The little giveaway toy iron token, barely an inch long, is now known among collectors as the “Enterprise Baby Centennial,” and is part of Kate’s toy iron collection. Potts’ iron soon became one of the best selling inventions of the time. They gave away a tiny toy working model of the iron at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. Potts’ patent, recognizing that her invention would be a big hit with women. Potts’ iron turned into a ‘game changer’ for women.” The Enterprise Company of Philadelphia bought Mrs. This detachable handle stayed cool while the metal bases were being heated. Many changes were made in the design of the handles to make ironing safer and easier, but not until 1870 was a detachable handle patented in the United States, invented by Mary Florence Potts of Ottumwa, Iowa.
The oldest irons had solid metal handles that would get too hot to handle, making ironing a very dangerous task.
Kate’s toy iron collection reflects the changes made through the years in the real irons that mothers used, including irons with solid metal handles, metal handles with holes, and wooden handles. She showed about 35 different toy irons dating from 1850-1960 in her toy laundry display at the 2013 Thresher’s Show, along with a display of toy laundry items. Though her collection began with antique dishes and toy glass, it grew to include a wide variety of ‘girl’s toys’, including toy irons. But often it’s simply their special charm that determines whether they are added to a collection.” “The desirability of these toys depends on their age, condition, and rarity. “After that purchase, I was hooked.” Kate said. Her collecting started about 30 years ago when she made her first purchase of a Blue Willow toy tea set. However, she is mostly interested in antique toys for girls, such as dishes, dollhouses, toy stoves and cookware and housekeeping toys. Care of clothing and other washable items, including laundry and ironing, was the featured theme of the Quilting display in the Heritage Crafts Building.
A large collection of tiny antique toy irons and laundry toys was displayed by Kate Kelly at the James Valley Threshing Show.