Little Antique Charcoal and Slug Heated

Children's Box Irons

In this day and age of child-proof this and child-safe that it's hard to imagine that a century ago little kids were not just allowed, but actually encouraged to use hot pressing irons like these.  Child-size versions of antique irons showed all the same variations of heat source as did their adult-size counterparts. 

Charcoal was a readily available source of fuel that heated an iron from within, and kept it hot for a good long time.  Can you imagine a child being given the awesome responsibility of ironing with a little "woodstove" in hand!  Not to mention the youngster would have to learn to master the concepts of flue / chimney / and draft. 

Slug heated child's irons required a chunk of raw iron to be heated on the stove or in the fire, and then inserted into the cavity of the iron just as the full size versions did.  Imagine what little child wouldn't let curiosity get the better of common sense, and stick her little hand into the back opening to feel the slug, or accidentally open the back gate only to have the red-hot slug come flying out!  

 

 

2 Little English Box Irons with Slugs    These two little box irons are complete with their perfectly sized little slugs.  They are unmarked as to maker but the style and construction indicates they are English.  These are really handsome antique irons, especially endearing because of their small sizes---the smaller one measures just 3 1/2 inches and the larger one only 4 3/8 inches.  (TC 314)       Click for Pic     Click for Pic    Click for Pic      Click for Pic      GS-SB-2     GS-SB-3 

Excellent.................$95.00 for the larger one     SOLD!

Excellent................$145.00 for the smaller one    SOLD!

 

 

 

Small English Slug Box Iron   This little antique box iron is in super condition.  It is unmarked as to maker but the style and construction indicates it is English.  This style antique iron because of their small size make for a great display.           Click for Pic     Click for Pic     

ML-ES-1

Excellent ........  $175.00

 Order Now

 

 

 

Miniature "Mondragon" Charcoal Iron with Heat Shield    This cast iron antique child-size charcoal iron with chimney is just like the full size model, except it is only 3.75 inches long!  It has all the features of a full-size charcoal iron---a lever to unlatch the hinged top, a damper on the back to regulate the draft of the fire within, and even a heat shield to protect little hands.  The heat shield is embossed with decoration and marked "Mondragon".  A super iron for display and very hard to find.        Click for Pic     Click for Pic     

ML-CB-1

Very Good  ........  $195.00

 Order Now

 

 

Little Brass Box Iron Dated 1827    This 5 inch iron is a really exciting little piece!  From the outside it looks like a fairly typical spade shaped antique brass box iron, but the liftgate opens to reveal a real surprise.  The heat modulator lining the inner bottom surface of the base has the date of 1827 as part of the design or pattern!  A rare iron!!      Click for Pic     Click for Pic      Click for Pic    

GS-SB-4 

Excellent.................$225.00     SOLD!

 

 

 

Small Brass Ox-Tongue Iron    The little brass iron on the left has a wonderful patina and evidence of actual use for some specific ironing task.   It measures just over 3 inches in length.  The swing gate looks like it might have been replaced somewhere in time, but it is very well done. 

Click for Pic    

ML-MOX-1 

Excellent.................$175.00

 Order Now

 

 

Child Size Nickel Plated Charcoal Iron    This is a gorgeous little iron!  It is in wonderful condition and is finely made.  Irons of this design are typically thought to be German or Swiss.  Note the decorative handle support and the overall detailing.  Keep in mind that this little iron measures only 4 5/8 inches long!  It has nearly 100% of it original nickel plating and still retains it's original tiny coal trivet inside.  (ETM 301)       Click for Pic     Click for Pic     GS-CB-2          

Excellent.................$395.00

 Order Now

 

 

Open Handled Miniature Ox-Tongue Iron    This "toy" iron is the very iron that was photographed and pictured in the Tuesday's Children book, and it is authenticated by Judy Politizer, the author herself.  It measures just under 4" in length and has a good deal of its original nickel plating.  It's slug has long gone missing.      (TC 308[b] actual iron photographed)       Click for Pic     GS-SB-7          

Very Good.................$145.00

 Order Now

 

Two Little Ox Tongue Shaped Slug Irons    Only a very small percentage of little irons you see are of this "ox tongue" shaped variety, probably because their manufacture was a lot more complex than casting the standard one-piece spade shaped flatiron.  And in these miniature sizes they are nothing short of adorable, particularly when complete with their original tiny slugs as these two examples are.  Both of these irons are somewhat different from each other.  The one on the left is cast iron while the one on the right is brass.  Both have great patina!         Click for Pic     BCM-38 and BCM-54

Very Good.................$175.00 each

 Order Now

We want to help you sell your quality Antiques in this Category. 

If you have a collection of similar antiques and want further info please see our FAQ page, the Appraisal / Selling Page and the Selling Your Collection Pages for further info.

 

BACK