General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

3

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Iron body.

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

15.5 cm

Width

7.3 cm

Height

11.0 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Domestic Technology

Category

Laundry

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

Smart

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

City

Brockville

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

Sad irons were presumably used in Canada from the 1880s up and into the early 20th century. James Smart Manufacturing Company was based in Brockville, Ontario, and was a leading iron manufacturing company.

Function

Sad iron with detachable handle used to press flat and/or remove wrinkles from fabrics. Combination iron for regular pressing, and for the polishing of shirt fronts, cuffs, etc. Base absorbed and retained heat when the solid body of the iron was placed in close proximity or on an external heat source.

Technical

Sad irons with detachable handles (patented in 1871 in the U.S.A.) are a marked advancement in the history of ironing technologies. They not only increased productivity, as a user could have multiple iron bases being heated at once (and therefore not have to wait for a single iron to re-heat) but also provided a greater level of comfort for the user; wood does not conduct heat and allowed the user a much cooler handle. While this iron does not have any number type to indicate it was part of a set, it does have an ‘8’ embossed which suggests its weight and scale usage. The detachable handle suggests that it was sold with partner pieces. These irons were generally sold in sets of three with a detachable handle. The weight of the iron was correlated to the style of the textile (heavier iron for heavier textiles). The sole of the iron needed to be entirely flat in order to eradicate wrinkles and press seams and creases.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

'8' incised on top portion of iron base.

Missing

From CA of 03/24/1994 by Tony Missio: No - Complete

Finish

Black iron. Semi-circular varnished hardwood handle.

Decoration

N/A