My wife loves old-looking things so we picked up this item at an estate sale.  Based on the little we found on the Internet (including eBay pictures), it has something to do with weaving.  Couldn't figure out if I could add more than one picture, but I have other close-ups.  The green Lable, in the middle, says "Made by, The Whitaker Reed Co., Wocester, Mass. U.S.A.".

Can someone help us identify when it was made, if it's part of another machine, possible value, etc.?

Thank you.

Comments

Sun, 02/28/2016 - 23:40

Lunargent

Hi - 

The top item is a reed, which fits into the beater of a weaving loom. It keeps the threads properly spaced and in order. If it's in good condition, without too much rust, and of a size that will fit the loom, weavers often buy used equipment. If it's so rusty that it's pitted, or dented up, then it's a conversation piece.

I have no idea what the thing underneath it is - photo is kind of blurry.

Mon, 02/29/2016 - 02:01

R. M. Rylko

Thank you for the info.  As soon as I found this web site I had a feeling that the mystery (i.e... what this item was) would be solved in short order.

As for the item below (in the picture), it's a ruler that I placed there for people to get an idea of its size.  By the way, there are no bends or dents, and no rust.

Any idea as to its age?  Looking at the label (no ZIP Code), and based on what I've been able to find with your help, Whitaker was established in 1869 and I was able to find one of their ads (http://www.mocavo.com/Official-American-Textile-Directory-1923/369448/100) from the 1923 "Official American Textile Directory".  The reed in the ad looks VERY similar to what I have.

 

Mon, 02/29/2016 - 02:13

R. M. Rylko

Just figured out how to add the image shown in the URL from my previous reply