Cinderella collectibles

This blog post shares information about Cinderella Stoves & Ranges, the Pittsburgh Stove & Range Company, and several related Cinderella brand collectibles.

The advertisement below appeared in the August 4, 1887 edition of the Clarion, Pennsylvania (PA) Democrat. It identifies this Cinderella wood burning stove as manufactured by DeHaven & Company. Both cast iron cook stoves and radiant heat parlor stoves bore the Cinderella brand.

I’ve never heard of the existence of a Cinderella sadiron, but sadiron stands were definitely produced. I have two different designs in my collection. Both feature the CINDERELLA STOVES & RANGES NEVER FAIL logo on the front; neither is signed on the reverse. Most likely these stands were an advertising promotion or a gift with the purchase of a stove.

The first sadiron stand is generic in shape. Made of nickel-plated cast iron, it measures 5 5/8″ x 4 1/8″ with four 5/8″ feet.

The second stand is more decorative in appearance. In mint condition with its gently worn original box, it measures 5 3/8″ x 4″ w/four 5/8″ feet. The nickel-plating is perfect, something rarely found in a plated sadiron stand.

Original packaging adds interest and increases value.

FYI ~ I also have this more decorative cast iron Cinderella stand in a  brass-plated version, mint in the original box.

Ephemera

Ephemera often proves useful when doing research. Definition of ephemera by Merriam Webster: paper items that were originally meant to be discarded after use but have since become collectibles.

For years I’ve been searching for documentation on my Cinderella sad iron stands. Last week I purchased this amazing envelope on eBay. Postmarked APR 5 97 (1897), it provides evidence that the Cinderella logo was in use prior to 1900.

Again, Cinderella is identified as a product of DeHaven & Company. The logo matches my two advertising stands, and the envelope includes the same three slogans found on the original box.

●  NONE BETTER FEW AS GOOD

●  THEIR CLEANLINESS LESSENS LABOR

●  THEIR ECONOMY SAVES MONEY

Postmarked APR 5 97 (1897)

On October 21, 1899 a number of individual stove and range companies consolidated into one, creating the Pittsburgh Stove and Range Company of Pittsburgh, PA.

The following original invoice is dated February 13, 1900. Notice that, among the nine different member company trademarks, CINDERELLA is included.

The Cinderella glass slipper

This blue pressed glass slipper was another Cinderella promotional item, made in 1900 by Bryce Brothers Glass Company of Mt. Pleasant, PA. On the sole is the letter “C” and the words CINDERELLA STOVES & RANGES. It measures 4 5/8″ long x 1 3/4″ wide x 1 7/8″ high.

I just ordered a copy of “Shoes of Glass” by Libby Yalom (1988) and am hoping this advertising slipper is discussed in her book. If so, I’ll be sure to add a future update below.

This Cinderella-themed Victorian Trade Card dates to the late 1800s. It measures 4 3/8″ x 2 7/8″ and is blank on the reverse. Others I’ve seen with this design sometimes include a manufacturer and/or product advertising. However, I’ve not seen one (yet) with advertising specific to the Bryce Brothers Cinderella slipper.

So, in conclusion, Cinderella is the tale of a young woman rescued from a life of kitchen drudgery by her Fairy Godmother. Perhaps that’s how a hard working housewife of the 1890s felt while using her new Cinderella range!

Update 12/03/19

Yes! The book “Shoes of Glass” by Libby Yalom (1988) confirms the blue slipper shoe is genuine. The pattern was called Crystal Daisy & Button and 14 companies had versions with their name on the sole. This slipper, signed CINDERELLA, was produced in the colors crystal, blue and amber.

H. G. Smith was granted U.S. Patent No. 351,216 on October 19, 1886 for his Glass Slipper. The patented process entailed folding the two sides of the vamp forward over a last while the glass was still pliable.

Update 1/09/20

This Cinderella parlor stove advertisement was found in the compendium Sanitary and Heating Age: The Metal Worker, Plumbing and Steam Fitter, Volume LXIV, July to December, 1905. The Metal Worker was a “newspaper” published in New York City every Saturday morning for the plumbing and steam fitter trades. It contained information as well as copious advertising. It’s one of many Google digitized references available free to the public. This particular ad was published in the August 5, 1905 edition of The Metal Worker.

To see more, here are 5 results from Google Books for Pittsburgh Stove and Range Co. and Cinderella.