Antiques
Of A
Mechanical Nature
 
Larry and Carole Meeker
Purveyors of American Patented & Mechanical Antiques

           

     www.patented-antiques.com
    
            LCM@patented-antiques.com


          
530-620-7019 phone

 

 

Cap Irons / Oval / Double Pointed /

& Round Back Little Irons

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  

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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

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"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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

 

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