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This collection brings together museum grade historical objects prepared for visual storytelling. Rooted in Detroit’s industrial and domestic past, each artifact is curated within a larger material system and preserved for camera ready use. Objects are available for editorial, stage, film, and institutional loan, offering authenticity that cannot be replicated.
Domestic Systems
Our Islands and Their People
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on Cuba, Caribbean history, travel literature, colonial and postcolonial studies, or approved placement. Our Islands and Their People United States c. 1902–1905 Illustrated cloth bound first edition volume with photographic plates and gilt stamped cover Dating & Attribution This volume, titled Our Islands and Their People, belongs to a popular early twentieth century series documenting terr
Cerveceria La Tropical- Postcard Packet
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on Cuban tourism, brewery history, postcard culture, advertising ephemera, travel souvenirs, or approved placement. Souvenir of Tropical Brewery Postcard Packet Cervecería La Tropical Havana, Cuba c. 1907 to 1915 Printed paper postcard packet with selected photographic views, bilingual Spanish and English cover text, divided postcard backs, printed in France Dating & Attribution This object
Dairy of a Traveling Victorian Woman
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement. "A Life A Day" Personal Diary United States c. 1907–1910 Printed daily diary with leather or leatherette binding, gilt-stamped cover, handwritten ink entries Dating and Identification This small personal diary, titled A Life A Day, contains handwritten entries documenting daily activities between approximately 1907 and 1910. Internal inscriptions reference dates incl
Pleating Machine
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, textile study, or domestic labor interpretation. Fabric Crimper (Pleating Machine) United States c.1880–1910 Cast iron with wooden handle Dating and Identification This object is best identified as a fabric crimper, also referred to as a pleating machine, designed to create uniform decorative textures in cloth. The presence of multiple ridged rollers, a hand-crank mechanism, and a stable cast iron base distinguishes it
Copper Wash Boiler
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, domestic life interpretation, or material culture study. Copper Wash Boiler (Laundry Boiling Tub) United States c. late 19th century–early 20th century (approximately 1880–1920) Copper body with tin or galvanized lid; iron handles with wooden grips Dating and Identification This object is best identified as a copper wash boiler, sometimes referred to as a laundry boiling tub, used for heating water and boiling textiles
Geneva Hand Fluter
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, textile study, or domestic labor interpretation. Geneva Hand Fluter United States c. late 19th century–early 20th century (likely 1880s–1910s) Cast iron and metal components Dating and Identification This object is identified as a hand fluter, also known as a ruffling or crimping iron, used to create decorative pleats and fluted edges in fabric. The raised lettering visible on the body reads “GENEVA HAND FLUTER,” which
Simmons Hardware Co. Sad Iron
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, domestic labor study, or industrial manufacturing interpretation. Simmons Hardware Company Sad Iron United States c. late 19th century–early 20th century (likely 1880s–1910s) Cast iron, wood Dating and Identification This cast iron “sad iron” is identifiable by the stamped text on the wooden handle reading “Simmons Hdw. Co. St. Louis,” referring to Simmons Hardware Company. The company was a major distributor of tools
Bissell Carpet Sweeper
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, domestic technology study, or early household innovation interpretation. Bissell “Grand Rapids” Carpet Sweeper United States c. late 19th century–early 20th century (likely 1890s–1910s) Wood, metal, rubber, and internal brush mechanism Provenance: None documented Dating and Identification This manually operated carpet sweeper is identifiable as a product of Bissell through the gold lettering reading “Bissell’s Grand R
Durabilt Travel Iron
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, domestic technology study, or mid-century consumer innovation interpretation. Durabilt “A.C.–D.C. Companion” Travel Iron United States c. 1940s (with replacement electrical cord, c. 1960s) Chrome-plated metal, plastic (handle), electrical components, replacement cord, leatherette case, textile cloth Dating and Identification This compact electric iron is identified by the stamped marking “Durabilt A.C.–D.C. Companion” o
Armour Quality Products Wooden Toy Bank
