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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.
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
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
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
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
Interwar Vanity Set
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on early twentieth-century domestic vanity culture, or approved placement. Interwar Vanity Mirror and Silverplate Basket Set United States or Europe c. 1925–1940 Nickel-plated or chrome-plated metal mirror, pressed or cast metal frame; silverplate basket with pierced lattice body and applied decorative motifs Dating & Attribution This grouping consists of a freestanding adjustable vanity mi
Pince-Nez Eyeglasses with Beaded Case
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on optical history, or approved placement. Pince-Nez Eyeglasses with Beaded Case United States or Europe, c. 1880–1915 Gold-tone metal pince-nez frame with glass lenses, attached retaining chain, decorative beaded spectacle case Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a pair of pince-nez eyeglasses , a style of vision-correcting spectacles that rests on the bridge of the nose wit
Esquire Shoe Care Chest
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, design history research, or approved placement. Esquire Shoe Care Chest (with Brushes and Polish) United States, c. 1948–1958 Stained wood case with printed label, horsehair brushes, cotton polishing cloth, metal tin polish Note: Missing one original dauber (dobber); otherwise complete. Dating & Attribution This object is identified as an Esquire Shoe Care Chest , manufactured in the United States
Chicago Pencil Sharpener
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement. Chicago Automatic Pencil Sharpener (Automatic Pencil Sharpener Company) United States (Chicago, Illinois), c. 1910–1935 Cast metal body with enamel finish, steel internal gearing, hand-crank mechanism Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a hand-cranked Chicago Automatic Pencil Sharpener , produced by the Automatic Pencil Sharpener Company (APSCO) of Ch
Hien Fong Essence / “Green Drops” Patent Medicine Bottle
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement. Hien Fong Essence / “Green Drops” Patent Medicine Bottle United States, c. 1900–1925 Glass bottle with original printed paper wrapper Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a patent medicine bottle containing Hien Fong Essence , also marketed as “Green Drops,” and dates to the early twentieth century, approximately c. 1900–1925 . The dating is supported
Hand Agitator/ Laundry Posser
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement. Hand Agitator / Laundry Posser United States or United Kingdom, c. 1870–1910 Galvanized metal cone, turned wooden handle Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a hand laundry agitator , commonly known as a posser , and is attributed to the late nineteenth to early twentieth century (c. 1870–1910) . Its dating is supported by material composition, stamped
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