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tline3open  A Whatzit Ring

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Author Topic:   A Whatzit Ring
Brent

Posts: 1507
Registered: May 99

iconnumber posted 01-12-2006 09:07 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Brent     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
[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

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doc

Posts: 728
Registered: Jul 2003

iconnumber posted 01-12-2006 10:01 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for doc     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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?

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Scott Martin
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Posts: 11520
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 01-12-2006 10:35 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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

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Brent

Posts: 1507
Registered: May 99

iconnumber posted 01-12-2006 06:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Brent     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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

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jersey

Posts: 1203
Registered: Feb 2005

iconnumber posted 01-12-2006 06:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for jersey     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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

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wev
Moderator

Posts: 4121
Registered: Apr 99

iconnumber posted 01-12-2006 07:02 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for wev     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wine bottle tag.

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Paul Lemieux

Posts: 1792
Registered: Apr 2000

iconnumber posted 01-12-2006 08:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Paul Lemieux     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
An ID tag to be placed on a bicycle.

[This message has been edited by Paul Lemieux (edited 01-12-2006).]

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wev
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Posts: 4121
Registered: Apr 99

iconnumber posted 01-13-2006 10:08 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for wev     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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)

Page one

Page two

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Scott Martin
Forum Master

Posts: 11520
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 01-13-2006 10:26 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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.

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Brent

Posts: 1507
Registered: May 99

iconnumber posted 01-13-2006 07:45 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Brent     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

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

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wev
Moderator

Posts: 4121
Registered: Apr 99

iconnumber posted 01-13-2006 08:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for wev     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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.

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swarter
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Posts: 2920
Registered: May 2003

iconnumber posted 01-14-2006 06:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for swarter     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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).]

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jersey

Posts: 1203
Registered: Feb 2005

iconnumber posted 01-14-2006 08:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for jersey     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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

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Scott Martin
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Posts: 11520
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 07-11-2009 04:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

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Scott Martin
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iconnumber posted 11-15-2016 05:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

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June Martin
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Posts: 1326
Registered: Apr 93

iconnumber posted 11-19-2016 05:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for June Martin     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Great to see Godfrey's mark in the ad.

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