RELICS
09/10/2011 Finds
4/23/2011 - U of A Kappa Sigma Fraternity Belt Plate
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Soiled Dove Heel Plate
Found: 4/4/2011
Location: undisclosed
Details: There has been a lot of interest on the history of the brass heel plates with the heart design. I dug one recently that measured 1-1/2" by 1-1/2" A fellow sent me several emails about them. He said that a friend of his collected them and an elderly lady who had been in the "business" saw them and wanted to buy them he wouldn't sell them but she told him about them. The size of the heel will give you an idea when the plate was made as fashion changes, so does heel size. But these heels are designed with a slight taper on the edge of the heart so dirt won't collect as easy, leaving little "Hearts of Sand". Most people from the area knew where the bawdy houses were, but for those gents that were new to town, you would look for her "Calling Card" in the dirt.
Location: undisclosed
Details: There has been a lot of interest on the history of the brass heel plates with the heart design. I dug one recently that measured 1-1/2" by 1-1/2" A fellow sent me several emails about them. He said that a friend of his collected them and an elderly lady who had been in the "business" saw them and wanted to buy them he wouldn't sell them but she told him about them. The size of the heel will give you an idea when the plate was made as fashion changes, so does heel size. But these heels are designed with a slight taper on the edge of the heart so dirt won't collect as easy, leaving little "Hearts of Sand". Most people from the area knew where the bawdy houses were, but for those gents that were new to town, you would look for her "Calling Card" in the dirt.
Eagle Medallion
Found: 11/20/2010
Location: Blackford County, Indiana
Details: ...forthcoming...
Location: Blackford County, Indiana
Details: ...forthcoming...
Imperial Silver S.C. Spoon
South Carolina Spoon
Found: 11/12/2010
Location: Long-deserted home site in Montpelier, Indiana
Details: I found this old spoon whioe digging my last hole for the day. It was dark when I pulled the spoon out of the hole. I threw it in the back of my truck and didn't give it a second thought until I cleaned out the accumulated metal from my truck bed. Imagine my surprise when I wipe of a bit of dirt and see all the fine detail! I've done a basic cleaning on this and am doing the reserach to find out more about the Inperial Silver Company and this South Carolina Souvenir Spoon!
Location: Long-deserted home site in Montpelier, Indiana
Details: I found this old spoon whioe digging my last hole for the day. It was dark when I pulled the spoon out of the hole. I threw it in the back of my truck and didn't give it a second thought until I cleaned out the accumulated metal from my truck bed. Imagine my surprise when I wipe of a bit of dirt and see all the fine detail! I've done a basic cleaning on this and am doing the reserach to find out more about the Inperial Silver Company and this South Carolina Souvenir Spoon!
Civil War Confederate Spur
Civil War Confederate Spur
Found: 11/03/2010
Location: 4 miles northeast of Hartford City, Indiana (HDG)
Details: This was found at a depth of 5 inches. I had to dig it out from under a slab of foundation stone and chunks of brick. This has been ID'ed as a Confederate spur using the Howard Crouch Relic book as a guide. Other Civil War metal detectors from across the country have the same opinion.
I have not decided if I will try to fix the bend.
Location: 4 miles northeast of Hartford City, Indiana (HDG)
Details: This was found at a depth of 5 inches. I had to dig it out from under a slab of foundation stone and chunks of brick. This has been ID'ed as a Confederate spur using the Howard Crouch Relic book as a guide. Other Civil War metal detectors from across the country have the same opinion.
I have not decided if I will try to fix the bend.
Auto Insurance Radiator Badge
Auto Insurance Tag
Found: 11/3/2010
Location: Private Property - 1 1/2 miles north of Montpelier, Indiana (MDM)
Details: This is an auto insurance radiator badge from the 1920's or early 30's. Auto radiators used to be exposed and one would hang this badge from the radiator/bumper to show proof of insurance.
It Reads:
Protection Service
State Farm Mutual Ins. Co
Bloomington, Ill.
Indiana Farm Bureau Federation
Restoration:
Olive oil, toothpick, scotchbrite pad
Location: Private Property - 1 1/2 miles north of Montpelier, Indiana (MDM)
Details: This is an auto insurance radiator badge from the 1920's or early 30's. Auto radiators used to be exposed and one would hang this badge from the radiator/bumper to show proof of insurance.
It Reads:
Protection Service
State Farm Mutual Ins. Co
Bloomington, Ill.
Indiana Farm Bureau Federation
Restoration:
Olive oil, toothpick, scotchbrite pad
Philgas Padlock
Found: 10/25/2010
Location: site of former homestead (MJCM)
Details: This is a brass Philgas padlock. Believed to be from the Phillips 66 Gas Company.
The date of manufacture is unknown at this time. Lock was found with severely-rusted keyhole and was in overall poor condition. Moderate cleaning and oiling has brought it back to this state. The hasp does not close.
Location: site of former homestead (MJCM)
Details: This is a brass Philgas padlock. Believed to be from the Phillips 66 Gas Company.
The date of manufacture is unknown at this time. Lock was found with severely-rusted keyhole and was in overall poor condition. Moderate cleaning and oiling has brought it back to this state. The hasp does not close.
Satin Skin Tin
Satin Skin sample tin
Found: 10/24/2010
Location: Abandoned property (HFA)
Details: This is a sample tin of "Satin Skin" greaseless cream.
It was manufactured by the Albert F Wood cosmetics company in Detroit, Michigan.
