Search the collections

Search the collections 78,397 records currently online

or return to home page

Where is it from?

Association locations map

Tags

Add your own tags:
Separate multiple tags using a comma

Similar items over time

  • Mangle - Hand Operated, G H Nicoll & Co, 1820
    1820
  • Keys - Iron, circa 1860
    1848
  • Mouth Gag - Metal, circa 1850
    1850
  • Saw - Post Mortem, Henry Disston & Sons, circa 1850
    1850
  • Candlestick Holder - Metal, circa 1850
    1850
  • Bunsen Burner - circa 1850
    1850
  • Medicine Chest - Wooden, circa 1850
    1850
  • Padlock & Key - Chubb & Sons, 1859
    1859
  • Pharmacist's Mortar - Cast Iron, circa 1860
    1860

Mangle - Hand Operated, G H Nicoll & Co, 1820 Object Reg. No: SH 850283

Mangle
Summary:
Hand-operated mangle used to wring water from wet laundry at a mental health hospital in Victoria, Australia, circa 1880. Manufactured by Nicoll, G.H. & Co., 1820.
Description:
Mangle has tall, cast-iron frame with 3 large wooden rollers. Sides of frame are shaped like narrow, pointed arches, holding alternating wood and metal blocks which support rods through rollers. Middle roller has large cog-wheel attached to right end of rod. This connects to larger turning wheel with long horizontal wooden handle (and 3 curved spokes). Pressure on rollers maintained by massive, arched spring across top of frame, ends fitting into arches at side above rollers and which is pushed down by a large vertical screw (with turning wheel on top) which threads down through top crossbar to push down on highest part of spring. Frame is bolted to stand with bowed front legs and with angularly curved, diagonal cross-bars. Once painted green, now flaking.
Acquisition Information:
Donation from Office of Psychiatric Services
Discipline: History
Dimensions: 156.00 cm (Height), 70.00 cm (Width), 123.00 cm (Length)

More information

Tagged with: laundry equipment, psychiatric hospitals, reg no 295755
Themes this item is part of: Psychiatric Services Collection, Medicine in Society Collection, Public Life & Institutions Collection
Primary Classification: MEDICINE & HEALTH
Secondary Classification: Mental Health - Institutional Life
Tertiary Classification: laundering
Inscriptions: G.H.NICOLL & Co. BANK STREET embossed across front, top. DUNDEE embossed on back, top.
Manufacturer: G.H. Nicoll & Co., Dundee, Scotland, Great Britain, 1820
Place & Date Used: Victoria, Australia, circa 1880
References: Oral history, Dr E.C.Dax, 4 May 1992

Comments

gerry griffiths Posted on 15 May 2010 9:36 PM
I am trying to find out how the actual rollers were manufactured. I have an old mangle which has rollers in very poor condition and would like, if possible to replace them as they are probably beyond restoration.
Discovery Centre Posted on 19 May 2010 1:41 PM
Museum Victoria Comment
This might be a job for a creative carpenter, Gerry, as mangles were last manufactured many decades ago. Local wood suppliers may also be able to give advice about sourcing cylindrical pieces.
Alasdair Nicoll Posted on 29 May 2011 10:32 AM
The mangle would have been manufactured after 1840 as George Nicoll did not start his business until 1840. The business did not become GH and G Nicoll and Co until 1853 when he made his nephew George a partner. The busness reverted to GH Nicoll and Co in 1876 after his nephew died.
In an advertisement in the Dundee Directory of 1882/3 It indicates that portable Family mangles recieved the Second award of Merit at the Melbourne Exhibition of 1881
Darcy Posted on 23 Oct 2011 9:59 PM
I have a wrench with "GH Nicoll & Co Dundee" stamped on the side. Does anybody know where I can find more information on this company?
Alasdair Nicoll Posted on 12 May 2012 5:49 PM
Hi Darcey,

I could provide some information.What is your email address
Discovery Centre Posted on 13 May 2012 9:29 AM
Museum Victoria Comment
Hi Alasdair, please be aware that we don't publish private email addresses on the website. If you do have information please leave it here as a comment.

Add your question or comment

  • Museum Victoria does not provide valuations, for more information please visit the valuation infosheet
  • Please note that Museum Victoria staff will not normally respond to comments posted on our website.

Themes

This item is part of the following themes:

Similar items

Recent Comments

PS. My grandfather's name was Norman Mostyn, and his son was Savile Mostyn.

Lyn S on Steam Ship Model - RMS Osterley, Orient Line, 1909

Tweet

To read the latest tweets from @museumvictoria

Follow us at http://twitter.com/museumvictoria

Join Up & Join In!

Follow Museum Victoria on

MV Links

Hi, this is definitely at Melbourne Observatory, not Sydney Observatory. Measurement at Sydney Observatory did not start until 1916 and also the table represent ...

Toner Stevenson on Negative - Assistant on the Astrograph Project, Melbourne Observatory, circa 1905

MV Membership

MV E-News

Museum Victoria   |   GPO Box 666 Melbourne 3001, Victoria, Australia   |   Bookings & Enquiries 13 11 02
State Government Victoria
Yes No