Hendryx cage dating

Happy New Year 2016!!


I received a note from Cindy asking if I could date the cage she found at a flea market in CT.  She sent the following pictures.

This cage has the round finial on top, Hendryx tag on the door, seed screen guard, opposing-hearts feeder guards, riveted technology as seen on the front door, and decorator scalloped strips over the two horizontal rails.  The base is flat without a pull-out tray and is held to the top of the cage by 4 swivel latch hooks.  It looks like it has the cross-cage perch and one of the feeder perches as well as the original swing.

Using my Hendryx trade catalogs for reference, I found this cage in the 1926 and 1930 catalogs.  It is not in the 1932 catalog.  The base that is in the picture in the catalogs has a moulded base and a pull-out tray.  This flat-tray base came earlier and usually had a tin tray insert on top of the base that could be pulled out easily once the clips were loosened.

My next earlier reference catalog is 1910.  The cage is not in that catalog.  The finials are different in those early cages.  

Because of the tray, I would date this cage from the late 19-teens to the early 1920s.  There are cages in the 1926 catalog that offer either the flat tray like this cage has, or the moulded base with pull-out tray.  These cages didn't offer that option so this cage came before the 1926 catalog.  This is what makes me think that this 10 yr. or so period is correct for this cage. 

The feeders for this cage are the open box opal glass winged feeders.  The heart doors lift up and the feeders slide into the openings.  See below examples.

Congratulations, Cindy, on a GREAT find.

If you have cages you are curious about, please write to me at tweetthings53@gmail.com.  I will research my catalogs and see what information I can share with you.

You can still cage hunt even though it's winter, as evidenced by Cindy's wonderful cage.  Spring is not too far away.  Then you can stretch your legs in the spring air and start going to the open air markets and garage sales.  (That is if the snow is gone by then).  

Great Hendryx cages are still out there.  Keep looking and happy hunting.

Barbara

"Hendryx" in the 1930s

Welcome to the 30s!!  The Andrew B. Hendryx Co. was busy as usual turning out one great cage after another.  They'd been in business with the Hendryx name since 1869 and their reputation was solid.  As in previous years , the inventors were busy and patents were pending. 

Check out this cage from the 1930 Hendryx trade catalog #42.  

I think it is stunningly attractive.  

It also came in a meadow green finish.

Even the unbreakable Pyralin feeders were patent pending.

Also in the 1930 catalog is this uniquely shaped cage.  

This cage would have come with the Pyralin feeders also.  I don't have any so I dress it out with the opal (milk) glass oval feeders.

It also came in a tangerine and ivory finish.

Again, from Catalog # 42 comes this mushroom-shaped cage called 

"The Bower".

It, too, would have had Pyralin feeders.

This cage also came in a green 2-tone finish.

Lou Ann generously offered these guest photos of another patent pending cage.  This time it's from Catalog #43 in 1932.  

It's called "The Nippon"

"A modern development of a popular oriental design"

Here are pictures of some of the patented cages that were also offered in the 1930 catalog:

  

85 years ago, these cages were offered for sale in the 1930 & 1932 Andrew B. Hendryx Co. trade catalogs.  They are still quite popular with collectors.

I hope you've enjoyed this trip down memory lane.  I continue to be amazed at the quality and variety offered by the Hendryx Co.

I hope you are enjoying your summer.  If you've found some Hendryx treasures, please write to me at tweetthings53@gmail.com and include some pictures.  I will post them as guest photos.

The time is ripe for garage and estate sales, and discovering the treasures in attics and collectors' markets.  Happy Hunting.

Barbara

Guest photos~Marlin

This cage is a work of art.  It has a heavy Oriental influence with the pagoda style, rising sun, and the oriental paintings on the glass seed guard.  It's shape is second to none.  It looks sturdy.  It has a pull-out tray which is intact.  Enjoy.

This cage recently sold on eBay. Marlin shared his photos at my request.  I couldn't pass up the opportunity to feature a guest cage as unique as this one.  Another blog reader, Parker, called this cage to my attention.  Thanks Parker.

Enjoy your hunt.
Barbara