Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Feeders! Feeders! Feeders!

As a self-confessed Hendryx Hoarder, I must admit that my hoarding also includes feeders.  I am always on the search for vintage or antique feeders, especially Hendryx.  Let's get a few pictures in here first.  The photos are not current, but show part of my feeder collection.
 The acrylic display box is for my older feeders.  Some have been dug from privies by others.  One is hand blown. One is china that was hand painted.  The feeders on the top shelf used to have metal bands on them like three do now.  They clipped over a bar on the cage.  They don't have the attachment parts like the newer feeders do.  The tin-topped feeders on the left and right ends of the second shelf also have metal attachment clips on them.  The bottom right feeder is made of climax milk glass by J.M. N.Y.  It was patented on Jan. 24, 1882 and when held to the light, it has fiery orange-red colors like clam broth.
    
The second display case is mainly for the 'barrel' shaped feeders and others of like size.  The red felt in the back makes the darker green and black feeders difficult to visualize.  Six are depression glass in the second row.  The last 5 on the third shelf are O. Lindemann & Co. feeders.  The bottom row has several from Occupied Japan.  The second to last one on the bottom shelf could be an unlabeled Osborn.  


 This is a close-up view of the middle of the second shelf of the acrylic display box.  These are embossed Hendryx except for the double-lipped feeder in the front  middle.  Although it has the characteristic look of an Osborn, it is unlabeled.  
The back row left is a sturdy, thick glass feeder for Hendryx breeding cages.
Back row right is a hard-to-find feeder with a 1917 patent date.  It's in two pieces: a glass bulb and a nickel tray.  It was touted as the best way to provide fresh water for birds. Front row left and right are milk glass and cobalt glass cups respectively.
                      .  
This is my Hendryx box.  
Top row starts with a hooded, winged plastic feeder. This was developed in the Deco period and used in the hatbox, scalloped and half-circle chrome cages.  I have another type of plastic feeder (not pictured) that is just the plastic box without the hood or wings.  They have clasps in the back to rest between two cage wires.  They are on a late 50s, 60s cage.  Second are milk glass cups. Next are opal glass oval feeders.  They are translucent when held to the light.  Last is a clear cup.
Second row starts with a great example of the Dupont Duco feeders.  Advertised as 'unbreakable', they were sold in complimentary colors to the cages they accompanied.  Matching stands were available also.  Next are milk glass feeders with a uniquely designed edge.  These are box feeders but much  fancier than the usual box feeder in the bottom right corner.  Third on the second row are clear glass oval-shaped feeders.  These are 'out there' and occasionally can be seen for sale.  Last is the "T" feeder that was made for the early brass cages.  If you have a Victorian cage, or a round cage, you are using these feeders.  The patent date is October 27, 1875.
Bottom row has another Duco feeder.  This one is flatter as it has been smooshed a bit.  But...as advertised...it didn't break!!  Next are the clear glass Art Deco feeders. These have reinforced openings and are made of thicker glass.  Third in line are the milk glass oval feeders.  These are on the brass cages that are after the Victorian age (I believe).  The cages have the traditional feeder openings for any of the later feeders.  These  milk glass feeders were more expensive than the clear glass ones but must have been more popular.  There are a lot more of these seen for sale unlike the clear glass ones.  The last feeder is the traditional winged box.  This feeder is usually found on the square or rectangle brass cages that have the cut-out hearts for seed guards.

Since these pictures were taken, I've purchased 2 "frosted" Hendryx feeders.  They are the oval shape, but have a frosted appearance.  The surface is slightly rough.  I've only found one reference to these feeders in the four trade books that I have.

I hope you've enjoyed looking at my feeder collection.  I am always on the lookout for more Hendryx feeders.  I know that there were milk glass hooded feeders used.  I just haven't found any yet.  If any one of you has feeders that I don't have, I would be thrilled if you would contact me.  You won't be able to add to the blog, but if you contact me at tweetthings53@gmail.com, I will add the photos and your comments as a guest contributor.  Also, if you comment and want a specific answer, please contact through the email address so I have your email address.

Thank you and have a great summer.