Antiques
Of A
Mechanical Nature
 

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www.Patented-Antiques.com

Larry and Carole Meeker

  Purveyors of
American Patented & Mechanical Antiques

LCM@patented-antiques.com 

530-620-7019

 

 

 

 

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 Patented & Unusual

Antique American Pressing Irons

Our Antique Iron and Laundry sales pages are taking on a new look.  We are now offering for sale many antique and collectible irons and related laundry antiques originating from three great collections---one that focused on small and child-size irons, another that includes a wide array of unusual antique pressing irons and antique laundry / washing collectibles, and another collection of irons that got so large it had to be pared down. 

We are delighted to be able to offer you these collections of irons for sale, and we are proud to be able to participate in disbursing them for our consigners.  The most frequent comment we have heard from these consigners is how much they enjoyed collecting their ironing related antiques over the years.  They have shared great memories of how and where different irons were acquired, and how pleased they are at the thought that the irons they so lovingly collected and preserved are now going to find new homes with another new generation of collectors.

Please keep in mind that although it seems like there are so many irons here to chose from, these irons are by no means frequently found or widely available.  These collections were assembled over decades---for example the Lloyd collection was begun in the 1950's---and when these irons are gone we will not have more of this caliper until the next collection to be disbursed comes around.   

If your buying taste in antique clothing irons leans toward patented American innovative design, then this page is for you.  To see European and other antique irons from around the world please be sure to visit the other pages on this site.

 

American Antique Fluting Irons, Crimpers, Rufflers

Known by a variety of names these antique irons are commonly referred to as pleaters, plaiters, crimpers,  fluters, rufflers or ruffle irons.  The were in their heyday during the mid to late 1800's and they are uniquely American.  This type of antique pressing iron came in several different styles---the machine crank, the rocker style, and the roller style.  Perhaps the most innovative versions of fluting irons are the combinations---a single iron which served a dual function of being a flat iron or a polishing / glossing iron when used in one position which then, by one means or another, converted into a fluting iron

 

Combination Flat / Fluting / Polishing Irons

 

American Antique Box Irons

Nothing must have been worse for the laundress than dirtying up freshly washed linens in a valiant attempt to make them wrinkle-free.  The idea behind the invention of the box iron was to heat something other than the iron itself (usually a piece of solid metal called a slug) which was then inserted into the cavity of the iron body, thereby keeping the bottom of the iron clean and free from the soot and grime that was always on the stovetop.  

 

American Antique Charcoal Heated Irons

Imagine ironing with a flat-bottomed portable woodstove---that was the concept behind charcoal heated irons!  Instead of heating the iron on the stove this form of antique iron acted as the stove itself.  These types of irons typically had features like chimneys, vents, drafts, dampers and other means of dealing with the problems of regulating the heat source and exhausting the smoke.   

 

American Antique Gas / Fuel Irons

Antique self-heating fuel irons incorporate many unique designs and unusual patented features, and they were in their heyday during the early to mid 1900's.  I find the idea of pushing a live flame around on an ironing board to be an intriguing as well as potentially exciting idea.  Coleman irons are perhaps the best known of the gas or liquid fuel irons, but there are many other less frequently found antique and patented fuel irons to be collected.  On this page you will find American antique fuel irons that are powered by gasoline, carbide / acetylene, kerosene, natural gas, whale oil, petroleum, alcohol, and gas-jet heated pressing irons. 

Enameled & Granite Finnish
Antique Gas / Fuel Irons

Books on Irons & Ironing

 

Please let me know if you have unusual antique irons of any type that you would like to sell either outright or on consignment.  I am actively buying and selling unusual and rare flat irons, sadirons, fluting irons, gas or any fuel irons, sleeve irons, child-size or toy irons, slug irons, patented irons, or rare and unusual antique pressing irons of any sort.  Contact me via email at LCM@patented-antiques.com anytime with full details on what you have for sale or consignment!

 

***   We Sell Antiques!   ***

We want to Help you Sell Your quality Antiques   

If you have a single antique, or a collection of antiques to sell Please contact us at LCM@patented-antiques.com giving us your PHONE NUMBER and other contact info and we will get back to you ASAP. 

 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.

please see our FAQ page, the Appraisal / Selling Page and the  Selling Your Collection Pages for further info.

Thanks!!

Larry & Carole