Tilley paraffin iron

A domestic iron, model DN. 250, manufactured by the Tilley Lamp Company Ltd. The iron operates on paraffin (kerosene) and was first released in 1951. Advertised as having no wires or flexes, it is a self-contained unit that could be used both indoors or out, for example, on holiday. Burning for four hours on 1/3rd pint of paraffin, it was originally sold for £3/8/6. Cream coloured with a black bakelite (phenol formaldehyde) handle that attaches to the fuel tank, and a steel sole plate, it was made in England (Hendon), although production moved to Ireland in the 1960s for the updated model, the DN 250A (production ceased in 1970). This example is complete with its original box, alcohol bottle, leaflet and instructions (funnel is missing). Predating the steam iron and succeeding sad/flat irons which had to be heated on the stove, contemporary evidence suggests that in practice this model ran too hot for use with synthetic textiles.

stamped: "Model DN 250. Made in England. British patent 524719. Australian patent 114305." (End of sole plate)

AIBDC : 009270