectors but prices have stayed modest considering the craftsmanship involved. And, collecting has centered mostly on utilitarian pieces. American names like Wendel August and Arthur Armour are well known but what about Bruce Fox and the Cellini shop in Evanston, Ill.?

Or for that matter, how about the designers such as Eero Saarinen, who used aluminum in his 1950s furniture designs, or George Steedman, whose garden furniture of the 1930s is museum worthy? Whatever the names, aluminum has come a long way since the 1850s when it was considered "a marvel of science."

From 1856-1862 aluminum was made in such limited quantities that it was considered rare. During that time it was so valued that when made into jewelry it was combined with gold and other precious metals. Even perfume bottles combined aluminum with a variety of materials such as gold and glass. Unfortunately by 1862 it had fallen from fashion.

Before it lost the appeal of newness, architects such as Frederick Osterling used aluminum leaf for trim in the Henry Clay Frick Pittsburgh home.

By the turn of the century aluminum had moved from elegance to everyday items such as combs and exercise machines.

English designers were making such humble items as biscuit boxes in the early 20th century.

Interest was stirred up in 1932 by the Philadelphia Museum of Art exhibit of contemporary industrial art. Aluminum tables, lamps, chairs, Venetian blinds and kitchen utensils introduced the public once again to aluminum. Russel Wright, primarily known as a pottery designer, even created an aluminum breakfast room.

Aluminum began to be seriously used as cookware as early the 1890s when it was cast and stamped. Among the first manufacturers were Pittsburgh Reduction Co. (later Alcoa), Wagnerware and Illinois Pure Aluminum Co.

The Century of Progress International Exposition, Chicago, 1932, offered a variety of aluminum souvenirs that included playing cards. Until the beginning of World War II every bride received at least one aluminum wedding gift.

CLUES: Many 19th century pieces go unrecognized as being aluminum because people don't expect to find antique opera glasses, cruet stands and jewelry made of aluminum. Collector Harvey Hesse, a longtime Fort Lauderdale dealer, has some tips for beginning collectors.

"Collecting by pattern is hot," he says, "And fast sellers are large serving pieces. The older the piece the better."

He also points out that rare items like candlesnuffers and pieces combined with other materials keep rising in value. An example would be candleholders with jade green, Bakelite handles. Any small pieces of furniture, like the modular tables designed by Isamu Noguchi in 1954, command top dollar for this genre. Remember, if it almost looks like silver but isn't - think aluminum.