Antique &
Vintage Fluting
Irons
Past Sales Archives
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Electric Fluting Iron by Maxant
From
the 1860's thru the 1890's numerous pleaters, hand fluting irons, and
hand-crank machine fluters were granted US patents, each using one of several
methods to heat the fluter rolls or plates. Most incorporated iron lugs
or slugs which were heated in the fireplace or on a coal, wood or oil
stove. A few other fluting devices were made to be heated over a kerosene
or gas burner, or over an alcohol lamp. The Maxant Button & Supply
Co. of Chicago, according to the late and great antique pressing iron
researcher and author Esther Berney, was the first to insert an electric
element into their fluting iron to provide the heat source. The year was
1921 and electricity was on the way in---unfortunately by that time the pleated
and ruffled fashions and styles that required the job of a fluter were quickly
going out of style. The Maxant slogan that appeared in their ads for
electric fluters, "Built for years of perfect fluting", was wishful
thinking on their part. Comparably few of these "new" electric
fluting irons were ever produced and sold, explaining their relative scarcity
today. This particular Banner fluting iron is not one of the examples
pictured in any of the reference books on irons. It has the
characteristic V-belt groove in the wheel, enabling it to be power-driven as
well as cranked by hand. It utilizes a heating element that runs through the
upper 7 3/4" roll and included are the remnants of the original electric
cord and a wonderful black porcelain plug that connects to the element.
But what is most unusual about this electric fluter is the gearing device that
increases the efficiency of each turn of the crank and controls the
speed. It is a triple-geared affair that is attached to the frame and the
effortless cranking of the handwheel that it provides is a textbook study of
applied physics in
action!
Very
Good ...........$350.00
SOLD
Chandler
Motorized & Electrically Heated Machine Fluter
This has to be one of the latest and largest of
all machine fluters ever made. I am guessing it is from the 30's or later and
that it was made for use in the movie studios or film industry. Or
perhaps for use in a wig factory or something like that. Surely by the
time this was made women were done fluting hubby's shirts before he went off
to work.
This is the second time I have seen this fluter. I have never seen another. Hummmm???? Well that is because this fluter originally came from the Glissman collection which we bought a number of years ago, and Al Russell was the lucky buyer at the auction we had in Indianapolis. Now I am selling it again. He had driven there, so carrying it home was not a big deal on that trip as this thing must weigh 70 lbs or so. Taking it with him on the next journey was not an option and probably not an option for many of us. He enjoyed it immensely, and now it is your chance to as well.
This piece is in near mint condition and turns along at a nice even pace when plugged in. It has a gear system and transmission that gives it all the power it needs to run off the little Chandler motor seen. A super piece of Ironing history and technology that was way ahead of its time, and yet seems out of time. RARE!!!
Very Good ..... $SOLD!
PR-225
Belgian
Electric Goffering Iron These unusual goffering irons almost never
show up in the US. This is the first example I have ever seen in person. It would revolve
with the arms holding the material while the small rods would make the formed
ruffle when the operator pushed the top arm back and forth. There is no
cord. Very Rare!!
Good ........ $SOLD!
BC-EG1
Clamp-On
Companion Fluter The Companion
Fluting Iron is unique in two regards. It is one of just a handful
of machine-type crank fluters designed
with an integral clamp to securely attach it to the edge of
the worktable, thereby attempting to solve what undoubtedly was the problem of
the "roaming" tabletop fluter. And the second unusual
feature is that rather than having the more typical brass rollers, on
the Companion Fluter they are all cast iron. This particular example is in
extra nice condition, still retaining most of its original black paint
and much of its pretty gold decoration and scrollwork, including the
"Companion" name on the top bar. On the handle,
stenciled in gold, are traces of the names of the patentees, or perhaps
it is the manufacturer; it reads, ".....Shipman ...... Holly
...... etc." In both rarity and
condition, this one is a true "top shelf" piece!
Excellent................$450.00
SOLD
"Crown Jewel" Antique Fluter
The Crown Jewel is another machine fluting / crimping iron with a fancy base
that attests to its Victorian-era pedigree. It has a unique lever mechanism
to raise and lower the upper fluting roll, and a fair amount of original
gold decoration remains on the scalloped-edge base, including traces of the
name "Crown Jewel".
Good + ..............$175.00
SOLD
Susan R. Knox Patent Machine
Fluter Mrs. Knox was a prolific
inventor of fluting machines, and there are numerous variations of her
designs to be collected. This example is the version that was manufactured
by Lowerre & Tucker of Newark, NJ. It is in extremely fine condition with
most of the original gold stenciling remaining. I have included several
close-up pictures so you can see just how great all of the decoration is, as
well as all of the lettering of the patent information that is stenciled on
the base. If condition is important to your collecting focus, this
125-year old antique fluter is certain to please!
Excellent ..............$225.00
SOLD
Miniature Eagle Machine
Fluter The dimensions of this, the
smallest manufactured machine fluter, measure just 5 1/2" x 3 3/4" x 4 1/2"
tall. The rollers are only 3 1/2" long. It's diminutive size and
uniqueness make it a must-have for the serious collection. As good as the
little Sauerbier machine fluter that sold at auction last year for an
unheard of sum, though just a little bigger, and a whole lot cheaper! And
the condition of this little Eagle fluter is super to boot!
