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What-is-it question CCVII

OK, this one is stretching the limits of the forum to the extreme, as it's not connected with jewellery or silverware, and it's only nickel-plated, but it is connected with an item of a lady's adornment, and for many of us, if we came across such a piece, we may not be aware of its original purpose:



I guess the item that is illustrated around its actual size, though may be a little larger. The item is from 1909.

Think ladies fashion.

Trev.

Hi,

Is it for trimming hat feathers?

Martin

Brilliant Martin, that's close enough!





One of the latest offerings in the notion trade is a simple little hand device for the curling of ostrich-feather flues. One of these curlers is shown, actual size, in Fig. 1. Here is an item in which every buyer of notions should be interested, because while there is admittedly a need for something of this kind in domestic circles, it is not known that any article designed for this specific purpose has heretofore been offered to the trade. The handles of the curlers are of ebony-coated wood and the blades, which are of nickel-plated metal, are shaped to conform to the contour of the thumb end.

To curl feathers with this curler the method of procedure is to, after shaking the feather over a Steaming kettle and drying it, take up about six or eight flues at a time and draw them lightly between the thumb and the blade, exerting a slight pressure toward the latter. After all the flues have been thus handled the feather can be combed lightly to work out the curls that are too tight or ends of lines that may be tangled. Affording an excellent margin of profit, the curlers can be retailed, each put up in a cardboard box and accompanied by directions, for 25 cents apiece.

Source: Dry Goods Economist - 12th June 1909

Trev.