Old Whittemore Patent No. 10 Improved Wool Card

This is a vintage hand wool card, a tool traditionally used in the textile process to disentangle, clean, and intermix fibers to produce a continuous web or sliver suitable for spinning. The item consists of a rectangular wooden paddle, likely made of maple or a similar hardwood, measuring approximately 9 inches in width. It features a long, tapered wooden handle secured to the base with two small metal fasteners. Centered on the back of the paddle is a clear, circular maker's mark or stamp that reads 'ONLY GENUINE / OLD WHITTEMORE PATENT / IMPROVED / NO. 10'. The wood exhibits a warm, aged patina with visible grain and some surface staining consistent with its age and use. The underside, though partially obscured, appears to hold the traditional leather or heavy fabric backing embedded with fine wire teeth, which are essential for carding fibers. Condition-wise, the wood shows minor edge wear and scuffing, but the structure remains sound without apparent cracks or significant repairs. This specific patent design dates back to the mid-to-late 19th century or early 20th century, representing a period of refined American textile tool craftsmanship. The quality is indicative of mass-produced yet durable industrial-age tools designed for heavy domestic and artisanal use.