TRIVETOLOGY
Collecting, cleaning, displaying, researching, and appreciating TRIVETS and related go-withs!
The little Harpel Goose iron
In July 2024 I attended the PITCA Convention in Archbold, Ohio. I was able to examine during preview, then win, this 3 3/8″ long Harpel “Swan” Iron during the pre-convention auction.
For an in-depth discussion of this little figural iron (identified as a Goose by Judy Politzer in her first book Tuesday’s Children), read my 2011 blog post Ray Harpel and his collectible irons and trivets.
Auction caption: TC33b in original black paint with gold. 3 3/8″.
Another Harpel Goose iron
Recently I was contacted by Ashley Lopez Hudson of Charlotte, NC who wrote “I’m almost positive I have a Ray Harpel swan iron with a sticker on the bottom.” The iron was in unrestored condition, as found. I asked her to email me some images.
After receiving and studying her three images (below), I agreed that it was a genuine Harpel. This little treasure belonged to the late Vera Belle Hudson, the grandmother of Ashley’s husband.
The Reading Bicentennial Celebration 1748-1948
The emblem on this gold foil sticker was the official logo for Reading Pennsylvania’s Bicentennial Celebration, held August 14 through September 6, 1948 at the Reading Fair Grounds.
Could it be possible that Ray Harpel produced and sold some of his figural goose irons during the centennial? Or did the owner of that iron simply affix a decorative sticker to the soleplate? We may never know for sure …
If you have any information to add, please Comment below and share!
One comment on “The little Harpel Goose iron”
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TRIVETOLOGY 
Lynn – Ray Harpel made a number of little irons and trivets. I tend to agree with Judy Politzer that this one is a goose!
A number of years ago there was a little iron and trivet set on eBay with gold paint and a paper label identical to the one above. I (mistakenly) thought this was a common set and placed a token bid on it. I was outbid by another club member who lives not far from Allentown. This set, minus the label, is shown in “Tuesday’s Children” figure 368b.
I think Ray must have made a limited number of these, along with a goose or two, for the bicentennial Celebration.