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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.
Full Catalogue
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
Copy of Standard Computing Scale Co.
Status: Available for Loan Consideration or exhibition, institutional study, research on commercial measurement systems, or approved placement. Standard Computing Scale (The Standard Computing Scale Company) United States, c. 1907–1925 Cast iron body with enamel finish, brass and steel internal mechanism, glass display window, metal weighing plate Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a Standard Computing Scale , manufactured by The Standard Computing Scale Comp
Sulfanilamide Packet and Ointment Tin
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, military history interpretation, or medical history research. U.S. Military First Aid Group (Pouch, Sulfanilamide Packet, and Ointment Tin) United States c. 1940s (World War II era) Canvas, paper, steel, medicinal compound residue Dating This three-part grouping dates to the World War II period (circa 1940s) . The olive drab canvas pouch stamped “U.S.” is characteristic of standard-issue American mi
Willson Welding Goggles
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on industrial safety, occupational health, or approved placement. Willson Welding Goggles United States c. 1930s–1950s Plastic (early polymer), glass lenses, elastic or fabric strap, metal fittings Dating These goggles are best dated to the mid-twentieth century, circa 1930s–1950s , based on their materials and form. The use of molded plastic frames, rather than earlier leather or metal-on
General Electric Employee ID Tag
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on labor history, corporate identity systems, or approved placement . GE Employee Identification Tag United States c. 1940s–1950s Metal, paper photograph, celluloid or plastic covering, metal ball chain Dating This identification tag is best dated to the mid-twentieth century, circa 1940s–1950s , based on its materials, photographic style, and construction. The small circular format with a
Worker's Lunch Pale and Universal Thermos
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on industrial labor, working-class daily life, or approved placement. Worker’s Lunch Pail with Thermos United States c. 1940s–1960s Painted steel, aluminum, glass vacuum bottle (interior), plastic, enamel coating Dating This lunch pail and accompanying thermos are best dated to the mid-twentieth century, circa 1940s–1960s , based on their materials and construction. The pressed steel body
Copy of Universal Hand Pump Oiler
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on early twentieth-century domestic and industrial utility devices, or approved placement. Universal Hand Pump Oiler Manufactured by Universal (Saginaw, Michigan) United States, c. 1925–1945 Metal reservoir can, cylindrical pump body, internal piston mechanism, applicator rod Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a Universal hand pump oiler , manufactured in Saginaw, Michigan ,
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
Harry Blide Check Protector
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on early twentieth-century financial security systems, or approved placement. Harry Blide Check Protector Machine United States, c. 1920–1940 Enamel-coated metal housing, mechanical stamping system, numeric dial plate, paper feed tray Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a Harry Blide check protector machine , dating approximately to circa 1920–1940 , within the early to mid-tw
Rite-a-Note
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement. Rite A Note Pocket Memorandum Case United States c. 1910s–1930s Brass, Notepad, Pencil Object Description and Materials This object is a Rite A Note pocket memorandum case , a compact, portable writing tool designed to carry paper and pencil together within a protective metal enclosure. The case is constructed from pressed brass or brass-plated steel , evident in it
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