Iron

Description: Black triangular iron with stone-like insert. The surface of the iron is bumpy. The handle of the iron consists of two pieces of malleable metal that are attached to the front and back of the triangular piece. Connected to both pieces is a 10.5 cm long wooden handle grip. On the back side of the…

Description: Black triangular iron with stone-like insert. The surface of the iron is bumpy. The handle of the iron consists of two pieces of malleable metal that are attached to the front and back of the triangular piece. Connected to both pieces is a 10.5 cm long wooden handle grip. On the back side of the iron is a rectangular opening. A rectangular metal plate covers the opening from the inside. This metal plate slides up and down through a slot on the top of the iron. It is attached to a wire loop that goes through a metal tube attached to the handle. Inside the iron is a triangular piece of stone-like material that measures 10 cm X 7.7 cm.

Narrative: 1902 Sears Catalogue. 'The Good Old Days' by David L. Cohn 'A Collectors Guide To Pressing Irons and Trivets' by Esther S. Berney, p.10.

History Of Use: Sadiron which was heated over a and used for ironing clothes. The heat of the sadiron was tested with a bit of spit on the finger. Irons such as this one were patented in 1738 by Isaac Wilkinson and used after that time. This iron operated on the principle that a heated "lug" of iron was inserted into the box cavity and was surrounded by heated air which heated the iron. Apparently, this type of iron was still sold in 1940's catalogues in England.