Abacus
Antique Dealers: Collecting Antique Irons
American
country irons flourished from 1850 to 1950. The most
common early irons were cast in one piece and weighed
from five to seven pounds. In the nineteenth century,
they were found in every country home and were heated
on cast iron stoves. They are commonly called “flat”
or “sad” irons. “Sad” is an archaic
word meaning “dense” or “heavy.”
Primitive
irons are in a class by themselves, exuding an air
of innocence. They were shaped by blacksmiths. They
cost little when first made, but the best examples
are marvelous finds for today’s collector. An
iron still revealing the mark of a hammer speaks the
drama of its creation in every line. In country homes
of the last century, people did their own work. Each
person had a job. Ironing was part of the circle of
life. Washing was on Monday. Tuesday was ironing day.
While Mother did the family ironing, daughter was
busy pressing dolls’ clothes. Play was training
for the child’s adult responsibilities. Those
toy irons are the focus of some of the most appealing
collections. Little irons are four inches or less.
Hundreds of different examples offer an opportunity
for almost unlimited variety. They occupy a small
space and are evocative of childhood innocence.
A
collection of irons can be color-infused with ancillary
washday items: soap packages, bluing bottles, starch
boxes and various patent products. Clothes sprinkler
bottles are another way to introduce a bright spot.
The colorful bottles are found in a marvelous congregation
of figural characters. They happily coexist with irons.
Antique
irons of surprising beauty and diversity are still
available at affordable prices. Places to look: flea
markets, antique shows, dealers and garage sales.
Wonderful finds are coming out of attics and basements.
Sad irons may be the starting point of any collection,
but learn the different types: charcoal, box, sleeve,
polishers, fuel, fluters and others. After getting
a core collection of common irons, acquire a hunger
for rare and special irons. As an example, the Geneva
rocking fluter patented in 1866 is usually an early
acquisition. But, instead of being satisfied with
the most common rocking fluter, add the more desirable
Improved Geneva Fluter. Then look for other rocking
fluters: The Star, The Lady Friend, Elgin, and The
Erie with its detachable handle. Don’t neglect
the other types of fluters. The rolling fluter uses
a roller instead of a rocker. Two common names are
American Machine, Doty, Sundry and Shepard. The machine
fluter accomplishes the same task with the turn of
a crank. Collectors know the names of Knox, Osborne,
American, Royal, Manville and Star.
The
same in-depth spectrum can be realized with fuel irons,
detachable handles, or any antique iron category.
Look for the rare, different and the unusual. Even
the basic sad iron has examples of fascinating attempts
to keep the hand cool. Some handles were slotted for
ventilation and air flow. Watch for spiral uprights,
coiled handles, and folded uprights. These are rare
and desirable. Combination irons, capable of doing
more than one type of ironing job, reflect the nineteenth
century’s fascination with inventions and gadgets.
They are found as sad/ fluters and charcoal /fluters.
Watch for these hybrids. They are loved by collectors.
Gasoline
and kerosene irons arrived early in this century and
were welcomed because they were a vast improvement
over earlier irons. Some Coleman irons, in particular,
have beautiful colored porcelain bodies and matching
grips. Early electric irons didn’t arrive in
the country until rural electrification brought electric
power outside the city. Sometimes salesmen would follow
the newly-strung wires looking for customers. The
oldest electric irons have porcelain connections and
two-wire twisted cord.
Although
lacking elegance and refinement, old-fashioned irons
have a warmth of character making them collectible
and lovable.
