Expert: Barbara K. Acchino - 1/20/2009

Question
Visiting Stratford-on-Avon in 1986, I bought 7 thimbles for about $20 each, I think, maybe a bit more, from a storefront that sold only these thimbles, and I was told the thimbles were a cottage industry in Stratford. The thimbles are finely crafted and consist of Shakespeare characters, handpainted with moving parts. Beautiful detail with Juliet's arms holding a rose, and the arms move. Romeo is on one knee and his arm is outstretched. MacBeth and Lady Macbeth,also moving parts,delicately painted. The three witches around a cauldron, plus two that aren't thimbles but are small stage setting of Lear and Romeo and Juliet. They resemble in quality the thimbles of the head of Shakespeare I have seen but these are the whole figure and much finer than any I have seen on any site. They are probably pewter.  I went back 10 years later and no one seemed to know anything about the thimbles or the store. I have never seen one on eBay or on any thimble site. Do you know anything about them?  I would love to add to the collection.

Answer
Hello Arlene.  Without pictures, I may be way off base, but check out the "Minnie Maria" line of thimbles on this web site:
http://www.blackcatcollectables.com/acatalog/Minnie_Maria_Thimbles.html
They fit the price range and look similar to your description.  If this doesn't help, I'm at a loss as I usually don't deal in contemporary thimbles.  Barb