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Inflatable cotton child and/or adult recreational floatation device. Printed with directions and manufacturer's logo. Metal air intake valve at point of junction between the two kidney-shaped bags.
life preservers
cotton (textile)
machine sewing (technique)
Preserver, Life
Float, Life
Float, Life
Printed on both bags: ""AYVAD'S/ WATER-WINGS./ [illustration of woman swimming]/ Patented May 7, 1901/ Jan. 7, 1902/ May 24, 1904./ Water-wings/ are all made one size, guaranteed/ to support a person of 250 lbs. as well as a child of 50 lbs, both on the correct level to swim/ or florat. Water-Wings are purposely made porous,/ to allow just enough air to escape in order to adjust/ themselves properly. A large body requiring/ less air to float than a smaller one, forces more/ air out of the Wings than the latter, and auto-/ matically adjusts itself. Just enough air/ always remains in the Wings and/ no more."" ""THE AYVAD M'F'G. Co./ HOBOKEN, N.J./ MADE IN U.S.A."" ""Directions: Wash thoroughly until/ no dry spot is left./ Blow up with the/ mouth so the air bubbles all over. Press/ on the ring-mark. Apply around the/ waist or back. NOT UNDER THE ARMS."" ""TO STOP PRESS HERE"" [identical inscription on 2nd bag-- only difference is in illustration. Second bag depicts a male swimming.]
LARSON 15
Ayvad Manufacturing Co. (Maker)
Hoboken, NJ, USA
Estate of Elinor C. Larson
1992.201
New Jersey (United States)
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