The very scarce ‘Celebrated Improved Knox Fluting Machine,’ circa 1866

Description: The very scarce ‘Celebrated Improved Knox Fluting Machine,’ circa 1866 Here is the scarce gem and centerpiece of any Victorian Collection of antique Pressing Irons. This is a rare ‘Celebrated Improved Knox Fluter Machine,’ a deice to make fluted fabric for dress trim, collars and cuffs during the Victorian era, when pleated trim was wildly popular. The manufacturer was H. Sauerbier & Son of Newark, NJ; a firm operated circa 1860-1874. Henry Sauerbier began the business in 1848; his sons Henry Jr. and Theodore joined him in 1870 and 1873, respectively. Later, the name changed to H. Sauerbier & Sons. Sauerbier was also contracted to produce infantry swords during the Civil War. The top of the base plate is embossed MRS. SUSAN R. KNOX PATENTED NOV. 20, 1866. Some were made by H. Sauerbier & Son, Newark, NJ. Beginning in 1870, the manufacturer changed their name to H. Sauerbier & Sons (add the plural when Henry’s sons joined the firm). Similar fluters were produced by the American Machine Company of Philadelphia, PA. Later, this company was bought out by the North Brothers Manufacturing Company. This model has no embossed manufacturer cast underneath its base. Possibly a forerunner or very early production model. Also appearing on the base plate, hallmarking the special model, are the words, “The Celebrated Improved Knox Fluting Machine.” Susan R. Knox of New York, NY, received U.S. Patent No. 59,913, dated November 20, 1866. Sauerbier was one of several foundries that produced fluters under Knox's patent. This model is one of the heaviest machine fluters of the day - a testament to quality workmanship, and a commitment to durability. PROMINANCE: ‘More Irons by Irons’ David Irons, page 60, figure 157, published in 1997. This book, used by collectors worldwide as a reference and price guide, denotes your fluter’s rarity as 5 (on a scale of 1-5) ‘once in a lifetime’; and, value of 11 (on a scale of 1-13) $500-$750. This was an estimated price more than 25 years ago. DESCRIPTION: Manually-operated fluting machine or iron with two, hollow, corrugated brass rollers, open at crank end, mounted horizontally one above the other on a flat, rectangular, cove-sided stand with details stenciled on top. Protected by a Japan-black finish. Lower roller is mounted to two rectangular pedestal supports and has a wooden-handled crank at its right end; frame holding upper roller has an arched flat spring across its top and a lever at back that pivot on a separate support at back right ending with tension screw on spring. Tension adjustment was necessary since thinner fabric needed more tension, while thicker fabric required less. Unique about this model is how the main upright was designed. A wide variety of fluting irons, or fluters, were manufactured. Some were ‘rocker’ style; others, like this one, were operated with a crank. All were improvements over the earlier method of pressing pleats into fabric, which involved wrapping each individual crease by hand around a goffering iron. Ladies’ and children’s clothing of the late 19th century featured a lot of pleated (also known as fluted or plaited) trim, probably the impetus for the invention of an easier way to create and care for your ruffles and pleats. Your model here was invented by a Mrs. Susan R. Knox, patented by her on November 20, 1866 with later updates and reissues, but manufactured by H. Sauerbier & Son, Newark, NJ. The machine is cast iron, with brass rollers and a wooden handle. Here is a description of the device, taken from her patent (“Improvement in Fluting Machines,” No. 59,913): “This invention relates to a machine having a pair of corrugated rollers, between which the fabric or material to be fluted is drawn by the rotation of said rollers, the fluting effect, as well as the simultaneous rotation of the rollers in opposite directions, being caused by the intermeshing of the corrugations of one roller with the corresponding grooves of the other. These rollers are made hollow to heat them by the introduction of heating-irons or otherwise, and thus render the fabric more susceptible to the fluting action of the rollers.” Fluting irons are one of the most interesting types of antique pressing irons ever invented. They were developed to crimp, ruffle and press pleats into starched fabric. Fluters were used for collars, cuffs and trim. These vintage tools were an invention that saw their heyday in America from the 1860's through to the turn of the century. Collectively, this uncommon 150-year-old fluter is in fine operating condition, and will be a show stopper in any collection, or as a unique gift to a close friend to showcase a piece of Americana from the post Civil War era. If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask. Thank you for viewing and good luck bidding.

Price: 125 USD

Location: Clarksville, Tennessee

End Time: 2024-11-10T20:18:04.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD