This is just a sample of the many antiques we have sold. Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.

We can help you sell quality Antiques  Contact Us.

For further info on consigning / selling your antiques with us please see our FAQ page, the Appraisal / Selling Page and the Selling Your Collection Pages.

Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com.

18lb. Universal Sad Iron Co. Charcoal Tailor's Iron  Some forms of tailor's irons are pretty hard to find.  American charcoal heated versions are virtually unheard of, seldom seen, and are generally considered very rare.  This unusual iron is a great looking piece of cast iron.  It's18 lbs. in weight and about a foot in length and cast into the top under the handle is a bold rendition of the Earth cast in high relief.  According to the info on the top, the Universal Sad Iron Co. hailed from Milwaukee.  If you look at this iron you may see something of a resemblance to another great tailor's iron, the Waterman patent "Thermometer" Charcoal Tailor's Iron, whose maker also listed their location as Milwaukee.  Is there a connection?  I'm curious.  This iron was a Northern California find, a rare occurrence these days as the supply of different irons available has certainly changed over the last few years!

Good . . . . .  $125.00       SOLD

4" Child's Charcoal Iron  Child-size charcoal heated antique irons are few and far between.  This example is exceptionally beautiful.  From the graceful form of the handle to the decorative scallops on the lower portion of the lid this iron is first-class all the way.  It has a beautiful smoothness to the surface and a mellow patina only age can impart.  This one would be top shelf in any collection.

Good . . . . .  $375.00       SOLD

The Gem Patent Thermometer Sad Iron    This is a very rare iron.  I have only seen or had 3 of these in 20 some years.  I have only seen one other sold from a major collection at auction.  I first found this iron about 15 years ago in upstate New York and sold it to Norm Kelley that winter when we came back to CA.  He was one of the best buyers around back then, and we saved him some stuff each year to sell when we returned to CA for the winter.

The condition is superb with nearly 100% of the original nickel.  The thermometer is original and good.  It is marked with the patent date of July 9th 1889.  The other two of these I had were marked "Pat Appl'd For", so we know that there were at least two different production runs, but I doubt more than just a few were made either time.  In addition to the patent date it is also marked #7 for the size. The patent holder was a woman from Milwaukee, and the patent number is 406,608 if you care to look it up.  The patent calls for a different design of venting than this iron has, but the idea for the grate and rear door are the same. 

This iron represents cutting edge technology for its time.  Electricity was but a dream, and they were barely refining oil yet, and the supply of whale oil was running out.  Charcoal was the way to go, and Sarah added a thermometer so you would know just how hot an iron you were working with.  Here was a way to watch how hot the coal was burning just below your hand as you did the ironing chores.  What a comforting and advanced thought. 

Good . . . . .  $2250.00       SOLD

Child-size Charcoal Iron Marked "Mimoso"  You don't see too many child-size charcoal irons.  This one must hail from South America as it is marked "Mimoso" and "S. Paulo" on the diminutive heat shield that would have protected the little fingers as they gripped the wooden handle.  The base of the iron measures 4" long, and the decorative motif on the chimney and on the damper door are really nice touches.  Rather than having a grate on the inside to hold the coals off the bottom of the iron,  this one has a tubular air chamber built into the bottom that connects to the damper, allowing the air to circulate and creating the draft needed to keep the fires burning.

Good . . . . .  $195.00       SOLD

Dragon / Monster German Charcoal Iron  This is a real one.  There have been some re-pops made over the years, but they are identifiable when compared to others.  The most obvious tell of the newer ones is if the body and head condition are not similar.  It seems there is a technique of applying newer heads onto earlier bodies.  They are well done, but married up nonetheless.  Not the case with this one.  A fine example!

Good . . . . .  $395.00       SOLD

Child Size Nickel Plated Charcoal Iron  This is a gorgeous little iron!  It is in wonderful condition and is finely made.  Irons of this design are typically thought to be German or Swiss.  Note the decorative handle support and the overall detailing.  Keep in mind that this little iron measures only 4 5/8 inches long!  It has nearly 100% of it original nickel plating and still retains it's original tiny coal trivet inside.

Good . . . . .  $375.00       SOLD

Double Chimney American Charcoal Iron  This is an unmarked and early version of the Finn patent "Ne Plus Ultra".  It is simply marked "Pat Apld For" under the heat shield.  It is in super original condition.  These are a neat design with chimneys at both ends, and a unique clamp lock system for the top.   A super nice example!

Good . . . . .  $395.00       SOLD

Portuguese Split Chimney Charcoal Iron  This is another seldom seen charcoal iron.  It has a large Bee / Wasp logo cast into the design of the top.  It is a split-apart design where the top half of the chimney lifts up when it is opened up to load or clean.  Different by a factor of 5!

Good . . . . .  $275.00       SOLD

Decorated Asian Charcoal Iron  This large iron has decorations and symbols one might expect to find on an Oriental pan iron.  I am not sure what they represent, or exactly where the iron originates from.  It is large, very large, and will make a graphic display / statement wherever you place it.  A neat piece!

Good . . . . .  $95.00       SOLD

"Venus Patent" Decorated Asian Charcoal Iron   This is a great design charcoal iron that incorporates all sorts of "cutting edge" ideas to make ironing easier and more efficient.  One almost needs a degree in mechanical engineering to figure out the latch in the front.  The top opens to load it and the bottom opens to empty it out.  To open it you lift the knob and turn 1/4 turn in one direction and the top latch releases.  You then have to turn the knob a 1/2 turn in the opposite direction and the bottom latch releases.  To close it back up you go back and forth till it goes into place.  Simple but complicated! 

There is a lot of info about the iron cast into the top and it looks great. All of the small cast points in the bottom must have been designed for heat transfer and air flow. An elegant solution to an age old problem of getting coal to burn cleanly.  The designer was so sure of himself that he felt no need to incorporate a chimney into the design.  I wonder if it worked as planned.

Good . . . . .  $375.00       SOLD

BACK

This is just a sample of the many antiques we have sold. Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.

We can help you sell quality Antiques  Contact Us.

For further info on consigning / selling your antiques with us please see our FAQ page, the Appraisal / Selling Page and the Selling Your Collection Pages.

Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com.

This website is Copyrighted
(1998 - 2009)
Larry & Carole Meeker