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, toy history study, or mid-century consumer culture interpretation. “Armour Quality Products” Wooden Toy Bank United States c. 1950s Wood, printed ink, rubber stopper Dating and Identification This wooden toy bank is identifiable through the printed inscription “Armour Quality Products,” prominently displayed within an oval decorative frame on the side of the vehicle. The phrase is associated with Armour and Company, a
Stamps Saver Books and Stamp Sheets
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, consumer culture study, or mid-century retail history interpretation. S&H Green Stamps Saver Books and Stamp Sheets United States c. late 1950s–mid 1960s Printed paper ephemera Dating and Identification This group of saver books and loose stamp sheets can be dated to the late 1950s through the mid-1960s , based on branding, typography, and imagery associated with the Sperry & Hutchinson Company (S&H). Several visual clu
Taylor Meat and Poultry Thermometer
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, or domestic material culture interpretation. Taylor Roast Meat and Poultry Thermometer (Complete Set with Box and Insert) United States c. 1940s–1950s Metal, glass, printed paper, and cardboard Dating This example can be dated to the mid-twentieth century, most likely the 1940s to early 1950s , based on a combination of manufacturing details, company identification, and graphic design. The label id
Pyrex “Butterprint” Bowl Set
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, or decorative arts interpretation. Pyrex “Butterprint” Cinderella Bowl Set (Three-Piece Group) United States, Corning Glass Works c. 1957–1968 Opal (milk) glass with screen-printed enamel decoration Dating This set dates to the late 1950s through the 1960s , a period when Pyrex expanded beyond utilitarian kitchenware into highly stylized, mass-marketed consumer goods. The “Butterprint” pattern , int
Wood Recipe Holder
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on domestic culinary practices, or approved placement. Wooden Recipe Stand with Ring-Bound Recipe Cards United States, c. 1940–1970 Wood, metal rings, paper recipe cards, mixed handwritten and printed content Dating & Attribution This object is a wooden countertop recipe stand with ring-bound recipe cards , dating approximately to the mid-20th century (c. 1940–1970) . The construction (tur
Johnson & Johnson First Aid Autokit
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on domestic medical preparedness, automotive safety culture, or approved placement. First Aid Autokit United States c. 1930s–1950s Painted metal tin, paper booklet, paper-wrapped gauze and bandages, glass bottles, plastic screw caps, mercurochrome antiseptic Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a Johnson & Johnson First Aid Autokit , a compact automobile first aid kit made in
Colgate’s Lilac Imperial Perfume Bottle
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on early perfumery and personal grooming culture, or approved placement. Colgate’s Lilac Imperial Perfume Bottle Colgate & Company, New York, USA, c. 1900–1920Glass bottle with paper label, metal atomizer stopper, commercial fragrance product Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a Colgate’s “Lilac Imperial” perfume bottle , produced by Colgate & Company , dating approximately t
Spiro Powder
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on early personal hygiene and consumer advertising, or approved placement. Toilet Powder Box The Spiro Powder Company, Niagara Falls, New York, c. 1900–1915 Printed paperboard box, commercial packaging, cosmetic hygiene product Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a Spiro Powder toilet powder box , produced by The Spiro Powder Company of Niagara Falls, New York, dating to app
Miniature Toilet Set
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on Victorian and early twentieth-century domestic culture and miniature decorative objects, or approved placement. Miniature Vanity Toilet Set Europe or United States, c. 1890–1920 Mixed materials including metal, porcelain, and stone or alabaster base, applied decorative elements Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a miniature vanity toilet set , dating approximately to circ
Chevalier Paris Opera Glasses
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on nineteenth-century optical instruments and leisure culture, or approved placement. Chevalier Opera Glasses with Case Attributed to the Chevalier Family of Opticians, Paris France, c. 1850–1880 Brass optical barrels, leather-wrapped body, central focus mechanism, original fitted case Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a pair of Chevalier opera glasses , attributed to the r
George Bent Co. Sewing Stand Stool
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on early twentieth-century domestic labor and sewing culture, or approved placement. George Bent Co. Sewing Stand Stool Manufactured by George Bent Company, Gardner, Massachusetts United States, 1932 Turned wood construction, integrated storage compartment, upholstered lid Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a sewing stand stool manufactured by the George Bent Company , a well
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