A large, small collection

Royston · 22nd December 2010, 09:57 AM

It used to be possible to pick these up at antique fairs for next to nothing. Not so any more.
I always used to buy them whenever I saw one.
Most are silver, some hallmarked.
It amazes me that someone went to a lot of trouble with these to accurately copy the originals while others are pure imagination.
Why were they worn ? Some sort of souvenirs I suppose.
Most are broaches although I think a couple are small letter openers and the European swords are likely to be skirt pins.
Most of the broaches have blades and can be drawn from the scabbards. The chains are to prevent loss.

The axe is brass and I am assuming it came from a temperance movement as the caption is " Death to Rum " ( As a man who spends half his life at sea I find this a horrible idea !! )

Anyone else sad enough to collect these ?

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Roy

A.alnakkas · 22nd December 2010, 01:36 PM

hah! a very lovely collection, thanks for sharing!

A.alnakkas

Battara · 22nd December 2010, 05:08 PM

Amazing how really good these are in craftsmanship for being trinkets!

Berkley · 22nd December 2010, 05:32 PM

Very nice collection. As noted, the amazing thing about these little souvenirs is that they are complete and "functional" in the sense that the blades can be removed from the scabbards.

kahnjar1 · 22nd December 2010, 05:55 PM

Fabulous little items, novelties yes, but in IMHO these round out the full size items in a collection.

Thanks for sharing Roy.

Nathaniel · 23rd December 2010, 02:15 AM

Fantastic! Something I haven't seen before. Thanks for sharing!

22nd December 2010, 09:57 AM	#1
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	A large, small collection It used to be possible to pick these up at antique fairs for next to nothing. Not so any more. I always used to buy them whenever I saw one. Most are silver, some hallmarked. It amazes me that someone went to a lot of trouble with these to accurately copy the originals while others are pure imagination. Why were they worn ? Some sort of souvenirs I suppose. Most are broaches although I think a couple are small letter openers and the European swords are likely to be skirt pins. Most of the broaches have blades and can be drawn from the scabbards. The chains are to prevent loss. The axe is brass and I am assuming it came from a temperance movement as the caption is " Death to Rum " ( As a man who spends half his life at sea I find this a horrible idea !! ) Anyone else sad enough to collect these ? MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR Roy Attached Images

22nd December 2010, 01:36 PM	#2
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	hah! a very lovely collection, thanks for sharing! A.alnakkas

22nd December 2010, 05:08 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Amazing how really good these are in craftsmanship for being trinkets!

22nd December 2010, 05:32 PM	#4
Berkley Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas USA Posts: 257	Very nice collection. As noted, the amazing thing about these little souvenirs is that they are complete and "functional" in the sense that the blades can be removed from the scabbards.

22nd December 2010, 05:55 PM	#5
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	Fabulous little items, novelties yes, but in IMHO these round out the full size items in a collection. Thanks for sharing Roy.

23rd December 2010, 02:15 AM	#6
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Fantastic! Something I haven't seen before. Thanks for sharing!