This certainly qualified as an interesting and unique antique! Patented in 1901, Ayvad’s Water Wings helped many people learn to swim back at the turn of the 19th to 20th century.
The Ayvad’s Water Wings is, essentially, a canvas bag with valves used to fill with air. The shape of the bag allowed it to be placed under the body and the flotation assisted the swimming student to become a proficient swimmer!
In researching this great antique, I found a small advertisement in “The Ladies’ Home Journal for July 1905” on page 39. I also found reference to it in a book entitled “At Home in the Water” which was published in 1910 by the International Committee of Young Men’s Christian Associations. On page 31 of this book it says, “Without the wings, I should be utterly unable to teach a class. In my experience, the Ayvad’s Water Wings have proved to be the most satisfactory kind.” A few paragraphs later, the Water Wings are compared to the “springboard and belt system” which is found to be more clumsy and harder to use than the Wings. Ayvad Mfg Co was located in Hoboken, NJ.
In excellent condition, they measure about 27” across and 12” high – uninflated, of course!
This would make a great gift for a swimmer, boat enthusiast, or athlete and is an interesting water theme decorative item for your lake cottage or seaside retreat!
| 
