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Antique Fluting Iron Sales Archives
"Banner"
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
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
Shepard
Roller Fluter The Shepard Hardware Co. was
prolific, and you could make a career out of just collecting their
fluters to acquire all the numerous variations. This model is not
marked with their name, but the roller, designed with their trademark
diamond-shaped vent holes and marked with the "Patd 1880" date
is theirs. The "Patented Dec. 17, 1878" mark on the
bottom of the base is a Shepard patent date. Not one that
frequently turns up, this base is rather unique being comprised of a
fluter plate and heating slug that are cast separately and then riveted
together. This roller fluter still retains much of its original
finish.
Very Good............$65.00 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
Johnson's Cross-Wise Roller Fluter
Here is another example of an inventor who went to great lengths to devise a
fluter variation of imaginative design but of questionable utility. In the
late 1800's most manufacturers were producing roller fluters with lengthwise
orientations. This fellow revised the design of the flutes on the roller itself
so it could be rolled across the wider dimension of the fluter plate rather than
along the narrower length. If the idea was to allow a wider area of fabric to
be fluted with each roll, the concept was brilliant but one fatal flaw was
overlooked---the width of the roller was not correspondingly increased to the
wider size, so there would have been no significant gain in productivity!
Nonetheless the fluter was marketed as Johnson's patent, probably with little
more than marginal success as they are infrequently found. This example is
marked with the Johnson name both on the handle of the roller and on the tab of
the fluter plate. The fluting portion of the roller is a lead-based metal, the
handle itself is black japanned iron, as is the matching and decorative trivet.
The roller plate is also of a lead-based material, and the underside of it is
ribbed to accept a likewise-fitted heating slug, which in this example is no
longer present. The opportunity to own this unusual style fluter comes few and
far between.
Very
Good.................$125.00
SOLD
Unusual Hinged Roller Fluter
This unmarked example remains somewhat of a mystery as to its manufacturer. It
is unusual in that the design and construction of its base and fluter plate are
hinged together without pins. Instead, there are two slots cast into the base
that accept the two tabs which are cast into the design of the plate. The 2
1/4" diameter roller is somewhat Shepard Hardware Co.-like in appearance, but
that is just speculation on my part and could probably be disputed. What won't
be disputed is the fine craftsmanship of the piece and the outstanding
condition. It has not been over-cleaned and boasts a wonderfully mellow surface
appearance, with the base still retaining 95% of its original gold wash. The
slug has long since been left behind, but that in no way detracts from this
unusual piece. Very
Good........$125.00
SOLD
North Bros. Roller Fluter Fluters are getting harder and harder to find, and no collection is complete without this classic from North Bros., the famous Philadelphia manufacturer. This firm is renowned for their cast iron products and tools which helped fill every American consumer's needs nearly 100 years ago. The nickel plating on this piece is super, the casting is smooth and evenly patina'd. There is no slug, and there is a wonderful burn mark on the wooden handle as a testament to the labor or love required of the housewife of this period in order to maintain her family's well-dressed image. It's a nice one! Good+ ..... $75.00 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
Griswold's
"The Erie Fluter" 3-pc Fluting Iron The Griswold Manufacturing Company of Erie, PA
produced some of the finest quality cast iron housewares of any manufacturer of
it's day or ever since. Perhaps best known for their cast iron cookware,
they actually produced a wide variety of other cast iron kitchenware and other
household necessities, including irons, trivets and this 3-piece fluting iron.
In keeping with the high quality of workmanship of their entire line, the
casting on this removable handle rocker fluter is flawless. This fluter
was available in two different finishes, a nickel plated version and this one,
the model with the iron finish. Unlike most examples that are found, this one
looks like it was never used and never heated, still retaining all of the
original gold striping on the base and traces of it on the rocker top as well.
There is very slight evidence of wear to the black japanning on the removable
handle, but it appears to be more from age than from use. It latches with
a tight, secure fit to the rocker top. The Erie Fluter name and decoration
that are cast into the rocker top are strong and crisp. The top plate has
the proper #298 pattern number and the bottom plate is marked with it #297.
This fluter displays really well!
Excellent..........$200.00 SOLD
Patented
Indicator Fluter with
Temperature Gauge
At first glance this piece looks
like a typical roller fluter, but when you look closely you see
there is a pointer built into one end that indicates whether or not you
are about to scorch your good shirt. Not a thermometer per say, but
within the fluting base is a piece of steel that moves as it gets hot to
make for a heat-activated gauge. This same fellow also manufactured
an indicator spade-shaped flatiron under the same patent, but I don't
imagine either were very much of a commercial success given the few of
them that you come across. It was kind of a goofy
idea as it probably didn't tell you the fluter was too hot until it was
too late to matter. This fluting has been in our collection for a
number of years---we were happy to find it one day at
Brimfield, just a few steps ahead of the four other die-hard iron collectors
who were there.
Very Good..............SOLD