An 1873 "Black Hills Cannonball" coal stove made by the A.T. Nye stove company was recently discovered in excellent condition. In the basement of a home on Greene Street in Marietta. The popular "Black Hills Cannonball" coal stove was made from 1873, until the company went out of business in the 1930s.
An example of this same stove along with the "Steel Leader Range" today are currently on display at the Castle Museum on Fourth Street in Marietta. The owner on Greene Street has been offered $2,000, but states he has no intention of selling, stating it belonged to his grandfather.
From 1829 to the 1930s, the A.T. Nye stove company produced a full line of cookstoves and cooking utensils that was shipped worldwide. After 1900, gas was plentiful in the area. The company's production included a variety of gas model stoves.
Marietta was home to three stove foundries
Marietta was home to three stove foundries. The largest and best known was the A.T. Nye Foundry. The company also produced fireplace stoves and Franklin stoves, many still exist in old homes in the Marietta area.
W.F Robertson
Company
W.F. Robertson & Company began operations in 1856 in Beverly. In addition to stoves, they produced popular cast iron items such as Holloware, farm implements, steamboat hardware and Sorghum Mills. Some W.F. Robertson sorghum mills are still in use today in Washington County.
In 1890, the operations was moved to Marietta and renamed Marietta Manufacturing Company. The company continued to produce stoves. Much of their work was devoted to the manufacture of steamboat engines and hardware.
Note to collectors
Marietta Manufacturing of Marietta in 1904 produced an oak stove called "Bonnie Home" and "The Star Oak" patented 1899 and the "Midland Oak" for coal or wood.
M. G. Knox & Company of Marietta
M.G. Knox was an early Marietta Foundry associated primarily with the inland shipping building industry in the area. Although stoves, holloware, and farm implements were produced.
Notes for collectors
The A.T. Nye & son Company of Marietta also produced a line of admiral gas stoves and ranges. All cast iron in mission style. A.T. Nye also produced a stove from 1899 until the company closed. It is one of the most common found models. Sometimes today is used as a living room end table it is called the "Leader Box."
Another Nye stove you might want to keep your eye open for is the "Midland Oak" that burned wood or coal. Also be on the lookout for A.T. Nyes "Century Leader Range"
Good luck in your search.
Larry Koon is the author of several price guide books on antiques and collectibles. His column appears every Monday on Life. Send letters to Treasure in the Attic, c/o The Marietta Times, 700 Channel Lane, Marietta 45750; or e-mail him at koonantiques@yahoo.com. When writing, send a complete description of the item, along with size, color, any markings on the item along with condition the item is in, and how the item was obtained, and any other information. If possible, send a photograph. Letters will be answered through this column.
