"The devices to heat irons are as ingenious and as novel as the irons they heated." Irons By Irons (1994), p.145.

Stove top sad iron heater. On top: CENTENNIAL HEATER PAT AL'D FEB 1876. has wings that open to accept the sad iron. Cast iron, measuring 14" X 9 3/4". Sold by Hartzell's Auction Gallery at the Balestri Auction on 7/12/18.

French stove bucket heater with 5 irons-wonderful, small decorated stove with lids over irons and unusual carrying handle. 12" x 11 1/2". Sold by Hartzell's Auction Gallery at the Balestri Auction on 7/12/18.

✽ 3 related Kevin Talks Irons videos: #23 Wood Stove Heaters ✽ #32 Kerosene Stoves ✽ #33 Natural Gas Heaters 

"The smoothing board, or mangle board, has its roots in Scandinavia and Europe. The smoothing board has two components - the flat board with handle and the roller stick which is about 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Tp use the smoothing board, the dampened fabric is folded in panels and wrapped (rolled) tightly around the roller. Using a flat surface like a table, the smoothing board is then pressed (at right angles) down on the rolled fabric and wood roller stick. By applying pressure in a rolling manner, the fabric is pressed and then removed from the roller." More Irons By Irons (1997), p. 17.

This video was made in conjunction with the exhbition of mangle boards in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 21-July 22, 2017, which PITCA member Jay Raymond curated. Curator's Statement 

Related information:

✽ The Arcane Charms of Mangle Boards, The New York Times review of Jay Raymond's book, 5/14/2015.

✽ Kevin Talks Irons video: #41 Mangles and other Wooden Devices for Pressing Fabric 

✽ Coming Soon!

Companies in the late 1870's to early 1900's distributed trade cards as promotions with products. Almost any consumer item of that era can be found advertised on a card, including laundry day products like pressing irons, soap and wringer washers.

The majority of trade cards averaged 3" x 4.5" in size. The front of the cards were usually decorative, humorous, or offered some sort of political commentary; the backs were reserved for company advertising. They were made of a combination of paper pulp and rag, similar in composition to paper money, and have proven extremely durable. Collectors today prize these albums, as the valuable trade cards can be carefully soaked from the album pages, pressed and dried. 

Mary Florence Potts patented sadirons with “Cold Handles” beginning in 1871. She became the worldwide spokesperson for her designs which were franchised to Enterprise Manufacturing Company and American Machine Company. Her advertising trade cards were a popular collectible with housewives of that era.

✽ Kevin Talks Irons video: #28 Mrs. Potts Trade Cards