82/36/1-4

GEC Machines Ltd (Manufacturer)

This is an electric-powered 'Magnet' travelling iron which could be plugged into a light socket. 'Magnet' is a trademark of GEC. The iron has a four pin terminal but two of the pins are missing. The handle is covered with cane and a homemade brown woollen handle has been added. The original handle is marked '"MAGNET" UNIVERSAL IRON 100/125 OR 200/240 VOLTS 220W'. The iron is contained in a chrome plated box and this in turn fits in a black, cloth-covered box which has purple cloth inside marked 'GEC TRADE MARK MADE IN ENGLAND'. The iron previously belonged to Mrs Moore from Paignton, Devon, who gave it to her employee, Miss J. Varcoe. Mrs Moore died in about 1965 at the age of 90.

1 electric travelling iron: metal; card; cloth; cane; good condition[cont'd]...;outer box covered in black cloth, with purple cloth inside inscribed: 'GEC Trade Mark, Made in England'; handle of iron inscribed: ' "Magnet" Universal Iron 100/125 or 200/240 Volts, 220 W'.

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Standard museum name: Iron // Accession number: 82/36/1-4 // Classification: DOMESTIC Cleaning laundering ironing // Negative number: 60/14236 // Acquisition method: Gift // Acquired from, date: D.R. Gill [...] // Store: // Condition: Good // Recorder, date: DJE. 21/10.82 // Description: An electic travelling iron. The iron has a four pin terminal (2 pins are missing). The handle is covered with cane, and a home made brown woollen one has been added. The handle is marked "MAGNET" UNIVERSAL IRON 100/125 OR 200/240 VOLTS 220W. The iron has a lead which fits a light socket. The iron is contained in a chrome plated box and this, in turn fits in a black cloth covered box, purple cloth inside marked GEC TRADE MARK MADE IN ENGLAND. // Dimensions: Iron 13.3cms X 6.5cms X 8cms. Outer box 18.5 x 10 x 14cms. // Associated information: Electric irons came on the market c1890, early examples could be plugged into a light socket. // 'Magnet' was the trade mark of GEC. // References: Brian Jewell 'Smoothing Irons' Midds 1977 // David de Hann 'Antique Household Gadgets & Appliances' Blandford 1977 p. 105-106.', MERL miscellaneous note – 'Electric irons came on the market c.1890. This type, for travelling, is interesting because when upturned on its stand the sole of the iron could be used to heat water in the container for either shaving or an early morning cup of tea! 'Magnet' is a Trade Mark of GEC.', Letter, MERL to Mr. & Mrs. Gill, 21 October 1982 – 'Dear Mr. & Mrs. Gill, // Thank you very much for offering us the 'Magnet' electric iron belonging to Miss Varcoe. This is a very interesting addition to our collection of domestic irons. // Yours sincerely, // David J. Eveleigh, // Assistant Keeper. // N.B. no other information.', Letter, Mrs. Gill to MERL, 11 November 1982 – 'Dear Mr. Eveleigh, // The only other details regarding the 'Magnet' electric iron I can obtain are as follows:- // Belonged originally to:- // Mrs. Moore, // Paignton, Devon, // she died 17 years ago at the age of 90 yrs. // The iron was given to Miss J. Varcoe whilst in the employ of Mrs. Moore. // Yours sincerely, // (Mrs.) Nora E. Gill', Letter, MERL to Mrs. Gill, 18 November 1982 – 'Dear Mrs. Gill, // Thank you very much for the details about the iron which I will add to our record form. // Incidentally, the iron has now been cleaned by our conservator and also photographed. // Yours sincerely, // David J. Eveleigh, // Assistant Keeper.'

Newcastle under Lyme

1922-01-01

Metal, Paper, Fibre, Plant fibre, rattan

Sawn, Plated