Two
Different Patented Enterprise Little Irons
Enterprise called this model iron "The Star". The idea behind the "holes"
in the handle of these two children's irons was to ventilate and thereby cool
the handle to keep it comfortable to touch while the iron was in use.
Enterprise used this handle style on their full size irons as well as on these
little ones, and called it a "cold handle". The 1877 patent date that's
marked on both of them refers to the perforated handle. The iron on the left
measures 4" and it's holes go all the way through. The smaller iron on
the right measures just a tad over 3.5 inches and it's holes are double indents
rather than through-holes. Both of these irons are complete with their
proper matching Star trivets.
(TC170, TC171[b])
Click for Pic
Excellent.................$110.00
for the bigger one
GS-DP-4
Excellent.................$150.00
for the smaller one
SOLD!
GS-DP-5
Order
Now
Little
Enterprise with Hole-in-the-Handle Irons This was the
Enterprise Mfg. Co. of Philadelphia’s child-size version of their ventilated
cold-handle iron. There is another version of this little iron where the
holes are just indents from both sides, but these two are the model where the
holes go clear through all the way. But these two are different from each
other---take your pick from the nickel plated one on the right or the dark iron
finish one on the left.
Click for Pic
BCM-203
Left..........Good
+.................$75.00
Right..........Very Good.................$95.00
Order Now
Enterprise
Child Size Toy Sad Iron
This is the version where the
handle has double-sided "indents" rather than true vent holes. It measures
just 2 3/4" long.
Good ........ $20.00
SOLD!
PR-1251
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Now
Enterprise
Child Size Toy Sad Iron
This is a different version of their 2 3/4" little
iron with the indented handle. Note the "faux" screw in the middle of
the base. The example still has traces of original gold wash on top.
Good + ........ $35.00
SOLD!
PR-1247
Order
Now
Variations
of "The Pearl" Child-size Iron
It's great fun to collect all the different variations of little irons.
The more frequently found iron called "The Pearl" is the one in the center,
with the more decorative cast iron cap. It's a mainstay in every collection,
and rightly so given it's good looks. The other two Pearls shown here
are more "plain" looking, but actually much more rare. The little Pearl
on the left measures just 3 inches long and has a base that is about half the
thickness of the other two. Though the cap is cast iron it does not have
the decoration seen on the more frequently found version. It's by no means
an easy iron to find and the diminutive size makes it all the more endearing.
The Pearl on the right is the same size as the center example, and at first
glance it looks to be just a larger model of the small undecorated one.
But unlike the small one its cap is sheet steel rather than cast iron.
I can't say I have ever seen this iron before so I think that tells you something
about its rarity. Both it and the iron in the center measure just under
4 inches. You just don't find all these little variations except in longtime
collections. (TC 258[a],
TC257)
Click for Pic
Click for Pic
Click for Pic
Click for Pic
Excellent ..... Left
$225.00 GS-DP-2
Center ..... $65.00
SOLD!
GS-DP-3
Right ..... $225.00
GS-DP-3b
Order Now
Rare
Large Size "Jewel # 6 Sad Iron" Childs Iron Irons with this
type of half round "curtain ring-style" wooden handle were manufactured by Grey
Casting Co. and date from the late 19th century and into the early 1900's.
They came in a variety of sizes and finishes and the tops were marked with different
names or cast with different decorations. They were
a favorite of Al Russell and other collectors, and he had an amazing array of
different ones, some of which you see over and over, many of which turn up very
infrequently, and a few that I have not seen before.
This iron is an unusual variation and
larger than any of the others. It measures 4 3/4" long!! It is very
rare to find this style iron in this large size and being marked with a number,
as almost all the others are not. In fact, this is one that I have never
seen before in 15 or so years of doing irons. Special!!
Good + ........ $425.00
PR-1020
Order Now
"The
Pearl" Childs Iron This iron
is in super condition and it is the hard-to-find little size one that only measures
2 3/4".
Good + ........ $165.00
PR-1240
Order Now
"The
Pearl" Childs Iron
This one is
in super condition. My photo makes it look washed out, but trust me, the
iron is nice.
Good + ........ $85.00
ML-Pearl-1
Order Now
"The
Jewel" Childs Iron The Jewel is yet
another variation in the Gray Casting Co. line. This one is nickel plated
and one of the smaller ones, measuring just 2 3/4". Very petite, and definitely
a jewel!
Good + ........ 145.00
SOLD!
PR-1039
Order Now
Floral
/ Scrollwork Decoration Childs Iron
There are about a dozen different variations on the theme
with these Grey Casting "curtain ring" style handle irons. Add in all the different
sizes you can find, and you could spend years trying to fill in or complete
the collection. This one has floral and scrollwork decoration and
is in super condition. But what is really unusual about it is the size---typically
these irons are in the 3 1/2" to 4" range but this one measures 4 3/4.
A really unusual piece, and one of a handful from the Russell collection I have
not seen before.
Good + ........ $350.00
PR-1237
Order Now
"The
Pearl" Childs Iron The Pearl
came in a number of different sizes, and with the name / decoration marked differently.
They were made by Grey Casting and were offered as a toy. This one is
in super condition.
Good + ........ $95.00
PR-1032
Order Now
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you sell your quality Antiques in this Category.
If you have a collection
of similar antiques and want further info
please see our
FAQ page,
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Appraisal / Selling Page and the
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Your Collection Pages
for further info.
BACK
Two
Different Patented Enterprise Little Irons
Enterprise called this model iron "The Star". The idea behind the "holes"
in the handle of these two children's irons was to ventilate and thereby cool
the handle to keep it comfortable to touch while the iron was in use.
Enterprise used this handle style on their full size irons as well as on these
little ones, and called it a "cold handle". The 1877 patent date that's
marked on both of them refers to the perforated handle. The iron on the left
measures 4" and it's holes go all the way through. The smaller iron on
the right measures just a tad over 3.5 inches and it's holes are double indents
rather than through-holes. Both of these irons are complete with their
proper matching Star trivets.
(TC170, TC171[b])
Click for Pic
Little
Enterprise with Hole-in-the-Handle Irons This was the
Enterprise Mfg. Co. of Philadelphia’s child-size version of their ventilated
cold-handle iron. There is another version of this little iron where the
holes are just indents from both sides, but these two are the model where the
holes go clear through all the way. But these two are different from each
other---take your pick from the nickel plated one on the right or the dark iron
finish one on the left.
Click for Pic 
Enterprise
Child Size Toy Sad Iron
Enterprise
Child Size Toy Sad Iron
"The
Pearl" Childs Iron 
"The
Pearl" Childs Iron The Pearl
came in a number of different sizes, and with the name / decoration marked differently.
They were made by Grey Casting and were offered as a toy. This one is
in super condition.