Mosely Folding Bath Tub
Ryan spotted this very interesting folding antique tub on eBay and thought you would enjoy it. I’ve seen folding beds many times before but did not know a tub was ever designed to do it as well. The auction has ended but I think it will be back up for sale if you are interested and have lots of money to spend. You can view the original auction here. It would work quite well in a small home. Thanks Ryan for sharing this with us.
Own a fabulous piece of American history…The Mosely Folding Bath Tub manufactured by the Mosely Folding Bath Tub Company in Chicago, Ill. in the mid 1880′s.
In near perfect condition with a ten gallon copper tank, heated by a small kerosene burner. Clearly a luxury from another century. Included: Original tub stopper, original bath brush with “How to use” instructions on handle, and original advertisement. Tub and solid maple cabinet approximate dimensions Width: 29 inches, Depth: 25 inches, Height: 77 inches. Tub extends to 76 inches. Some quotes from the original advertisement “If you have no bathroom, buy a Mosely Folding Bath Tub”, “Don’t look around for another house, and “acts well and looks well”. An advertisement also notes that the tub is “portable, with self-heating arrangements to heat water at a moments notice. A great convenience and when closed an ornament to any room…”.
24 Responses to “Mosely Folding Bath Tub”
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They should have also quoted the weight of the thing, though. Hardly something you want to musle after or before a bath. Looks lovely, though.
Great Idea. you could rig a modern version with an on demand propane water heater and a plastic horse trough, it wouldn’t be as pretty, but it would work and be lighter.
seems like something along those lines could be designed to be a stand-up shower as well.
A stand up shower? That confused me… I’ve never seen a lay down shower… was the question perhaps, could it be converted to a shower? Then I’d say not very successfully.
A Murphy tub!
Hahahaha! That made me laugh out loud
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/archive/200504A17.html
Less fancy one on the Antiques Roadshow.
I wonder how the drain works.
That’s what I was wondering
I see a market that isn’t being fulfilled. That’d be perfect for studio dwellers as well as tiny housers.
” Murphy Tub” Good one Joyce. Had me laughing out loud too Anne!
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Great idea though,wonder if I could rig up something lighter for camping.
[...] Mosely Folding Bath Tub [...]
why are you people laughing? it’s a great idea. I want one!!! it’s very pretty, and practical if you live in a place where there’s no bathtub.
Combine a wooden entertainment cabinet or a wardrobe and a lightweight, small rv bathtub…the plumbing could be attached directly, or a plastic holding tank, filled by hand with warm water could be installed. The drain could be plumbed to funnel through a floor drain (with a cover for when the tub is folded up) or to attach to a hose to run the water to filter, before using on garden…
This is the first time that i met this kind of tub, very specific.
I bought a bath tub before, very funny, it can be portable, foldable, different from traditional tub, especially heat insulation. Whether camping or traveling, I always took it. Make our family feel convenient and comfortable.
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Just saw one appraised on the show Pickers for $2500! Very rare.
Watching one of these on American Pickers. But it is in good condition. It’s worth $2500 without the tank. Looks like something from an old Sears catalog. Pretty cool!
This is coooooooool. Wood. I love wood
Appreciate the innovation and craftsmanship of the time. That is the beauty of items like this. I would love to own one.
I make these only in a modern version. The antique tubs are made out of tin and pieced together. The one shown is definitly in great shape, if the tin is original and doesn’t leak. The wood shell is the heaviest thing on them. I don’t recall seeing a copper holding tank on the one I saw, nor a way to heat it. These were hauled on some wagon trains and owned by people considered rich in 1809-1900.
i love it and want one
I have one of these…not encased in wood, but galvanized with an oak ring around top. Stand is white metal but the water tank is missing. I would like to sell this, however don’t know where to start. Can someone help me with a value. I have a picture of a similar one on Craigslist.Modesto.ca If anyone can help, I would sure appreciate it. Thanks!
I just listed my folding bathtub on ebay. Take a look.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261008921529?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1586.l2649
My user name is ybuwtr0h36 if that doesn’t work