The company was in existance at the turn of the last century. The date of this piece has not yet been determined.
Location: Abandoned property (HFA)
Details: This is a sample tin of "Satin Skin" greaseless cream.
It was manufactured by the Albert F Wood cosmetics company in Detroit, Michigan.
The company was in existance at the turn of the last century. The date of this piece has not yet been determined.
Brass Crown Wax Seal Stamp
Brass Crown Wax Seal Stamp
Found: 10/21/2010
Location: Site of former home (H508NMUL)
Details: This wax seal stamp is called a "Brass Crown". The top is an ornate crown design. It is brass-gilted and stands 2 inches tall and is 1 inch at it's widest point. Used for making wax seals on letters and documents, the age of this piece has not yet been determined.
Location: Site of former home (H508NMUL)
Details: This wax seal stamp is called a "Brass Crown". The top is an ornate crown design. It is brass-gilted and stands 2 inches tall and is 1 inch at it's widest point. Used for making wax seals on letters and documents, the age of this piece has not yet been determined.
Perfume Bottle Stopper
A BONUS FIND!
While digging up a 1955 Nickle, I found this is the same hole!
Slight damage to the tine, but the topper is even more beautiful than this picture shows!
While digging up a 1955 Nickle, I found this is the same hole!
Slight damage to the tine, but the topper is even more beautiful than this picture shows!
Vintage Print Block Stamp
Newspaper Print Block
Found: 10/13/2010
Location: Lot of a recently razed home. (HKM)
Details: This is a vintage newspaper print block stamp.
Original size is an inch and a half by an inch and three eighths. I have enlarged it and reversed the photo.
Before going digital, newspapers used large printing presses to print their papers. All the type was set and they would use print blocks for various advertisements.
This print block is for Wheat Pops and Rice Pops.
I am currently researching to find more information.
Location: Lot of a recently razed home. (HKM)
Details: This is a vintage newspaper print block stamp.
Original size is an inch and a half by an inch and three eighths. I have enlarged it and reversed the photo.
Before going digital, newspapers used large printing presses to print their papers. All the type was set and they would use print blocks for various advertisements.
This print block is for Wheat Pops and Rice Pops.
I am currently researching to find more information.
UPDATE!!!
Thanks to the amazing people at TreasureNet - here's the true image of an advertisement from this print block! As far as we can tell, the earliest this ad appeared was June 11, 1932!
My First Find...
My First Find - A Nice, Old Padlock!
Not far from where I grew up, stood an old country church. It was long gone before I was born, but I remember cement and flagstone from the old foundation pushed into a a pile that was overgrown with small trees and weeds. That "pile" is long gone and the spot where the old country church once stood is now just a small quiet corner of a cornfield - waiting to give up it's trash and treasure.
My first find was this very old padlock. I do not know much about it, although it resembles a Winchester-style lock from the turn of the century. This find is a prime candidate for electrolysis - which I have not attempted before. I will post the results.
My first find was this very old padlock. I do not know much about it, although it resembles a Winchester-style lock from the turn of the century. This find is a prime candidate for electrolysis - which I have not attempted before. I will post the results.
Johnston Brothers Glass Company Key Fob
Johnston Brothers Key Fob
I found this in my own front yard! This sweet two-sided key fob is from a glass company that was in existance until around the time of The Great Depression.
FRONT (pictured) - Initials JB Co.
"Window Glass"
"Ground and Chipped Glass"
BACK- Johnston Brothers Brokerage Company
Pittsburgh, PA
#1750
"If keys are found return to above address"
FRONT (pictured) - Initials JB Co.
"Window Glass"
"Ground and Chipped Glass"
BACK- Johnston Brothers Brokerage Company
Pittsburgh, PA
#1750
"If keys are found return to above address"
U.S. Army Brass Whistle
U.S. Army Brass Whistle
Found: September 25, 2010
Location: A rural Montpelier, Indiana home.
Details: Found 5 feet from the sidewalk and 5 inches deep. A good cleaning revealed the inscription, "Regulation U.S. Army". Thought to be WW2 vintage. "Brasso" polish brought it back to this condition.
Location: A rural Montpelier, Indiana home.
Details: Found 5 feet from the sidewalk and 5 inches deep. A good cleaning revealed the inscription, "Regulation U.S. Army". Thought to be WW2 vintage. "Brasso" polish brought it back to this condition.
Old Canteen
This old canteen was discovered in an area that at one time was known to be used as a horseback riding trail.
It was found between 4-5 inches deep and has no visable markings.
It is made of aluminum and is approximately 8 inches tall.
It's not a particularly valuable find, but it goes to show that you never know what you will find...or where you will find it!
It was found between 4-5 inches deep and has no visable markings.
It is made of aluminum and is approximately 8 inches tall.
It's not a particularly valuable find, but it goes to show that you never know what you will find...or where you will find it!
Homestead Field Find
Homestead Field Find
Found: 10/9/2010
This collection of finds was found on a long-abandoned homestead that is located very near to a historical marker.
The home that once stood here has been gone for many, many years.
I was not able to find any coins or other goodies, other than what's showing in this photograph.
Out of all of these pieces shown here, the square nails at the bottom right, are my favorite.
This collection of finds was found on a long-abandoned homestead that is located very near to a historical marker.
The home that once stood here has been gone for many, many years.
I was not able to find any coins or other goodies, other than what's showing in this photograph.
Out of all of these pieces shown here, the square nails at the bottom right, are my favorite.