Posted 8 years ago
StacyEW
(183 items)
5" long old fashion iron. It is missing the top part & I can't quit make out what is lettered on it. I think it is a stove top clothes iron, although I’m too young to have actually used one myself…
Can anyone tell me more about this piece of history?
The only thing I can read on there is the word "PATENTED". These types of irons, known as flat or sad irons,and usually date to Victorian times. There are very many of them still around.
http://www.oldandinteresting.com/antique-irons-smoothers-mangles.aspx
Should be able to find the patent information on this one.
Use google patents and search using the dates.
Looks to be MAR or MAY of 1893 or possibly 1883.
With a little effort you should be able to find it.
scott
I think they had the weight on them so there could be interchangeable for the type of fabric they were pressing. They also put them in water and used a press cloth to get up some steam. My grandmother left home at 15 (1902) and got a job as a pleater at the" City (Chicago) Dye Works"--a very hard job, especially in the summer. No air-conditioning. She took her warm press cloth and put it over the the thermometer. When it got a certain temperature in the place he sent the girls home! He was a drinker and wouldn't take a drink over a certain temperature. My grandmother used the trick a lot to the delight of the girls slinging those irons.
All very good info! Thank you all so much!!! Efesgirl, scottvez & PCC - Bless you all!
My grandma use to tell tails very similar PostCardCollector.
So glad I was not born in that era.