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Author	Topic: Cig Case
Duncan Albright Posts: 15 Registered: Mar 2005	posted 04-13-2005 12:51 PM [26-0369] Hi, I have another item from my Mom’s estate that I’ve researched but have not been able to identify. You all have been very kind in assisting me with a couple of other pieces and I’d like to probe your collective knowledge again for help with this case. Mom traveled in Europe in the late thirties so my first question is whether it’s American or European. It has “.925” markings but is gold-toned in finish. Can someone please tell me if the composition can be determined from the markings, or would that take a physical test? Of course I would also like to learn the maker and the time period in which it was made. I continue to be grateful for your assistance and welcome your input and insights. Thanks again, Duncan IP: Logged
Kimo Posts: 1652 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 04-13-2005 03:11 PM Hi Duncan. I'm not sure I would call it a cigarette case, but I suppose it could be used as such. It is made of vermeil which is a fancy way of saying sterling silver with a thin wash of gold electroplate on top. The 925 mark is saying it is 92.5% pure silver which is the standard for Sterling. The other 7.5% are other metals such as copper and a bit of nickel to make it into an alloy hard enough to withstand daily use. I don't recognize the C & C makers mark, though it could just be a retail store's mark as well. The oval mark with the omega in it is saying that the case was imported into the United Kingdom from some other country and was certifed for its 92.5% silver content in London. The P marking is saying it was certified in 1930. It is likely purchased from a store in or around London around 1930 or slightly later if it was stuck in the retailer's stock for a while. I can not see the jewel very well so I can not tell you much about that, but on my monitor it looks like it might be clear blue? If so, it is unlikely a real sapphire and more likely either glass or synthetic sapphire. In either case, it is called cabochon cut which means dome shaped as opposed to being faceted. IP: Logged
Duncan Albright Posts: 15 Registered: Mar 2005	posted 04-14-2005 02:34 AM Hi Kimo, Thanks for the good info. That's very helpful. I did not know what else to call it. The cigarette cases I saw as I researched opened like a clam shell, hinged along the long edge to give full and easy access to all the contents. This is 3.25 in. X 2.25 in. so I couldn't think of another use for it even though it was constructed differently; and my mother did smoke in those years. I just found another case that is configured like this one. Thanks again for your help. It's good to know what it is made of and where it came from when. Duncan IP: Logged
Patrick Vyvyan Posts: 640 Registered: May 2003	posted 04-15-2005 01:51 AM Just to add to Kimo's analysis, the Reg 734038 number means it was a British registered design - the number corresponds to late December 1927 or January 1928, well in line with the hallmark date of 1930. I am uncertain of this, but a possible contender for C&C might be Collins & Cook who had ther own pieces assayed in Birmingham. I don't know if they also imported silver. IP: Logged
Duncan Albright Posts: 15 Registered: Mar 2005	posted 04-15-2005 01:43 PM Thank you Patrick for those details. I'm really impressed that those kinds of data are available. I'll do some checking on Collins & Cook and see what I can find. IP: Logged

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