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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 American Sterling Silver
 A Whatzit Ring
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| Author | Topic: A Whatzit Ring |
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Brent Posts: 1507 |
posted 01-12-2006 09:07 AM
  
[01-2377] Hello all, Here is a puzzler, a piece I had never seen before. It is a two-part sterling ring. The band is attached to the main body by a steel spring, and can be pulled over and fastened with a catch much like that on a bracelet. The maker's trademark looks like Gorham at first glance (it fooled me until I polished it!), but is actually the letters ARG in three shields. Obviously they were very worried about protecting their patent, as the body and band are both marked "PATENT APPLIED FOR", and the actual patent date is stamped in the reserve on the band. So, who can tell me what it is? Anyone know the manufacturer? Brent IP: Logged |
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doc Posts: 728 |
posted 01-12-2006 10:01 AM
It's a bit difficult to tell from the photo how large the ring hole is, but with the placement of the spring, it seems to me that this wouldn't be a ring (it would be mighty uncomfortable!). I wonder whether it might have been either a scarf ring or perhaps a napking ring? IP: Logged |
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 01-12-2006 10:35 AM
Brent, We also have one of these by Gorham (I think?). It's a great whatzit. We have heard all kinds of attributions most of them incorrect but often reasonable. I would be glad to offer some hints when you are ready. The two most common incorrect ID's I tend to hear are napkin ring and bicycle tag. Scott IP: Logged |
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Brent Posts: 1507 |
posted 01-12-2006 06:32 PM
Let's give it a day or two. I will say that I can't show the front, as it would give it away. Brent IP: Logged |
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jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 01-12-2006 06:46 PM
Hi Brent! This piece reminds me of something that attached to a ladies purse or some such, and hung from a belt loop. Or perhaps a ladies pony-tail holder (ouch)! Would you perhaps have a picture of the front of it and a better shot of the marks. Thanks. Jersey IP: Logged |
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wev Moderator Posts: 4121 |
posted 01-12-2006 07:02 PM
Wine bottle tag. IP: Logged |
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Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 |
posted 01-12-2006 08:13 PM
An ID tag to be placed on a bicycle. [This message has been edited by Paul Lemieux (edited 01-12-2006).] IP: Logged |
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wev Moderator Posts: 4121 |
posted 01-13-2006 10:08 AM
Somebody had to do the search -- and don't tell me if you already had. Arthur R. Geoffroy and his brother Nicholas are listed in the 1880 census as jewelry manufacturers in East Chester NY. If you wish to see the full text, I have uploaded the pages here (warning: large TIFF files) IP: Logged |
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 01-13-2006 10:26 AM
WEV, That is great. I had originally thought it was a bicycle tag but the dealer who sold it showed us a catalog which said it is an umbrella tag. Used when you check your umbrella at the club door. They promised to send us a copy … now its a matter of did we get it and where did we put it. When we get back and caught up I will try to find it. IP: Logged |
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Brent Posts: 1507 |
posted 01-13-2006 07:45 PM
 Well.... Unless someone with a last name of Rum got himself a bicycle tag, it looks like the same device was also used as a liquor bottle tag. There is no reason it could not be used as one, or as an umbrella tag for that matter. I would guess that once the handy fastener was patented, they probably tried to find other uses for it. It may well have been marketed as several different things, including an umbrella tag. Anyway, I guess for some objects, the What is it? question can have more than one answer! Great thread! Brent IP: Logged |
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wev Moderator Posts: 4121 |
posted 01-13-2006 08:00 PM
Well, the patent does say ". . . Bicylces &c" I only guessed wine tag because of the grape motif I could make out from the backside view. At leats we know who A R G is now. IP: Logged |
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swarter Moderator Posts: 2920 |
posted 01-14-2006 06:42 PM
And here I thought it was a cigar band for the man who has everything. That is an idea that went up in smoke! [This message has been edited by swarter (edited 01-14-2006).] IP: Logged |
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jersey Posts: 1203 |
posted 01-14-2006 08:10 PM
Wow! My son guessed cigar & my husband Wine tag........I'm going to have to do the dishes for a week. Maybe I'll just show him the patent info about bicycles. I'm just "Singing in the Rain" Thanks Brent, it was fun, I enjoyed the guessing. You enjoy it anyway you like. Jersey IP: Logged |
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 07-11-2009 04:38 PM
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 11-15-2016 05:38 PM
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June Martin Forum Master Posts: 1326 |
posted 11-19-2016 05:56 PM
Great to see Godfrey's mark in the ad. IP: Logged |
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