General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

4

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Nickel-plated cast iron sole plate. Tin (?) fuel tank. Porcelain enameled cast metal sides. Wooden hand grip. Synthetic valve knob.

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

27.0 cm

Width

10.0 cm

Height

16.8 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Domestic Technology

Category

Laundry

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

Coleman

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

City

Toronto

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

Common in rural areas of Canada before electrification (1911 into the 1950s). Coleman Lamp and Stove Company also operated out of Toronto, Ontario (1925). Coleman manufactured these irons in Canada up until the 1960s, as there were still some homes without electricity. "Coleman" brand irons were best known as gas or liquid fuel irons. Donated to the museum by a resident of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Function

Used to press flat and/or remove wrinkles from fabrics. This style of iron was equipped with a tank filled with kerosene which had to be pressurized through the use of a small hand pump. Liquid fuel ran through a tube hear the burner element, vaporized and burned. The temperature of the sole plate could be controlled with a small adjustment to the wheel.

Technical

It was marketed as an advancement in the design and task of ironing, as the user was not longer attached to the hot oven, electrical source or gas supply. The iron's manufacturer also highlights an increasing trend in North American relations of American companies seeking markets and less expensive plant production within the Canadian economy.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

Engraving on handle reads: ‘MODEL 4A Instant-Lite/[two lightning bolts on either side of a sun, stamped into metal]/ Coleman Lamp & Stove Co. Limited/ TORONTO-CANADA’. ‘COLEMAN’ AND ‘MADE IN CANADA’ appears in raised print on inside of iron base.

Missing

From CA of 04/12/1994 by Tony Missio: No - Complete

Finish

Nickel-plated iron sole plate and top. Handle and tank painted light blue. Light blue porcelain enamel.

Decoration

Sun, engraved with mfr.'s name, decorates iron top.