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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 American Sterling Silver
 Anyone recognize this castle?
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| Author | Topic: Anyone recognize this castle? |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 07-23-2012 04:19 PM
  
I found a Wood & Hughes card case with a castle on the front: It's in the tradition of English castle-top card cases from the 1830s-1860s, but mine is American and, I believe, a little later (I think that because it's marked Sterling, though it does have the earlier Wood & Hughes mark, with an ampersand). Does anyone recognize the castle depicted? I'm curious whether it's an actual American (or foreign) landmark, or just a fantasy. Most American castle-top-type card cases that I've seen are by Leonard & Wilson of Philadelphia c. 1850s and show American landmarks such as Washington's tomb. Here's my new W&H card case with two L&W cases, one showing Trinity Church, Wall Street and the other showing the U.S. Capitol building as it looked in the 1850s. The marks on my Wood & Hughes case: IP: Logged |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 07-23-2012 04:25 PM
The back of the W&H card case: I also wonder about the construction. My photos are a bit blurry--it's rainy and dim today--but if you look at the oval medallions on both the front and back, you'll see the same little blob at around 2:00. To me that says they used the same die to stamp both back and front. But the back has a smooth medallion (engraved with a monogram) and the front has the castle. I'm wondering whether the castle itself was stamped or repousse. Has anyone ever seen this case before? (The one that was recently offered for sale on that big online auction site is mine, though I didn't buy it through that site.) IP: Logged |
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ahwt Posts: 2334 |
posted 07-24-2012 12:14 AM
I cannot see any detail in the flag flying over the castle, but if any is there it would represent the coat of arms of the owner. Your observation that the front and back have the same background around the cartouche is interesting and shows the manufacturing technique used. One side was left blank for later engraving and the other filled with a scene of some interest. There may have been other castles represented or other images that the manufacturer thought would be of interest to the prospective customers. I would guess that the images would have been stamped unless it was a special order where you wanted your own castle or image represented. Whenever I see castles these days I think of my 16 year old granddaughter’s comment that when she grows up she wants to live in a “small castle on the coast of Wales”. I should look for one of these castle card cases for her to set her sights on. IP: Logged |
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agphile Posts: 798 |
posted 07-24-2012 04:16 PM
Just to add that I don't recognise the castle. There seems to be a large second entrance or window in the curtain wall alongside the gatehouse which would be quite a distinctive alteration to an old castle but also an odd feature to add to an imaginary one. IP: Logged |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 07-24-2012 04:58 PM
Thanks, ahwt & agphile. There's nothing on the flag--no hints there. Ahwt, has your granddaughter read I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith? If not, she should. IP: Logged |
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Kayvee Posts: 204 |
posted 07-24-2012 08:58 PM
What a charming card case! You might look through the Wikipedia list of American castles (with photos) to see if you can find a likely match. Entering gothic revival castle in your favourite search engine might also turn up a match. Good luck! IP: Logged |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 07-24-2012 10:10 PM
Wow, who knew America had all those castles? Close-up of the castle: Clearer photo of the front: IP: Logged |
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ahwt Posts: 2334 |
posted 07-24-2012 11:01 PM
Polly, Thanks for the book reference. We are always looking for things to get the grandchildren and I think she will enjoy reading Dodie Smith's book. Google images also calls up lots of castles, but I think your castle maybe a composite one from the eye of the die maker. IP: Logged |
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ahwt Posts: 2334 |
posted 07-25-2012 05:37 PM
I called my daughter and our granddaughter already has “I Capture the Castle”. She saw the book in a bookstore and on the cover was a recommendation by J K Rowling. She had to have it. I wonder what would happen if Ms. Rowling would say something nice about silver. “I Capture the Castle” was made into a movie and I ordered it for her. She enjoys making movies and loves old movies. IP: Logged |
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seaduck Posts: 350 |
posted 07-26-2012 03:31 PM
Looking at the closeup, this notion seems less likely, but I'll throw it out there anyway: Maybe it's not a castle but an armory. IP: Logged |
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June Martin Forum Master Posts: 1326 |
posted 07-26-2012 06:09 PM
I was thinking the same thing, Seaduck. Wonder if the tree variety in front of the building can help identify location. I don't know very much about tree varietals, but maybe someone else does? IP: Logged |
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agleopar Posts: 850 |
posted 07-26-2012 10:12 PM
A possible candidate? 23rd Regiment Armory, Brooklyn One of eight armories constructed in Brooklyn before 1900, the 23rd Regiment Armory was praised for its "massive grandeur. . .the product of a considerable expenditure on the part of the state and the country." (New York Tribune. July 18, 1897). Might have to go see it? IP: Logged |
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Polly Posts: 1970 |
posted 07-26-2012 11:49 PM
Interesting, Agleopar! But that particular armory was built in 1895, which I suspect is way too late for my card case. (Though who really knows? Wood & Hughes was in business until 1899.) Anyway, an armory is a good thought. Thanks, Seaduck! IP: Logged |
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