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Your Price: $ 12.99
Item Number: 2049
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Manufacturer: Maryland Casualty Insurance Company
Nifty vintage collectible advertising piece found out of a home. This is a desk paperweight which also doubles as a mirror (while this is the size of a pocket mirror and could be used that way, we have read that these were intended to sit on someone's desk and provide a mirror there).
It was distributed by the Maryland Casualty Company and states their name along with their lines of insurance, "Casualty, Bonding, Fire, Marine". The center shows the company crest or shield and indicates that this was distributed by the "New York Office, 111 William Street, RECTOR 2-2500". From a bit of internet research, we think this was a New York City phone number and address (we can't guarantee that, but it looks to be that). The style of indicating the phone number suggests that this piece dates around the 1950s, and could range from 1940s to 1960s (we've seen some of these listed as dating to the 1930s so it could be even earlier, we are suggesting it is from the 1950s to not over-promise).
There are 4 separate manufacturer markings along the outer edge of this vintage paperweight. The first indicates this was made by the Green Duck Co. of Chicago, U.S.A. We think the other three markings all relate to unions which had personnel involved with either the manufacturing of this piece or were otherwise somehow related to the Green Duck Company or the Maryland Casualty Company. One mark appears to be for "I. P. E. U. 634", we can't quite read the union name for the second mark which also shows the number "313", nor the words related to the third union mark. We have provided close-ups of each of these four edge markings so perhaps you will recognize them yourself.
Round measuring a tad over 3 3/8 inches in diameter and sitting about 1/4 inch in height. We have read that these old collectible mirrors are made of celluloid but we are not experts and are not sure of the materials here. This piece looks to us like it consists of 3 separate pieces with differing materials. The top printed part which has the words and design could be celluloid. This has wonderful clear and bright graphics using a black and white background with words in black and gold, red decor for an inner circle, and all four colors on the Maryland Casualty Company crest or shield. This top part is slightly crimped onto a narrower rounded edge piece which holds the mirror within it. This piece holding the mirror could be metal as there are some scratches on it that go though the black surface to show gray metal coloring. A magnet does stick to the top, side and mirror parts, so it could be sticking through the celluloid top to the metal below. Unpacked, this vintage pocket mirror weighs a bit over 3 ounces.
We've provided 8 images, to show the topside, mirror underneath, and close-ups of most of the markings around the side. Please note that the camera lighting causes white "hot spot" reflections on the smooth surfaces. Please use the zoom feature to examine closely.
Excellent overall condition with some expected use/age wear. There are no cracks, breaks or crazing. The top celluloid side has a terrific overall appearance. On very close inspection at an angle in bright light you will see evidence of use/age wear via a number of surface scratches and some other general wear, but nothing bad at all and nothing that detracts or would be seen on display. The mirror itself is in excellent shape with just a touch of wear via a few black dots/spots and other surface wear but nothing bad at all, very usable as a pocket mirror. On the lower side piece which holds the mirror you can see surface scratches, dots, wear which show the gray metal through the black outer coloring, but not overly bad and nothing unexpected for a vintage piece that likely was used and sat around.
A nice addition to any collection related to the insurance industry or a collection of these vintage paperweights or pocket mirrors. |
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