Sunday, February 21, 2010

The Family (Dandy) Jewels

My mother recently sent me a care package which included a raggedy red velvet box with an assortment of jewelry from various male family members.  I remember the box from when I was a little kid but never had a real appreciation for it.  Until now, of course.  Some things are obvious treasures like the pocket watch.  Some, I don't even know what they are.  Perhaps some of our readers might have some insight.

The raggedy red velvet box full of random treasures.



An Elgin pocket watch with chain.  I believe that trinket-like thing is a locket which holds two photos.


An engraved silver belt buckle.



A cufflink which I just realized was made of a coin from 1847.  Sadly, there's only one.



My grandfather's Gruen wristwatch, engraved indicating that he received it from the New York 4-H Club in 1928.  It looks like they made an error in engraving his last name and tried to fix it.  The watch is over-wound and isn't currently operable.  I need to take it to a watch repairman.


Various miss-matched cufflinks, buttons, clips.


I don't know what these are.  You?



I don't know what this. You?


I don't know what this. You?

C.H.
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11 comments:

Anthony said...

The three pictures before the final picture all show watch fobs, which are pretty much clips that attach to a gentleman dandy's vest or waistcoat and the hook at the end of the chain is wear the pocket watch (sometimes a pen or pocket knife) clipped securely.
Wonderful collection to be sent. I'm surprised there weren't any stickpins in the box.

FineAndDandyShop.com said...

Thanks Anthony. RE: the first one, that makes sense, although I've generally seen them longer. Regarding the second one (silver), I'm not sure. The end isn't a hook so there doesn't seem to be any way to attach to a pocket watch. Any other ideas?

Erin said...

wow what a treasure trove! i thought that the pocket watch was awesome but the rest is quite amazing! I esp love the 4-H watch that has an engraving error!

Kai said...

Several of what you call cufflinks are actually collar studs... to attach a starched, stiff to a shirt. Two are worn -- one in front and one in back.

Laurence John said...

Charles, many old waistcoats have a separate buttonhole, usually at 45 degrees to highlight it's otherness, where you would slip the T-bar of the watch chain through.

the silver chain... does the large engraved tab not have a clasp that undoes at the back ? if not, it's probably meant to dangle from the waistcoat pocket.

FineAndDandyShop.com said...

Erin, I thought you might like to see the rest of my new finds.

Kai-Joachim, ahh, thanks for the clarification.

Laurence, no clasp for the silver chain. That's why I thought it was rather unusual.

Anthnoy said...

Hey again Charles,
Yay! I'm on the site! To answer your concerns, the second one (silver) doesn't have a clip to secure the fob to the pocket of a vest because that one is meant to slide onto a belt and the watch slid into the watch pocket that we still find on any pair of Levi jeans. The first one doesn't have a long chain because the pocket watch would be in the vest pocket to which the fob was clipped. I have one just like that and it works really well, looks utterly smashing! Sorry I wasn't more specific at first.

Anthony said...

I almost forgot; the first couple fobs (gold with short chains) have plain bars near their clips. Originally those bars held decorative ribbons that hung outside the vest pocket, often with some ornamental bauble at the end of it.

(Yes, I did spell my own name incorrectly on the last comment.)

Ray Frensham said...

Watch fobs and accessories....I am Sooooo jealous.
And thje cufflinks pics, you've got about 5 collar studs in there + 1 short stud.

Any clock and watch work you need done / restoration, contact Tadd Casner in Reading, Pa (he's on our facebook lists), he works marvels (and he happens to work for Rolex).

The Eccentric Orange Gentleman said...

What is this? Pictures 10,11,&12 are all watch chains that are supposed to be attached to your belt.

Anonymous said...

hello the item you are not sure about is a napkin holder you clip it in your collar then attach your napkin. my grandfather used to use it all the time its a fond memory of when i was young. hope thats a help


James

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