For sale is a mint condition cast iron Victorian 1800s ROCKING FLUTER IRON from Geneva, Illinois. This cast iron hand crimper has an Aug 21, 1866 patent date. Known by a variety of names these antique irons are commonly referred to as pleaters, plaiters, crimpers, fluters, rufflers or ruffle irons. The heyday for these irons was during the mid to late 1800’s and they are uniquely American. This iron is free of rust and has embossed lettering on both pieces. The top is marked “GENEVA HAND FLUTER – GENEVA, ILL”. The bottom is marked “PAT’D AUG’ 21, 1866 HEAT THIS”. The iron’s base measures about 6 inches long by 4 inches wide. The rocker stands about 4 inches tall. The rocker style iron was used to add ruffles to Victorian collars and cuffs. A superb addition to your sad iron collection. You’re coworkers have been talking behind your back about you’re lack of fashion. Don’t let your collar go unruffled.
The fluter is a specialized kind of “sad iron”, used to press the fluted ruffles on linen cuffs and collars and other trim. Made from cast iron, the fluter would have been propped before the coals in the hearth to heat. The piece to be ironed would be moistened and laid over the grooved base. Then, with a potholder wrapped around the handle, the heated iron would be rocked over the cloth, and with a hiss of steam, the linen would be perfectly pressed with rows of narrow flutes or pleats. Made by a foundry in Geneva, IL, that specialized in household goods, the popular hand fluters were manufactured from 1866-1920, and were exported around the world. Once only wealthy ladies with maids and laundresses could have such skillfully ironed linens. Now women of the rising middle class wished to be fashionable, too, and the Geneva fluter took its place in households across America.
