Posted 7 years ago
Fearless
(1 item)
Same both faces, with a grooved perimeter (like a v.small yo-yo).
Approx. 1.25" diameter. Painted wood. Overall dome shape both sides so doesn't lie flush. No obvious recognizable symbols. Looks like the two faces may separate but they don't seem to. Found in the possessions of someone whose ancestor was believed to have belonged to a noted West Chester, and/or Philadelphia Pa. masonic lodge in the early 1800s, though his ancestry was Welsh. Could it contain a lock of hair, some other relic (religious or otherwise) or could it be a pyx containing an altar host? Ornate gambling token...?
It is a thermoplastic photograph case. This size of case is typically referred to as an "oreo" case. The two sides separate and was made to house an image inside (daguerreotype, tintype, ambrotype are most typical). These were made in about the mid 1850s- 1860s.
I will check in my case book and get you specifics on the case later today.
scott
Amazing - thank you. I don't want to damage it, so do you know how it might correctly open?
Try twisting the two sides in opposite directions and it should slowly open at the center.
scott
Were you able to open the case? If so, please post a photo of the interior.
scott
Fantastic item can't wait to see what you find in it.
And Welcome to CW stick around ya never know what will be posted next.
Many thanks to scottvez for solving this one! Yes, indeed - with rubber gloves I was able to carefully unscrew and open this "oreo case". The picture inside is believed to be a baby picture of Kate Corrie, later the wife of Wm. D. Hughs of Philadelphia and Wayne, PA. See: http://www.radnorhistory.org/bulletin/RHSBulletin.2-4.1964.pdf - P.9. I recently transcribed her husband's diary of 1864, the year she gave him this token, 7 yrs before they were married, and I'm writing up their story that year, living in West Philadelphia's Powelton suburb, leaving school and not really knowing they would be embarking on a full life together. This photo cemented the deal! And here's me thinking this was just an old piece of wood!