Sad Iron Pictures and Prices

By
Barbara Crews
Barbara Crews
Barbara Crews is a lifelong collector who was featured on A&E for her collections. She has contributed to Antique Trader, Today’s Vintage, and more.
Learn about our Editorial Process
Updated on 03/17/17
01
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Miniature Swan Iron

Crown Plaiter -- Sad Iron. Courtesy of Simmons and Company Auctioneers

What is a Sad Iron?
From the Library of Congress - The History of Household Technology:
"Women of the time undoubtedly would have been using a "sad iron" to press their families' clothes. One meaning of sad in nineteenth century dictionaries was "heavy." Although many of these irons were small, they were very heavy. When sad irons were heated near an open fire or on the stove, their handles became red hot. Women tried wrapping aprons or towels around the handles, but still burned their fingers. Mary F. Potts endeared herself to countless women when she patented a much lighter sad iron with a detachable wooden handle."

Shown are a few unusual sad irons used throughout the years.

The smallest size cast swan iron with companion rope edge trivet, has original gold paint.

  • Size: 1 1/8"
  • Auction Date: August 2010
  • Selling Price: $1750.

These August 2010 items were from Sad Irons auction held in conjunction with the annual convention of the Pressing Iron and Trivet Collectors of America. Simmons & Company Auctioneers have been conducting the annual auction for quite a few years. This year's auction features irons from the collections of Dave Irons (author of three books) and Buck Carson.

02
of 15

Miniature Machine Fluter

Miniature Machine Fluter. Courtesy of Simmons and Company Auctioneers

Rare miniature machine fluter with original black paint with pin striping,

  • Marks:North Bros Mfg Co.
  • Auction Date: August 2010
  • Size: 2 3/4" roll
  • Selling Price: $5,250.
03
of 15

Miniature Rocker Fluter

Miniature Rocker Fluter. Courtesy of Simmons and Company Auctioneers

The smallest rocker fluter made of cast iron.

  • Size: 1 3/8"
  • Auction Date: August 2010
  • Selling Price: $1800.

These August 2010 items were from Sad Irons auction held in conjunction with the annual convention of the Pressing Iron and Trivet Collectors of America. Simmons & Company Auctioneers have been conducting the annual auction for quite a few years. This year's auction features irons from the collections of Dave Irons (author of three books) and Buck Carson.

04
of 15

Miniature Oval Cap Iron

Miniature Oval Cap Iron. Courtesy of Simmons and Company Auctioneers

Rare Oval Cap Iron with highly decorated top and handle.

  • Condition: Original Black Paint
  • Size: 2 3/4"
  • Auction Date: August 2010
  • Selling Price: $2700.

These August 2010 items were from Sad Irons auction held in conjunction with the annual convention of the Pressing Iron and Trivet Collectors of America. Simmons & Company Auctioneers have been conducting the annual auction for quite a few years. This year's auction features irons from the collections of Dave Irons (author of three books) and Buck Carson.

05
of 15

All Cast Smoother

All Cast Smoother. Courtesy of Simmons and Company Auctioneers

All cast smoother with curved bottom.

  • Dunbar
  • Size: 4"
  • Auction Date: August 2010
  • Selling Price: $275.

These August 2010 items were from Sad Irons auction held in conjunction with the annual convention of the Pressing Iron and Trivet Collectors of America. Simmons & Company Auctioneers have been conducting the annual auction for quite a few years. This year's auction features irons from the collections of Dave Irons (author of three books) and Buck Carson.

06
of 15

Dragon Charcoal Iron

Dragon Charcoal Iron. Courtesy of Simmons and Company Auctioneers

German Dragon charcoal iron with Lion damper.

  • Size: 7"
  • Auction Date: August 2010
  • Selling Price: $500.

These August 2010 items were from Sad Irons auction held in conjunction with the annual convention of the Pressing Iron and Trivet Collectors of America. Simmons & Company Auctioneers have been conducting the annual auction for quite a few years. This year's auction features irons from the collections of Dave Irons (author of three books) and Buck Carson.

