Trade Card for Mrs. Potts Sad Irons, circa 1875

01

Artifact Overview

In the 1870s, Mary Florence Potts made ironing easier. Conventional single-piece, cast iron flatirons were heated on stoves -- and the handle got hot! Mrs. Potts invented and patented a detachable wood handle that stayed cool and could be switched between her irons. The irons also featured two pointed ends that allowed users to work in either direction. Mrs. Potts' irons remained popular into the 20th century.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Trade card

Date Made

circa 1875

Subject Date

circa 1875

Creator Notes

Product manufactured by Enterprise Mfg. Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Distributed (sold) by J. Woodruff & Sons, Southington, Connecticut.

Collection Title

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

2019.0.3.38

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Printing (Process)

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 4.375 in
Width: 2.875 in

Trade Card for Mrs. Potts Sad Irons, circa 1875