As soon as I saw this antique laundry drying rack I loved it. I actually wasn't quite sure at first what it was. It was in excellent condition and has this very ornate detail on the hinge and brass caps at the end of each wood rod. I have looked on ebay and esty and found similar ones that were not as ornate or in as good of shape. I'm thinking of putting it in my laundry room once we refinish it or my dad suggested it would look nice in our bathroom.
The drying rack is stamped with a patent date of Sept. 12 1871. I looked into the patent further, it was filled by Osgood Plummer of Worchester, Mass. as an improvement to the towel rack. Below is the patent drawing and description.
On our way out I noticed this mint green enamel dutch oven and I just had to have it as well. My mom mentioned it looked like something either a relative on my dad or her side had but she couldn't remember who. We soon got the answer when I got back to my parent's house, where above their cabinets was a tea kettle from the same maker in blue from my father's grandmother. My dad said I could have the tea kettle since it went with the dutch oven. I researched a bit more and found both are Dru Holland enamelware, made in Holland. The company went out of business in the 1970's. Yellow Dru Holland is the oldest, from the 1930's, and considered more rare. The blue is from the 1950's. I'm guessing the mint green is from the 1940's or 60's but haven't been able to confirm yet. I will definitely have to make a trip back to the store next time I am in town.
