Ayvad's Water-Wings

Swimming aids made from two panels of cloth sewn along the seams and a metal valve at the connecting seam. The printed instructions (faint here) read: "Directions: Wash well until no dry spot is left. Blow up so the air bubbles all over. Press on ring mark. Apply on waist, not under arms." Ayvad Mfg. Co. Patented Jan 1 1902 and May 24 1904. Each wing is printed on one panel and plain on the other, measuring 16 x 8 inches at the longest/widest parts. Faded but generally even in tone with a few spots subtle spots and marks; one wing is more faded and is separating along part of the seam. Very Good. 

Popular through the 1920s, "Water Wings are all made one size, guaranteed to support 50 to 250 lbs. on correct level to float. A large body requires less air than a smaller one; therefore, the wings are made purposely porous so that it should leak a little to adjust itself properly. Enough air always remains in the wings."

With a nice swimming graphic similar to the one used in the company's early advertisements, which promised "Learn to Swim by One Trial." The company insisted they were not to be used as life preservers: "Numerous letters have been received by the company in which the wings have been called defective or worthless. A great amount of correspondence has been necessary to convince the purchasers of the correct way to inflate the wings. And all this despite the fact that full directions are printed on every pair of wings. Others insist that the wings are life preservers but the company takes pains to explain that when the wings are held above the water in a person's hand they will not act as a support." (from a 1915 article on the company's success in Printer's Ink, p92)