Washing machine
Thomas Bradford and Co.
Category
Historic Services / Laundry
Date
Unknown
Materials
wood; cast iron; spring steel; rubber
Measurements
970 mm (H)1000 mm (W)780 mm (D)690 mm (H)580 mm (W)360 mm (D)
Place of origin
Manchester
Order this imageCollection
Chirk Castle, Wrexham
NT 1171048
Summary
Washing machine. A 'Vowel 'A' 2' hand operated washing machine by 'Thomas Bradford and Co., London and Manchester', a polygonal wooden drum rotating on a cast iron frame, mounted with a 'Wallness Wringer' type mangle by Bradfords on top. Large cast iron drive wheel at one end of drum. Plate on lid; 'Open the ventilator for half a minute/put the clothes in separately/side by side/and press together/not one upon Another/Soap Jelly one Gall/water to pound of soap boiled/use as little water and soap as possible with 'The Vowel' washing machine'.
Provenance
Amongst chattels previously on loan to the National Trust from the Myddelton family. These chattels were purchased on behalf of the National Trust in the Christie's auction at Chirk on 21st June 2004.
Marks and inscriptions
Open the ventilator for half a minute/put the clothes in separately/side by side/and press together/not one upon Another/Soap Jelly one Gall/water to pound of soap boiled/use as little water and soap as possible with The Vowel washing machine (plate on lid)
Makers and roles
Thomas Bradford and Co., manufacturer