Compared to today’s lightweight plastic electric coffee grinders that fit in the palm of your hand, this 19th century coffee mill is made of cast iron and measures 12 ¾” x 11” x 9”. The wheel is hand turned, beans are dropped into the hopper and ends up as grounds in the small drawer set in the base. The grinder is highly decorative with pin striping, decals and elaborately designed wheel spokes. This coffee mill was used by the South Dakota State University Pharmacy Department for grinding pharmaceuticals.
A seen on the wheel and hopper label this mill was made by Landers, Frary and Clark, New Britain, Connecticut. In the 1840s, George and Dewey Landers were manufacturing and selling metal products such as coat racks, furniture casters, wall hooks and brass items. In 1862, the company incorporated as Landry, Frary and Clark. The company added kitchenware to their product line. Food scales, coffee grinders, cake mixers, bread makers, coffee pots and percolators along with tableware of every description were all in production before the 20th century. When electricity made its mark on industry and home life, Landry, Frary and Clark adapted and added electric appliances such as vacuum cleaners, blenders, mixers and other electric items to their inventory. In the 1960s the cutlery division was closed and the electric appliances division was sold to General Electric.