Although some of these irons were specifically aimed to be
marketed to young girls, many of this style were more meant for adults needing
a little iron when a full-size counterpart just would not do for the specific
task at hand. Cap irons are a prime example of this. These
beautifully shaped oval irons were considered an absolute necessity for proper
ironing of certain types and styles of caps and hats. Some were wide
ovals and some were more streamlined, but typically they had flat horizontal
handles that allowed the ironer to apply the downward pressure on the little
iron that was required to do the job well.
Round back and double pointed little irons are examples of
some inventor's "better idea" of how to eliminate the "divots" in fabrics that
were sometimes accidentally caused by the back points of the base in spade
shaped irons when pressing too hard on the back end of the handle. The
round back shape was thought to glide better over the fabric without leaving
any unwanted indents. The forms of these antique irons are wonderfully
graceful, and in these little size irons they are absolutely exquisite.
These little antique irons are some of the most sought after
of all, and found very infrequently except in long-time collections like these
that we have the pleasure of helping disperse.
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
Left..........Good
+.................$90.00
BCM-203
Right..........Very Good.................$110.00
BCM-202
Order Now
Round
Heel
Child-Size Iron When I first looked at this 4 inch iron I
couldn't decide what kind of creature it depicted, but in Early Tuesday
Morning, the definitive little iron book, Judy Politzer recognized it as
an angel or cupid astride a fanciful beast, and I think that says it well!
The iron has a great form!
(ETM164)
Click for Pic
Very Good.................$145.00
GS-RB-1
Order Now
"Carron"
Oval or Egg Shaped Scottish Cap Iron It was originally thought that Carron was a
French company but further research has determined it to be a Scottish
foundary begun in 1791. The casting on this 3 3/4 inch cap iron is a
little rough, but the form makes up for whatever is lacking in smoothness.
(TC 190[b])
Click for Pic
Very Good.................$45.00
GS-OC-1
Order Now
Oval
"Guillet-Fagot" French Cap Iron This little 3 3/4 inch French cap iron bears the
maker's decorative logo, which serves to emphasize the wonderful oval shape
of the base. The handle is a bit unusual in that it is a pounded open
rolled grip. (TC 186[a])
Click for Pic
Very Good.................$59.00
GS-OC-2
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French
"Hody Grodidier" Oval Cap Iron This antique cap iron is really cute because of
the chunky stepped base, the half-rod handle, and the detailing of the
casting. It is very smooth and still retains original black paint, and
the manufacturer's mark---H G D---is boldly cast into the base. It
measures 3 3/4 inches long.
(ETM 181[a])
Click for Pic
Excellent.................$85.00 GS-OC-3
Order Now
2
Different French Antique Cap Irons Take a look at the little differences between
these two antique cap irons. The iron on the left with the open rolled
strap handle has a mark that is hard to
make out but it indicates the French Herbulot foundery.
(TC 187[a])
The iron on the right is unmarked as to maker but has a nicely
formed half-rod handle. It measures 3.5 inches which is just a
fraction smaller than the first iron here.
Click for Pic
Click for Pic
Very Good.................$48.00
each
GS-OC-5
GS-OC-6
Order Now
Round
Back Antique Iron Marked "0" Irons having this graceful teardrop shape are
more often found in Europe but rarely turn up in the US, except in longtime
antique iron collections. The simple and thin bent strap handle is in
great contrast to the thickness and curves of the base of the iron, and the
casting of the "0" is sharp and very graphic. This is one of those
irons you just want to pick up and handle.
(TC 177[a])
Click for Pic
Excellent.................$145.00
GS-RB-2
Order Now
Double
Pointed Child's Iron with Pinwheel Decoration This pretty little wood grip handle iron has a
decorative "cap" with a spiral or pinwheel design framed by two other
decorative motifs. One end of the double pointed base is turned up for
"polishing". It measures about 3.75 inches. It's in nice
condition and just need a light cleaning to bring out its full beauty!
(ETM
268[b])
Click for Pic
Very Good.................$110.00
GS-DP-1
Order Now
Three 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
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
Embossed
"Lady Head" Double Point Child's Sadiron
This iron must have been made by the same manufacturer
as "The Pearl" and the embossed pinwheel design iron. It is a really
beautiful casting and reminds me of a cameo, and in looking at it closely
just now I see something I never noticed---amid the casting decoration on
the top it is also marked "Pat Pnd". A light cleaning will make
it shine!
Click
for Pic
Very Good+.................$110.00
ML-DPNE-1
Order Now
Three
Little French Cap Irons I guess the idea behind this type of iron
was that the rounded shape did a better job of ironing a round cap than
would an iron with sharp points at either end. Whether it did or not I’m
not sure---I haven’t tried ironing any of Larry’s baseball caps lately. The
two irons at either end are matching, with a little raised 6-pointed star
cast into the center of the base. The iron in the middle has the wreath
shaped logo that was the mark of a noted French foundry.
Click for Pic
Very Good.................$55.00
each BCM-50 BCM-252
Order Now
Two
Double Pointed One Piece Irons These two little irons would
probably be considered toys, although suitable for Mom to use to do a quick
touch up of a piece of ribbon or lace. The one on the left has a twisted
“rope” handle while the one on the right has a more rectangular “block”
grip.
Very Good.................$20.00
each BCM-188 BCM-278
Order Now
Three
Cast Brass Toy Irons These little irons are unmarked as to maker
and their grip is a somewhat different design that is typically seen. They
may not date from as early as most of the other irons found on these pages,
but they are nicely made and definitely do show some age.
Very Good.................$18.00
each BCM-190-191-196
Order Now
Dover
in a Diamond Double Pointed Iron I imagine the diamond logo on the
base represented or was meant to reinforce the very pointed double-point
shape of the base. This example still retains its original red paint on the
handle. Dover made a lot of different size irons and I would say this one
was targeted at the “toy” market.
Click for Pic
Good
+.................$20.00
BCM-201
Order Now
Small
Double Point Iron This is an unmarked Mrs. Potts Style Child Size
or Lace Iron.
Click for Pic
LCM-CS-2
Very Good.................$22.50
Order Now
We want to help 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,
the
Appraisal /
Selling Page and the
Selling
Your
Collection Pages
for
further info.
BACK
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
