Name/Title
Toy Sad IronDescription
Miniature sad iron used to mimic "Mommy" ironing clothes,Use
For children to play house; possibly for ironing ruffles or trims on women's clothing.Context
The Dover Dolly Iron was a popular American child-sized cast iron toy produced by the Dover Manufacturing Company, often in Canal Dover, Ohio, between the late 1890s and the 1930s. Designed to look and function like adult "sad irons" of the era, these durable toys featured a detachable handle/top and were produced in various models.
Design & Function: The toy consisted of a heavy solid cast iron base (shoe) and a removable, stamped steel cover or "hood". They were designed to let children mimic their parents, sometimes by heating them on top of a stove.
Popular from roughly the late 1890s through the 1930s. The company was acquired by the Nap Monarch Company of St. Louis in 1936, which continued to produce Dover-branded items into the 1950s.Collection
Esther DeveauxCataloged By
Bryant, Sherry AnneDimensions
Dimension Description
Removable base: 3 1/2" long, 1 3/4" wide, pointed oval shape. Pin head on top to attach cover with handle. DOVER MADE U.S.A. DOLLY IRON.Height
3/4 inWidth
1-1/4 inLength
2-3/4 inCondition
Reason for Exam
InventoryOverall Condition
Very GoodCondition Type
Missing cover with handle.Date Examined
Apr 14, 2026Examined By
Bryant, Sherry Anne