This is a cast iron enameled wood burning parlor stove. It was used to warm the Parlor which was the room where families and friends spent their evenings together.
These were one of the main products that were made by forges in the post-Revolutionary War period. You can see the number 39 on the front. I believe this means it was made in 1839.
Also cast in front is the name of the forge: UNION. There was an historic Union forge in Raritan, New Jersey, that had made cannon balls for Washington’s army.
There was also a Union foundry in Peekskill, New York, that was long out of business. I could find no similar stove on Google and I believe this one is pretty rare.
While riding on the Lexington Avenue bus in New York City around 1965, I spotted the stove on display in front of a small antique store. I jumped off the bus and bought it for $35. I got back on the next bus and picked up the stove in my car a couple of days later.
WHAT IS IT?
(Editor’s note: Palisades resident Howard Yonet has an interesting collection of curios from around the world and with his permission, Circling the News is publishing one a week. About the collector: Dr. Howard Yonet was born in Brooklyn in 1934 and attended Brooklyn College. He went to Baylor Medical School and then returned to do an internship at Bellevue Hospital. Yonet completed his residency at the Manhattan V.A. and the Montefiore Hospital. During this time he went skiing in Vermont and the Catskills, and while traveling found barns filled with early American pieces. This led to his interest in American Antiques.
In 1965, he married Daniele, who was originally from Nancy, France. During the Vietnam War, Yonet was drafted as a medical officer and stationed in Landstuhl, Germany (1966-1969). This was close to the French border, which meant he and Daniele and could visit her family.
While abroad, the Yonets took weekend trips through France and Italy, purchasing many interesting pieces at flea markets.
The family settled in Pacific Palisades in 1970 and Yonet practiced general radiology until 2006. He continued to acquire antiques and collectables at estate and garage sales and the Salvation Army Store. He also enjoyed looking for collectibles while traveling in Montana, Idaho, Colorado and Massachusetts. Daniele’s family helped add to his collection.)
SUPER!!! I love the color. A true bargain. Thanks for the story