A. H. Calkins July 15, 1876
Patent Model of Washing Machine This
well-constructed and interested model is made of mahogany and illustrates Mr.
Calkins' idea for an improvement on the typical wringer device commonly seen
over the wash bucket. His idea incorporates a spring loaded roller affair
overtop of the fluted main roller, which I assume the lady of the house would
run the dirty wet clothes through to loosen up the dirt. Oftentimes models
like this are considered to be incomplete, but the fact is that only that part
of the invention for which the patent was being drawn was usually
submitted. It is not improper that the wash bucket and holder for this
device are not present. The remains of the original receiving tag are here
and there is writing on the cross bar identifying it as well. There is a
second set of rollers included that I believe are just a replacement for the set
that are in place. There is no provision for both to be incorporated or
used at the same time.
Very
Good.....$SOLD
1878 Patent Model of Washing Machine Here is another patent model that dramatically shows where America was 125 years ago, and that was out in the laundry Room doing the chores, certainly not sitting in front of a computer or the tube. We have about a dozen or so of these models of our own, and we have seen dozens of others that were designed and submitted during this expansive time in America's history. I find it amazing that life was so simplistic, and yet as evidenced by this model, and all the other inventions of the day, just how complicated and thoughtful these fellows were about making improvements in the lives of their fellow man. I look at these models and the statements they make from a hundred years ago, and it just seems so different and remote from the types of things that we are exposed to today. What model mouse are they selling this year, or what is the latest in toothbrush technology? This model was done by a Mr. J. F. Pond of Cleveland Ohio. What looks to be a rather simplistic and boring mangle style washer is in reality a quite complicated and interesting invention. Not only are there 2 bottom rollers instead of the typical one, they are suspended and floating, being held in place by the 4 springs that you can see at the edges. They have the ability to rock and oscillate as Mr. Pond put it, and even more important, and this is what it seems the patent is actually for, Mr. Pond has incorporated a clutch mechanism into the design that is activated by hitting the lever that the crank goes through. I wonder if they just granted this one, or if they asked Pond why he felt it needed a clutch? This is all explained on the small tag that is included and is in one piece, but has a crease, and the original tag is here also but it is in two pieces, but still readable. Different / One of a Kind, and there isn't another one out there, so stop looking! Good+....$1245.00 SOLD
Feb. 24th 1879 Patent Model of Washing Machine & Tub by W. K. Taylor This is a very nice looking Patent Model. Research has shown that what we really have here is a marriage of an original tagged Patent Model and a replaced wringer mechanism. This model carries not only its original patent tags with the pink ribbon, but also the receiving tag on the side of the tub that authenticates that his is the original model that was submitted to the patent office for this new and wonderful idea back in 1875. The bad news is the the wringer portion of this model must have been lost sometime in the past and that the one now attached to the tub is a later replacement that although similar to the drawings does not match them. I bought this model at auction this way, and that is the way it is going to be sold, a good representation, but not the complete original model that matches the drawings. Excellent ..... $695.00
1848 PATENT MODEL OF COOK STOVE BY D. BUCK I'm not sure if this super and interesting patent model is by anyone having anything to do with the current line of Buck Stoves, but this fellow sure was proud of his name, and embellished and decorated every available panel with scenes of a large deer in the forest. These are not just painted on the surface, they are 3-dimensional. I never pulled the patent, but he has vents and chambers and even a cold air intake on the bottom. In addition to the original tag and red ribbon, the top of the stove is clearly marked "D. Buck's Patent". Overall it measures just under 12" deep by 8" wide and 6 1/2" tall. It is made out of tinned steel with the exterior painted black. The hinged doors and vents are present and operable, and as with many patent models, Mr. Buck didn't bother with the top plates to give you a better and unobstructed view of the inner workings. This is a great example of a one-of-a-kind patent model and a super piece of Americana to boot. It has the added plus of name recognition in today's world, and the artistic endeavors by Mr. Buck are an added bonus rarely seen on such models. Good + ..........$695.00 SOLD
