Antique Blue Ribbon Hairpin Flower Holders Including Sizes #3, #4 & #5

Three (3) early 20th century Blue Ribbon Hairpin Flower Holders sizes #3, #4, #5.
This collection also includes one (1) additional antique flower frog.

Largest measures 5.5" W


Created by Ida Sinclair – are sometimes generically described as floral “frogs” but these items are officially known as Blue Ribbon Flower Holders.
Sinclair, an avid gardener, got her inspiration for this invention after becoming frustrated with her efforts to create attractive, award-winning floral arrangements.
Seeking a way to position cut flowers that was more precise than traditional means (including glass “frogs” or chicken wire), she experimented with taking bobby pins from her hair and attaching them to a heavy molten metal base. By bending over the top looped portion of her bobby pins, she created an ideal way to hold the stems of her cut flowers, while still having the stability to support the weight of the entire arrangement.
Encouraged by her results, she took her invention to a local garden club meeting, where they were a big hit.
Armed with several orders from fellow gardeners, Sinclair set about refining her invention and creating her own home-based business, the Blue Ribbon Flower Holder Co.
She operated her business out of the basement of her home at 2315 Fourth Street (near Cuyahoga Falls High School,) where she employed local women and high school students to paint and lacquer her floral holders.
Her first major sale was to the local O’Neil’s department stores.
Sinclair operated her business from 1934 to the late 1950s and eventually sold her operations in 1959 to a firm in Hawthorne, N.Y., which still manufactures these items to this day. facebook.com

Consistent with age and use.

Lawn & Garden, Other

18%

A&M Estate Sales | (203) 856-9082 | AandMestatesales@gmail.com

Pickup Details

Shipping Available

Private Residence

Fairfield, CT 06825

When to Pickup

Saturday, 8/26, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

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