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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
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
1908 Banking Documents
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on early twentieth-century banking practices, or approved placement. 1908 Banking Documents Ohio Savings Bank & Trust Co. Check and Cleveland Trust Company Receipt United States, 1908 Printed bank forms with handwritten ink entries Dating & Attribution This grouping consists of two original banking documents dating to 1908 , representing routine financial and administrative transactions in
Throat Atomizer
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, medical history research, or approved placement. Standard’s Throat Atomizer United States, c. 1895–1925 Glass reservoir, nickel-plated brass fittings, rubber compression bulb, internal glass tube Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a hand-operated medical throat atomizer , manufactured in the United States by the Standard Drug Company and commonly marketed under the name Standard’s T
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
The Reeves Suction Sweeper,
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement. The Reeves Suction Sweeper, United States Milford, Connecticut c. 1910–1914 metal, wood Dating & Attributions The Reeves Vacuum Cleaner Company , based in Milford, Connecticut , was active in the production of hand-powered suction sweepers between approximately 1904 and 1916 , with peak manufacturing and marketing occurring around 1910–1914 . During this period, Ree
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
Bausch & Lomb Microscope
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement. Bausch & Lomb Student Microscope with Wooden Case United States, c. 1895–1915 Cast iron stand, brass optical tube, glass optics, wooden storage case Dating & Attribution This microscope is attributed to the turn-of-the-century period, c. 1895–1915 , and is identified as an early Bausch & Lomb student or educational compound microscope . The dating is supported by it
Student Lamp (Candle)
Status: Available for Loan Consideration f or exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement. Transitional Student Lamp (Candle / Early Oil Configuration) England, Germany, or United States, c. 1840–1875 Brass, turned metal components, candle and oil fittings Dating & Attribution This student lamp is attributed to the mid-nineteenth century (c. 1840–1875) and identified as a transitional student lamp , designed to accommodate candle illumination while incor
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