1876 Patent Model of Burglar Door Alarm and
Locking Mechanism Here is a super one of a
kind original Patent Model of a Burglar Alarm & Door Lock Mechanism dating from
1876 which is just incredible. It measures approx. 12 " tall by 10" wide and is
made of a stained wood to resemble a walnut or mahogany. Its provenance is that
it is from the O. Rundle Gilbert Collection, and was sold at the Christies
Auction a few years ago. It has its original patent office receiving tag and
red ribbon, along with a green one from Mr. Gilbert's inventory. There are
remnants of another tag nailed on the model, but most of this one is gone. The
idea from looking at and playing with it a bit is that once you had set it, if
someone were to later jiggle or try and force the handle in either direction the
bell would sound, and at the same time lock the door. It would do this if the
handle was turned in either direction. The dome for the bell is not present,
but that is proper as it would not be needed and would interfere with viewing of
the operation of the model. I have seen a couple of really great patent models
passed over because the perspective buyer did not feel it was complete, when in
actuality it was made that way and submitted like that, to better demonstrate
the model. This is an interesting and desirable piece of Early American
History, and as I said in the beginning it is a one of a kind, so when this one
is gone, there will not be another.
Note: I also have both catalogs from the patent model sales at Christies, and I will sell them for 50.00 Each. Inquire if interested. SOLD
Sept. 3 1867 Patent Model of Oil Dispenser / Can This is an interesting patent model of the type of Oil Dispenser / Can that you occasionally see full-size at old time auctions, or in petroliana museums or collections. You will never have the opportunity to find another one this size with its original patent tags as this is the only one there is. These Patent Models are far rarer than they may seem, and when the small supply that are presently around are gone, there will be no more. These wonderful pieces of Americana are one-of-a-kinds and each one has a story to tell, and should have a place high up on the shelf in your collection or museum. This super piece measures just under 12" tall by about 8" across. It is in super condition, noting the one small dent in the of the name G. H. Hatch, who was from Pomeroy, Ohio. The pump was made to work, and is complete with stop valves, gaskets, and the rest. Oftentimes you see a model of a piece of which you have never seen the actual full-size item, but that is not the case here, and hopefully Mr. Hatch made a lot of money with his idea. Good +...... $995.00 SOLD
Patent
Model from 1865 of Leather Skiver or Splitter
The nickel plated copper plaque or tag says that
the inventor, A Mr. Marsh was from Indianapolis Indiana, and that the name he
picked for his machine was Eureka. The idea here was that the thickness of the
material was set by moving the large flat table under the knife on a sloped
track to achieve different thicknesses. I have not pulled the papers for this
one and so do not know much else other than the fact that it must have been a
bitch going up against the crowd over in Newark with any new ideas about how to
do something with leather for if they did not already, in a few more years they
would have a near monopoly on the manufacture of such devices. Different at the
least, and surely rare as I certainly have not run into any full size examples
of this machine. Good
+...... $ 1295.00 SOLD
A Model of a Overshot Waterwheel & Mill This is a very nicely done representation or model of a overshot waterwheel or as the label says it is sometimes called a Pitchback Wheel. The card that is at the bottom left says that this was done by a Edwin F. Bristol in 1881 when he was 80 some years old. It was donated by his wife, but it is not clear to whom. In any case it , like many other gifts to museums and historical societies was de-accessioned and this example ended up here in California in my museum. It is well done and in pretty good condition, but there is some evidence that there has been some modification to the outside corners. Perhaps there was a shed roof or the like at some point. We will never know. Also included with this wheel I have a 2 story representation of a grain mill / grinding wheel arrangement set up in an open framed barn type area, the idea being that the waterwheel drove this thing, and thus showed the audience how it was done back then in upstate New Hampshire. I got them together and I will sell them together or separate. Good +...... $ 1270.00 pr. SOLD