In March 1893, Hugh Fegan, a pawnbroker of Stonefield, Blantyre had an advert in the newspapers.
“Hugh Fegan begs to call attention to the under noted goods, which will be sold at greatly reduced prices: Two Patent Mangles, one by MacFarlane. Cost £12, 10s. A number of good silver LEVER and VERGE watches by best makers and a large quantity of bedding, furniture and all household requisites. Business Established 1858”
I couldn’t help noticing the price of the mangles. A hefty £12 10s, when the miners average weekly wage at the time was just 4s. Even if the miner put his whole weekly wage to paying off the mangle, it would have taken over 2 years to pay off! I’m presuming the mangle was a luxury item of that era, a labour saving washing device, perhaps something like the one pictured. A much desired item. I wondered too, if the resourceful mining families ever attempted to make their own!
AI imagines the inside of a pawnbrokers shop in that era.
