Antique US Patent Model 1869 Boot & Shoe Stretcher

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Antique US Patent Model 1869 Boot & Shoe Stretcher - Beautiful maple model

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Antique US Patent Model 1869 Boot & Shoe Stretcher - Beautiful maple model

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Sold Date: 09/29/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Fraternal, Political, Organizations

An Original American Patent Model Offering
circa 1836-1890s
From US PATENT MODEL FOUNDATION GALLERIES

Submitted by its hopeful inventor, this is the actual model that 19th century patent examiners relied upon to award a patent. Each one-of-a-kind patent model is from the original U.S. Patent Office collections circa 1836 - late 1800s when inventors had to submit models with their patent applications. To conserve space, they were to be no more than 12 inches square. Each model represents a specific, patented invention, identified by its own patent number, and is the only such one in existence. Today, these diminutive models are seen mostly in private collections and prestigious institutions such as the Smithsonian, and are highly prized by astute collectors worldwide. If you aren’t familiar with patent models (sometimes confused with salesmen samples) scroll to the bottom of the page to learn about these curious, one-of-a-kind icons of 19th century American ingenuity.

Models come with a Certificate of Authenticity and parchment copies of patent and claims suitable for framing. As
with any historical item from the 1800’s, signs of age and wear are common and are considered part of a model’s charm.
Please review item carefully and ask questions before bidding, as items are not returnable unless not as described.

Patent: 091,920 Boot & Shoe Stretcher
Patent Date: June 29, 1869

Inventor: Jonathan L. Devol
From: Parkersburg, WV – Wood County
Model Size-inches: 11 x 7 x 2
Material: Maple, iron, brass
Tags: Replica Patent Tag

This Model:

This is just what the doctor, or should I say podiatrist, ordered—a way to stretch those tight, pinching 19 th century leather boots and shoes and ease some sore tootsies and a bunion or two. This stretcher must have worked pretty well, because the design has changed a whole lot over time. It’s made beautifully, from mellow maple, has a lovely brass plate and is in great condition. Since its original patent tag disappeared over time, we’ll provide a replica tag with this one. (We forgot to take pix of it, but it's like the others we provide when the original is no longer available.) Grab it now and give it a prominent place on your display shelf, or if your shoes are a little uncomfortable....just kidding, don't you dare!

Patent Excerpt:

“The device being inserted in a boot or shoe which it is intended to stretch, the same may be stretched sidewise by drawing the wedge between the portions and separating them, or lengthwise, by pushing the wedge forward.”

Original drawings and patent claims, as seen in this listing, can also be viewed at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office website http://patft.uspto.gov Type in the patent number, A copy of it will also be sent with your model, along with a Certificate of Authenticity. Trivia! The faded, red-colored tape attached to the tag was of the type widely used by 19th century government officials to bundle papers and the like. It gave rise to the famous expression "government red tape" still in use today.

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U.S. PATENT MODELS – 1836 TO NOW

A Patent Model is the actual invention prototype, which, by law, an inventor was once required to submit to the U.S. Patent Office, in Washington, when seeking a patent. The law stated that the model was to be no larger than 12 inches square, thus patent models are all miniature devices, which greatly adds to their appeal.
These models were required for a little more than a half-century, circa 1836 to approximately 1890. Models were sent with pat...