The Reading Hardware Company
The Reading Hardware Company was established in 1872 and continued in operation until 1950. It was an industrial leader in the United Sates from the 1880s to the late 1920s, … Continue reading
The Red Riding Hood trivet
Artwork by Jessie Willcox Smith, 1911 (public domain) Over the past few months I’ve purchased three different versions of the Red Riding Hood trivet; all were found on eBay. Their … Continue reading
Firebar and bracketed trivets
The following page originally appeared in The Kenrick Catalogue of 1876. The image below, shared with permission, is from the 1986 softbound version of the catalog published by Tharston Press. Archibald … Continue reading
The Clark Jewel advertising stand
In a 2012 blog post I discussed The Quick Meal advertising stand. At that time I believed it to be an advertising giveaway for the Quick Meal Stove, produced by the … Continue reading
Electric Furnace Man (EFM) trivets
Each EFM trivet was hand enameled by a local artisan. The history of the EFM trivet begins with the 1907 founding of General Machine Company in New York City. The … Continue reading
The Iron Art Company, Philipsburg, NJ
The Iron Art Company of Phillipsburg, New Jersey was in business from 1959 1954 to 1989 (see Update below). It was a major distributor of cast iron products in the 1950’s … Continue reading
Robert Emig Products, Reading, PA
Front cover of the 1968 Emig catalog Robert Emig Products of Reading, Pennsylvania was a distributor of decorative metalware. Contracts were signed with independent foundries to create the castings; Emig … Continue reading
Gallery of panel trivets
A panel trivet is defined by its trowel-shaped design and an oval, square or rectangular plaque bearing advertising or an inscription. Many of these trivets were likely a promotion with … Continue reading
