Sunday, February 13, 2022

Pressing Matters

If you have an urge to make your own wine or cider, this vintage fruit press is just what you need. Not only is it so much neater than trying to stomp on grapes in the bathtub, this handsome iron and wood vise makes a delightful decorative item.  


It was made by the Red Cross Manufacturing Company, located in Bluffton, Indiana. Originally founded in 1898 to manufacture farm windmills, the company adopted the name Red Cross Manufacturing Company in 1902. It manufactured a wide variety of farm and gardening equipment, such as livestock troughs, pumps, corn shellers, hay bale conveyors, lawn mowers, and shredders. Following the enactment of Prohibition in 1918, the company introduced fruit presses and mills for home use. The company went out of business in 1974.


An ad from the 1920s pictures a similar fruit press by Red Cross "For The Man Who Wants A Small Handy Press." The ad describes the press as being made from maple and poplar woods.


All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New but things can sell quickly!
 12708-2635





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