Figural "swan irons" are one of the most highly
sought-after categories of collectible little pressing or sad irons.
Because of their popularity with collectors these miniature sad
irons have been reproduced, but it is generally easy to distinguish the old
from the new by looking at the quality of the casting, the smoothness of the
bottom, and the presence (or lack of) the flattened bump on the chest where
the excess iron from the mold pouring was broken or filed off. They come
in a range of sizes with the largest 5" or so and the smallest about 1"
being the hardest to find. Original paint is also very desirable to find.
A Special Flock
Swan Irons came in a near endless variety of sizes
shapes colors and other variations.
Al Russell liked finding small irons more than anything else, and he bought a lot of them. He had a good eye and a great memory as there were not a lot of duplicates in the over 300 mini irons he had in his collection. He loved the little swans and bought every variation he could find. It is incredible to have this many, in this good condition, all together at one time.
Paint
Decorated Blue Swan Iron This is a nice condition toy Swan
iron. Most are found with no finish remaining at all. This 2 7/8"
example is one of the larger models found, and has a lot of original blue finish
remaining. A super nice piece!
Excellent ........ $195.00 SOLD!
PR-968
Paint
Decorated Red & Yellow Swan Iron This is a super nice condition
1 7/8" toy Swan iron with original finish---a yellow body with black highlights
and traces of red on the handle. A really nice piece!
Excellent ........ $195.00
PR-909
Paint
Decorated Swan Iron This is a super nice condition 1 3/4"
toy Swan iron with original black finish. Examples
under 2" are much harder to find than their medium-size cousins. A nice
piece!
Excellent ........ $195.00
PR-923
2
Little Swan Irons with Original Paint on Trivets Finding little swan irons with original paint is a treat and a boost to any
antique collection! The swan on the left with yellow paint measures 2
3/4". The features are very well-defined. The smaller one on the
right measures 2". It sports original gold paint and the features are
a bit less defined.
Click for Pic Click for Pic Click for Pic
Left..........Excellent............ SOLD!
Right..........Excellent..........$95.00
GS-MI132 GS-MI159
3
Cast Iron 2 3/4" Child's Swan Irons This is also a nice selection
of these miniature swan irons. They are all approx 2 3/4" models.
Each is a slightly different size in detail. All are vintage and not reproductions.
The makers of these toy swan irons took pride in their work and the castings
are very smooth and detailed. Each has the distinctive gate mark on the
breast which use to be the tell to identify the reproductions. There are
other ways, but in general the castings of those newer ones is almost always
inferior. Start or add to your own flock!
Left to right
#1 .... Good +........ $50.00 PR-904 SOLD!
#2 .... Good + ........ $40.00 PR-911
#3 .... Good +........ $40.00 PR-914
White
Paint Decorated Swan Iron This is a super nice condition
toy Swan iron with original finish. A nice
piece!
Good +........ $125.00
PR-917
Cast
Iron Child's Swan Irons This is a nice selection of these miniature
swan irons. They are all approx. 2" models. Each is slightly different
in detail. This is the size swan that is most often found as a "repop",
but all four of these are guaranteed vintage and not reproductions. The
makers of these early toy swan irons took pride in their work and the castings
are very smooth and detailed. In general the castings of those newer
ones is almost always inferior.
Left to right
#1 .... Good + ........ $40.00 PR-908
#2 .... Good + ........ $40.00 PR-919
#3 .... Good + ........ $40.00 PR-920
#4 .... Good +........ $40.00 PR-922
We can help you sell your quality Antiques in this and other categories of Antiques.
If you have similar antiques or collectibles you want to sell please see our
FAQ Page, the
Appraisal / Selling Page, and the
Selling
Your Collection Pages for further info about
selling with us.
To view examples of the types of antiques and collectibles we have previously
sold and are always interested in helping you sell please visit our
Past
Sales Archive Pages at our sister website
www.AntiqBuyer.com.
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(1998 - 2009)
Larry & Carole Meeker