Victorian  C.W. Whitfield Cast Iron Garment Fluter Pleater Crimper Press  – 1880 Magic Rocking Style - Vintage Farmhouse Primitive 

A Victorian antique American made cast iron fluting , pleater, crimper 2 piece rocking style press iron for pleating clothes and fabrics. These type of specialty irons were an essential appliance in the late 1800s as pleats and ruffles on collars, cuffs, and dresses were the fashion of the day. Dating from the 1860 to 1880s iron press embossed with the words MAGIC PAT. APP. FOR. C.W. WHITFIELD, WATKINS, N.Y.   This iron press has a beautiful antique age patina with a upper solid embossed bar handle and separate bottom piece. The top piece and the bottom piece have deep ridged grooves used to crimp the garment that was wedged in between giving the fabric a lovely row of pleats. 

During the 1860s, there was a trend in upper class society fashion of women and men alike, would have garments with crimped, ruffled, or fluted hems, collars and cuffs. A fluting iron was used to create these dramatic looks by producing these pleats. So labor intensive. Usually the maid or launder woman ironing the garment would heat the base on a wood stove top or coal stove, pick up the iron using a rag, insert the fabric to be pleated between the top and bottom of the press, and then manually roll the top of the iron back and forth over the fabric, creating lovey pleats. Repeating this process over and over again till garment was finished.

As with any antique cast iron item, there is a hint of minor surface rust on it but overall it is in very good solid condition. no repairs, no cracks and no breaks,  all original minor rust can be removed.  2 piece implement. I do not clean or remove patina, as found from an old country farmhouse estate.

The iron base measures 6 inches long x 3-1/8 inches wide. The rocking handled iron is 4-3/4 inches long X 3-1/8 inches wide x 4 inches high (including the handle). It weighs 3 pounds 10 ounces. 

Would look lovely in a collection of primitives and be a fabulous conversation piece in any primitive decor or to use as intended.

Every effort has been made to describe our items as accurately as possible including flaws and imperfections to the best of our ability, to give the buyer an accurate description.  Our descriptions are true and accurate to the best of our ability. We try to observe and report every defect that we are aware of to give the buyer an accurate description but to mention every single minor blemish is laborious and unnecessary. As condition and description is largely based on personal opinion, we ask that you look at the photos carefully and decide the rating and pattern if applicable of this item for yourself.

Our antiques are collectible and are not new and not reproductions, and have lived a long and eventful life and sometimes developing flaws.  Therefore, use and wear should be expected with these items, unless stated in description. We do not clean or alter unless stated in listing, and most times have been in storage for many decades picking up old age storage oxidation spots.

As condition and description is largely based on personal opinion, we ask that you look at the photos carefully and decide. 

We are happy to answer any questions about this item.  Insurance has been added to postage handling charges over $100.00 value. 

I SHIP IMMEDIATELY and packed securely.

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Item: crimper - pg 3/23