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Author	Topic: Gorham "Whatzit"
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 09-04-2012 09:54 AM [01-3038] Below is a Gorham whatzit which we haven't identified. I went through all 590 of the design patents for 1878. I started looking at all 13,000+ patents for 1878 but soon went cross eyed. Anyone know, have an idea, or a guess? The best guess I have heard is it is for closing a loose tobacco bag. IP: Logged
wev Moderator Posts: 4121 Registered: Apr 99	posted 09-04-2012 09:59 AM napkin clip IP: Logged
dragonflywink Posts: 993 Registered: Dec 2002	posted 09-04-2012 11:16 AM Patent #202202, issued to Lucius Thompson on April 9, 1878 - unfortunately, only the drawing seems to remain at the patent office, so can't tell if it was assigned to Gorham or if they just produced it for Thompson (or perhaps bought/leased/licensed the design). Vanderslice & Co. flatware design patents issued to William K. Vanderslice and Lucius Thompson - #D3402, March 2, 1869 for Gargoyle, and #D7776, September 22, 1874 for Comstock. ~Cheryl IP: Logged
wev Moderator Posts: 4121 Registered: Apr 99	posted 09-04-2012 11:38 AM Lucius IP: Logged
chase33 Posts: 362 Registered: Feb 2008	posted 09-04-2012 12:14 PM Very cool item and very fast on identifing it! But how does it work? Color me confused! IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 09-04-2012 12:25 PM WOW you all are good and fast. As soon as I saw wev's post saying napkin holder it made sense. And before I could go looking Cheryl posted the patent. Thank you both for the speedy reply. IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 09-04-2012 12:52 PM IP: Logged
jersey Posts: 1203 Registered: Feb 2005	posted 09-04-2012 03:45 PM Scott, thank you for showing it! What a cool item for children! Now to figure out where to find a couple! Jersey IP: Logged
Polly Posts: 1970 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 09-04-2012 06:15 PM I totally need that for Mr. Husband! Oh, the spaghetti spatters! For some odd reason, he refuses to wear a rain poncho to dinner. IP: Logged
Polly Posts: 1970 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 09-04-2012 06:16 PM I just showed him the picture and he said, "I totally need that!" IP: Logged
chase33 Posts: 362 Registered: Feb 2008	posted 09-04-2012 10:48 PM I am so glad I wasn;t drinking anything when I saw that picture! I would have done a true spit-take! Those wacky 19th century people! IP: Logged
ahwt Posts: 2334 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 09-06-2012 08:09 AM The photo above shows a bib or napkin holder that had the same function as the napkin holder made by Gorham. While the Gorham holder is more robust and may have been meant for a man, this one is delicate and may have been the corresponding item for women or children. The chain has a side to adjust the length and each grip has a slide to tighten the claws on the bib. It is also interesting to see the connection between Gorham and west coast silver dealers. My wife collects items like the bib holder and the pictures above show several similar items. These are handkerchief holders that she has found. They all have a ring to put on your finger and have grips controlled by a sliding ring to tighten the handkerchief in the grips. Apparently these were very popular while ladies were dancing as a way to hold their handkerchiefs. One can see the handkerchief floating in the air as the dancers frolicked to the music. Life does seem to have been simpler in those days. IP: Logged

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