07
of 15

Crown Plaiter -- Sad Iron

Crown Plaiter -- Sad Iron. Courtesy of Simmons and Company Auctioneers

This was part of the Mystery Antique of the Week series.

This was a complicated piece of equipment, I'm still not sure quite how it works. But it is in the sad iron category.

  • Marks:North Bros Mfg Co.
  • Size: 10"
  • Auction Date: August 2010
  • Selling Price: $50.

These August 2010 items were from Sad Irons auction held in conjunction with the annual convention of the Pressing Iron and Trivet Collectors of America. Simmons & Company Auctioneers have been conducting the annual auction for quite a few years. This year's auction features irons from the collections of Dave Irons (author of three books) and Buck Carson.

08
of 15

Brass Box Iron

Brass Box Iron
Brass Box Iron. Simmons and Company Auctioneers

Brass box iron with slug and brass trivet, part of the Howell Sad Iron Collection Auction.

  • Brass Box Iron
  • Auction Date: August 2009
  • Auction Price: $240*

*Does NOT include Buyers Premium

09
of 15

Slickenstone

Slickenstone. Simmons and Company Auctioneers

Clear glass handled slickenstone, part of the Howell Sad Iron Collection Auction.

  • Glass Slickenstone
  • Auction Date: August 2009
  • Auction Price: $200*

*Does NOT include Buyers Premium

10
of 15

Sleeve Iron

Sleeve Iron
Sleeve Iron. Simmons and Company Auctioneers

Part of the Howell Sad Iron Collection Auction.

  • Sleeve Iron
  • Auction Date: August 2009
  • Auction Price: $210.*

*Does NOT include Buyers Premium

11
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Rolling Hand Fluter

Rolling Hand Fluter
Rolling Hand Fluter Sad Iron. Simmons and Company Auctioneers

Part of the Howell Sad Iron Collection Auction, this piece was made to iron ruffles in clothing. Auction lot consisted of four pieces - the roller, base fluter plate and heater. .

  • Rolling Hand Fluter
  • Auction Date: August 2009
  • Auction Price: $190.*

*Does NOT include Buyers Premium

12
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Goffering Iron

Goffering Iron
Goffering Iron. Simmons and Company Auctioneers

A Double-Barreled Goffering Iron, with a center well for heater. The piece is hand-forged and has a copper base.

Part of the Howell Sad Iron Collection Auction.

  • Goffering Iron
  • Auction Date: August 2009
  • Auction Price: $8,700.*

*Does NOT include Buyers Premium

13
of 15

Top Hat Iron

Hat Iron. Courtesy of Simmons and Company Auctioneers

This was part of the Mystery Antique of the Week series.

  • Marks: Made in USA, McDonald Patent
  • Circa: 1890s
  • Auction Date: August 2008
  • Selling Price: $65.

Used to press the body of a top hat.

14
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Figural Steam Locomotive Iron

Figural Locomotive Iron. Simmons and Company Auctioneers

This very rare iron has 97% original black paint and gold pin striping with only minor wear was part of the Howell Sad Iron Collection Auction.

  • Alcohol Fuel Steam Locomotive Figural Iron
  • Markings: "E.B. Cosby", "Pat. Oct. 23, ’88 & Dec. 17, '89"
  • Condition: Excellent, Museum Quality
  • Auction Date: August 2009
  • Auction Price: $15,000*

*Does NOT include Buyers Premium

15
of 15

Flower and Leaf Mold

© Barb Crews

Can you imagine making flowers and leaves one piece at a time? That's what this tool did, made leaves for artificial flowers.

This mold was purchased from a New York company that was in business in the forties and fifties.

Prices and values of these flower mold pieces can range from around $50 - up to $175. for the ones that are more intricate and in the best shape.

This measures 7 - 8" and was offered for sale at the Tinsel Trading Company in New York City.

Note: This was part of the Mystery of the Week series.