Pittsburgh loved it's mangles, too!..Craigslist

[moparwash]

Along with Philco Fridges, Tappan Ranges, the mangle was a must-have!!

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=mangle&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=

 

[launderess]

Interesting

Most of the usual suspects represented! *LOL*

Horton, Ironrite, etc... The Maytag is very interesting but one already has the Frigidare and thus no room for yet another huge porcelain on metal ironer, even one that is NIB. The Chicago Ironer could be interesting but with no picture one has no idea what is being offered. If it's anything like other equipment offered by the Chicago Dryer Company we're speaking of a huge and rather primitive machine by today's or even 1940's/1950's standards. Probably gas heated without a thermostat or means to control heat other than regulating the flame.

Ironcially the Maytag, Conlon and Frigidare ironers are all related and IIRC they all must have been made by Conlon. Cannot find records of either Maytag or Frigidare building their own ironers and the designs are quite similar.

 

[wiskybill]

Amazing!

I have an identical iron to the Horton portable, only
branded as General Electric.

I paid $7.50 for it at a thrift shop.

I had NO idea that it was SO old or worth SO much! LOL

Not a clue!

 

[launderess]

Horton And Other Similar Sized Irons Claimed One Could Do Sh

On them, but one just doesn't see how. Well maybe twin sized sheets carefully folded but otherwise it is not going to happen IMHO.

My first ironer purchased when eBay was young and one could find interesting things for no money was a small "Beatty Bros." unit similar to the above. Though IIRC it had a lever so one could operate it via elbows or some such. Either way it didn't suit and was quickly sold on to place in Hawaii that cared for disabled and challenged youths. The owner of the place was that glad to have it and find someone willing to go though with the bother of packing and shipping the thing. Then as now many eBay sellers restrict themselves to the mainland USA, no Alaska or Hawaii shipping.

Anywho gave the seller lots of points about mangle ironing via email and one assumes the unit is still there chugging along.

 

[arbilab]

Pittsburgh grandma had the newer (steel, not iron) Ironrite.

 

[launderess]

It Really Is Amazing How Many Ironers

Are out there considering production ceased what, more than thirty years ago?

Sadly so many were stored in damp laundry areas and or basements and you can see what that does to metal, even that coated with porcelain.

If well maintained and used properly these things can go on for ages. Well until the gears and other bits start to wear out.

 

[whirlcool]

I like the pricing on the CL adverts.
Let's see 90% of them are between $50-$100. With an especially nice one for $75.
Then you see one that's pretty scruffy looking and the seller is asking $950. WTF?

Let's all repeat after me...

Ebay is not a gold mine, Ebay will not bring you your retirement hoard, Ebay is not a gold mine.....

 

[launderess]

Same With CL, Estate Sales, Etc...

Persons simply don't want to believe the market for ironers is really limited, and for the most part depends upon location. The only ironers one sees anyone willing to spend money on shipping or driving any distace for are the Miele units. Even then once costs all told start reaching >1500 you probably are better off purchasing a new unit locally. At least that way the thing comes with a warranty and if damaged in shipping will be replaced by the seller.

Ironers often look so nice after years in storage because for most housewives they were limited use appliances. For ever "June Cleaver" that ironed everything that came out of her washtub there were more women that aside from linen used around the holidays or Sunday dinner, and or perhaps pillow slips couldn't be bothered phaffing around with ironing even with a machine that supposedly did much of the work.

Once tumble dryers became common in more American homes ironers if not irons themselves were mostly put away.

Back to these eBay and other sellers with dollar signs in their eyes. Am guessing few understand many of those large cabinet ironers were shipped basically as we would call freight today. They were big, buklky, heavy beasts that often came in two sections (a base and top) that had to be assembled, or much like furniture arrived on a large van with two or more strong men to shift it into your home.

 

[arbilab]

I said grandma HAD an Ironrite. I did NOT say I ever saw her use it. And any time she went to the laundry I was right behind her. There are only so many things for a 6yo to do at grandma's house in 1952.

 

[launderess]

*LOL*

Been there,know that! *LOL*

Sadly my grandmother quickly got in the habit of dispatching me with "go find something to polish", and that was the end of that.

On the brighter side visits never did last long as Mother Dear intended even as fond of me as Grandmama was I got on her nerves trailing behind her and all so soon enough the telephone call was made "... come get your child/children".

 

[arbilab]

I only shadowed her to the basement laundry. Helped that I was the only grandchild at the time. Spent a good deal of time walking around the fire hydrant out front, humming, pretending I was a carousel. (Yes, really.)

 

[launderess]

Oh Your Poor Luv

You needed some playmates! *LOL*

 

[arbilab]

Was perfectly content playing carousel. Next visit I played airplane and ran around the block carrying a model. Over and over. Physically healthy anyway. Mention I have Asperger's?

 

[vintagekitchen]

Poor Arbilab

Content or not, I wish you had some neighbor children to play with at least. I can just about shed a tear imagining looking out the window and seeing a poor lil fellow playing all by himself like that.. Didnt realize how lucky I was to always have siblings and cousins to play with until I started thinking about it just now.

(Though I bet you were the darling of the neighborhood little old ladies).

 

[arbilab]

Yes, zammatterafack I DID routinely visit neighbor housewives. For one thing, they had washing machines for me to watch. For another, more than half of them served cookies. I might have been cuckoo but I wasn't stupid.

And in 1952, paranoid fear of unfamiliar adults wasn't yet part of standard childhood indoctrination.

 

[tolivac]

Playing caurosel-and airplane-these games were certainly more healthful,imaginative and harmless compared to planting the kid in front of the computer,TV,or video game.At least airplane and Caurosel gave you exercise!And exercised the imagination.something kids can't do today-they HAVE to use electronic entertainment.

 

[vintagekitchen]

Amen.

If the weather was anything resembling decent, gramma and mom both would run us right out the door, with orders to "go play". We didnt have to be told what to play, what to play with, or have anything electronic to do it. We made our own games up, ran, climbed, got scraped knees (gasp), all the things kids are supposed to do. Mom was eternally proud of my brother's bone deep tan, (I couldn't tan if you buttered me and put me the oven overnight), and the way both our hair would sun bleach to blonde every summer.

Now parents slather their kids in sunblock just to go from the house, to the car, to the store, and back, would have a heart attack if they spotted their kid climbing a tree, and a scraped knee is a reason for panic. They would rather plunk them in front of a tv than let them be kids and take a few risks, not to mention it is easier than having to actually "watch" them.

 

[arbilab]

Couple years later, around 8-9yo, fave thing to do was build mud dams in the lazy creek in front of the house. John across the street would join if he was around. We had a TV but nothing on it for kids, just as well. Far as watching things, the slant Westy was more interesting and no commercials.