I picked these up because my Father was raised in Chicago and had told me stories of chasing the ice truck.  He described the "tongs" they used to pic up the big blocks that were then put in "refrigerator's" and replenished frequently.  As a child he chased the truck to get slivers of ice that fell by the way as the workers were picking up blocks with these tongs.  Can you imagine way back when how hot the city was?  My Father was grateful to sit and cool off with a chunk of the ice.

Enjoy! LuAntique~