Hand press to make hard candy balls. The original color of the press was green.  Rust has discolored this device mostly around the gears, screws and other mechanical elements. The handle is long and made of wood. It connects to two gears, which turn the top and bottom parts of the press. The press itself is full of half-spherical holes on each side, which line up together to make the circular candy. There are two screws on the top of the press and on one side. The base of the press slants away dramatically on either side. One side of the press reads "T. Mills and Bro" while the other side says "Inc. Phila. PA."

This hard candy maker was originally owned by Theodore Sangaus, the brother-in-law of the donor. He used it in his candy store, Palace Confectionery, in Freeport, IL from 1915-1932.

Thomas Mills and Brother, the company who made this mold, was based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They manufactured equipment for confectioners, bakers, and ice cream makers.

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