There are a near endless variety of different
flat or sad iron styles and forms, both American and International. They were made worldwide.
Some were very plain and utilitarian, and we call those bookends or doorstops.
Others were very fancy and intricate with a lot of design considerations. Many
were patented ideas and just a small sampling of these are listed on their respective pages.
It is fun to find one with a new logo or
name on them. Or perhaps even one with your name on it.
No collection could ever get them all (although
several collectors have made valiant efforts), and different ones appear all
the time. The thing about these irons is that they have been in collections
for years. They are not commonly found these days. You can not go
out and just buy most of these anymore at the local venues. This is the source,
and they are priced to sell.
Most are 5 -7" long and weigh 4-7 lbs
each.
A note on shipping: I ship most irons in fixed rate Priority boxes. There are two sizes of these boxes available now. One, two or sometimes even three or four irons can fit in the new larger fixed rate box, making shipping quite reasonable.
Hood's
Patented Soapstone Iron
Phineas Hood of New Hampshire was a really inventive
guy. While everyone else was thinking "iron" as the material of choice
for fabricating an iron, Mr. Hood decided that soapstone would be better.
I don't think his idea really took off, and that's all the more reason his irons
are highly sought after by today's collectors. Here are two examples of
his soapstone irons, in two different sizes. Both are marked with the
1877 patent date as well as his name. I think the larger one is even harder
to find than the other. It has a small crack in the casting near where
the handle bolts onto the base, but the handle is stable and secure. And
to complete the set is an unusual soapstone trivet.
ML-FL-1 ML-FL-2 ML-FL-TV-1
One iron SOLD, One AVAILABLE! Trivet Sold too.....
Good ..... $175.00
Hood
Patent Soapstone Iron It has always been
known that soapstone was a good heat-retaining material. It was also an
easy material to work, and in great supply in New England during the19th century.
But Phineas Hood of Milford, NH was one of few inventors to consider using it
as the body for a pressing iron.
You can find two distinct styles of these soapstone irons. This is the spade shape, and there was also a smaller double point polisher / smoothing iron. The larger ones like this come in a never ending range of sizes. I imagine they sold them by the pound, and after cutting and finishing the slabs used whatever was left. Each one is different, and each one is finished differently as if they were hand done. This iron is a nice example.
BCM-6
Good + ........ $175.00
Primitive
Strap Handle Sad Iron The question that comes to mind for
me when looking at these primitive irons is what kind of clothes were they wearing?
PR-209
Good+ ........ $195.00
Primitive
Strap Handle Sad Iron Another example that show just how
distinctive and interesting the design of these primitive style flat irons can
be.
PR-210
Good+ ........ $95.00
Primitive
Rod Handle Sad Iron Another example that shows just how distinctive
and interesting the design of these primitive irons can be. This one almost
looks to be a transitional piece with indications the body was cast and mass
produced with its round toe, raised bolsters, and rod handle. Interesting!
PR-213
Good+ ........ $55.00
A
Slave Iron and Two Other Primitive Sad Irons Here
are three distinctive and interesting design primitive irons. The one at the
top left has an applied handle that was smithy forged to the body, and it is
what is known as a "slave iron". There is a rattler in the handle and
the story goes that the lady of the house would know when the servant was slacking
off if she didn't hear the noise of the iron. These irons are also referred
to as "bell-in-the-handle" irons.
The next two have integral handles that are curled and attached to the front with the one furthest to the right having a distinctive little curl. Interesting!
Left .... Good+ ........ $65.00 BCM-107 SOLD!
Middle .... Good+ ........ $125.00 BCM 109
Right .... Good+ ........ $175.00 BCM 108
2
Blacksmith Primitive Sad Irons These two small primitives
are blacksmith-made and exceptionally nice!
Left .... Good ........ $65.00 PRIM-L SOLD!
Right ..... Good ........ $85.00 PR-978
DP
Turned up Ends Iron This is the unmarked version of the
iron known as The
Monitor. It looks a little rough, but still a great form!
Good ........ $35.00 SOLD!
MN-MON-1
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(1998 - 2009)
Larry & Carole Meeker