There ought to be a rule that all vintage items come with a handy dated box, like this L’Mode Muffler. It actually has the date on it in three different places, but the best and most useful one is beside the most useful of numbers – a US Patent number.
It’s really tempting to just look at a date – especially a patent date – and assume that it means the item was made in that year. No, what it means is that something about the design, either of the item or of the packaging, was patented that year. It means that the item could have been made that year, but could also have been made the next, or the next or, well, you get the point.
There are several ways to look up patents, including the US Patent Office’s official site, but to me, the easiest way is to use Google Patent. If you have the number, you can just type it in and most of the time you get the patent in question. Because there are several different kinds of patents, you will probably get multiple results, but read through the listing to find the correct one.
In this case, my muffler was made under patent number 963,235. It came up as “Muffler,” an easy enough item it find. A quick read through the paperwork reveals that the patent was held by Joseph Mead. In it he described the muffler in length, and included is a drawing of the muffler.
There is also some interesting information on the box. In a statement labeled “Condition of Sale” the buyer is informed that the retail price of the muffler cannot be less than 50 cents. The buyer agrees not to resell the muffler for less than 50 cents. I can’t help but wonder if Mead was successful in keeping the price up in this way.
The artwork is signed B. Lichtman, or possibly Tichtman. I could find nothing about the artist except that B. Lichtman has several similar drawings copyrighted. I’d appreciate any information about this artist.
Lizzie, I, too, have a very similar box marked “Our Own Muffler” and signed by B. Lichtman, 1911. The artist is apparently Benjamin Lichtman, born in August 1874 in “Russ.(Polish)” according to the 1910 US census for Chicago. His wife, Edith, was born in NY and his 1918 WWI draft registration indicates that they were living in NYC by then. I found the same copyright records for his drawings of young women, and that he did some cover art for magazines and one or two books.
Lynne, one again I’m indebted to your research skills! Thanks so much for sharing this info with me. Lizzie
Oi you clever woman you! Thanks for passing on that info, I think I might have to go through my wardrobe “archives” and do some research … on the other hand I might have to do it when “new” items turn up. I feel an obsession coming on:) xo
I like the idea of using the word “archives” in relation to the wardrobe!
Interesting and informative as always. You know I have a wonderful photograph of my great grandmother wearing a hat (muffler) very similar in shape to the one in your illustration. I shall try and find it and post something on my blog.
I can’t wait to see it!
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I have an oil painting of his that is of a woman with a horse, it has been in my family for as long as I can remember and is one of my favourites.
It has the same signature but no date.
I would love to know more about him?
Marian, so would I, but I’ve come up empty. Would you like to email a photo of your painting? I’d love to see it.