Very Good ............... $450.00
SOLD
Clamp On Fluting Tongs
We
found this unusual fluting iron in a shop in Upstate New York and we were not even sure
exactly what it was, but it looked a little different and I could afford
it, and the rest is history.
This unusual fluting iron is an prime example of the value of joining one the many
collector clubs that revolve around any given category of antique or
collectible that you are interested in.
In a short time, and with just a few queries, we were in possession of a copy of the patent
papers which showed this gem to be exactly what we had hoped---an early
clamp-on, foot-operated fluting tong iron. A
rare example that I am pretty sure that not many of which were made, as it was one
of the more impractical patents ever pulled for a fluting iron. In
operation, you were supposed to have a small lit flame going at the end,
heating the small rods as
you were moving the fabric along. Different
to say the least! Very Good ............... $450.00
SOLD
The Osborne Patented Machine
Fluter The C.S. Osborne Co. of
Newark, NJ is a name that is familiar to collectors and users of antique
leatherworkers tools. The same company was also the manufacturer of this
unusual fluting machine, recognizable by it unique "steering wheel" fluter
roll tensioner. This model is the earlier of the two produced by Osborne,
the later one having a lever tensioning device instead of the wheel. This
early example is in super condition and exhibits the quality workmanship the
Osborne company is known for. It is complete with both of its original
slugs, which measure about an inch in diameter, considerable larger than
most other typical machine fluter slugs. Another nice detail is that the
rollers are designed with hinged brass end caps, which help to retain the
slugs themselves and the heat that they would have radiated. And they are
nicely marked with the manufacturer's info and the early 1866 patent date.
This fluter is one that is rarely offered for sale except out of long-time
collections.
Excellent ............... $295.00
SOLD
Peerless Machine Fluter
Here is an example of a hand-crank machine fluter that combines fancy
Victorian design with an unusual roller tensioner. Rather than applying
pressure from above onto the top roller in the manner of many of the fluters
of the day, the inventor of this machine devised a spring that presses
against the bottom roller by means of a screw that is tightened down against
the fluter base. Brass rollers measure 4" long, and in good overall
condition, this one is yet another example of the many inventive designs
that characterized this short-lived period of ironing history.
Good + ..............$175.00
SOLD
Star Machine Fluter
It is rare these days to find a machine fluter that still retains most of
the original gold and red paint that makes it such a pleasure to look at and
display. This is a piece for the discerning collector who realizes just how
important condition is. It is one of those few that somehow managed to not
just survive the past 120 years, but to survive and retain its excellent
original condition. The base still shows the gold band with red trim as
well as the gold highlighting on the raised cast lettering along with
decorative gold pinstriping here and there. This great looking machine
fluter is marked with the Star name as well as the star symbol, and it
sports four different patent dates. The 6" brass rollers feature unusually
fine corrugations used to make extra-fine flutes. If you are looking for
one you can proudly display, I guarantee you won't be disappointed with the
condition of this one.
Excellent ..............$175.00
SOLD
Champion Machine Fluter
Numerous
machine fluter patents were issued in America during the later part of the 19th
century, each inventor thinking he or she had a better idea. In fact,
many were quite similar to each other in general design and concept. The
Champion Machine Fluter, on the other hand, was conceived with an interesting
and unusual tensioning device that sets it apart from many of the others of its
day. This good-looking hand-crank fluting machine features a
lever-activated tensioner in the base of the fluter, which uses the lower
roller to put pressure against the upper one rather than the more typical
arrangement with the upper roller putting pressure against the lower. You
can see the spring tensioner only when you turn the machine upside down, as the
tensioning device is located on the underside of the base---the lever that
controls it extends out through the top side of the base to allow the tension
to be easily applied or released and locked into place. A thumbscrew
affair on the opposite side of the base was used to increase or decrease the
tension. This example is in real nice condition still retaining some of
its decorative gold and red pinstripe decoration including the Champion
name. It's a good one!
Very Good ..... $225.00 SOLD
Union
Machine Fluter This Union machine fluter is in super
condition. Note the design with the unusual auxiliary table to support the work. It has
a built in clamp as well. A nice fluter in nice condition!!
Good + ........ $125.00 SOLD!
PR-1121
Small
Adams Patent Machine
Fluter This is a very unusual machine fluter.
The tension between the rollers was designed to be activated with a cord and was
foot operated. I have seen this fluter in a larger size with "Adams
Patent" stenciled on the top rail. This one has 4" rollers and a very fine profile
to the flutes.
Nice and different!
Good + ........ $325.00 SOLD!
PR-875
We want to help you sell your quality Antiques in this Category.
This is just a sample of the many antiques
we have sold from this website. If you have similar antiques you want to sell
Contact Us.
For further info
on selling your antiques with us please
see our
FAQ page, the
Appraisal /
Selling Page and the
Selling
Your
Collection Pages.
Looking to Buy
Similar Antiques?
To see similar antiques we are
currently offering for sale on this Website go
BACK to
Patented-Antiques.com
or
Click link to see other
Sales Archive Pages on this
Site.