IRON, WAFER

Description: 1. IRON: 4.5CM (H) X 23.1CM (W) X 20.1CM (L). CAST IRON IRON IS IN SHAPE OF CROSS WITH TWO TABS AT END OF MIDDLE OFCROSS ARMS. HAS A HINGE IN MIDDLE OF TOP OF CROSS. ETCHED ACROSS IT READS "ALFRED ANDRESEN MINNEAPOLIS". HAS A HALF CIRCLE HANDLE IN CENTRE OF BOTTOM SECTION OF CROSS. OPENS ON HINGE AND INSIDE IS DIVIDED INTO FIVE SECTIONS. THREE ARE DOWN, AND TWO ON EITHER SIDE ARE IDENTICAL IN DESIGN ON EACH SIDE. IS A SWIRL AND LEAF PATTERN. BOTTOM IS SAME AS TOP EXCEPT HAS "C 3" STAMPED IN. HAS GREASE AND SOME CORROSION. INSIDE DESIGN IS WEARING OFF IN PLACES. APPEARS TO HAVE CHARRED SURFACE COATING. 2. COVER: 3.9CM (H) X 27.8CM (D). CAST IRON COVER FITS OVER WOOD BURNING STOVE. HAS A FLAT BASE WITH TWO HANDLES AS ON #1 ON EITHER SIDE OF LENGTH OF CROSS. HAS HOLLOW CENTRE IN SHAPE OF CROSS WITH RAISED EDGES. IRON RESTS ON SIDE NOTCHES WHERE TABS FOR SUPPORT FIT IN. TOP AND BOTTOM EDGES HAVE LARGER NOTCHES BUTT INTO THEM. BOTTOM IS FLAT WITH THE OPENING EXCEPT HAS A RAISED EDGE AROUND BASE TO FIT ONTO STOVE. SAME CONDITIONS AS #1.

History: PURCHASED IN MINNESOTA OR N. DAKOTA IN EARLY 1900'S. PARENTS IMMIGRATED TO CANADA IN 1910. MOTHER WAS SWEDISH, SHE MARRIED IN CARMANGAY BECAUSE THERE WAS NO LUTHERAN CHURCH IN LETHBRIDGE. DONOR HAS LIVED IN LETHBRIDGE AREA ALL HIS LIFE. PARENTS FARMED AT IRON SPRINGS, THEN RAN THE POST OFFICE. HE WAS A STEAM ENGINEER.