Expert: Irene Schwall - 2/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: I found an old thimble that has a green glass top with 3 leaf clovers going around it in a band  and a harp. It has 5 boxes with makers marks in them. They are from left to right 7 , J3 , an anchor, a lion, and I can't make out the last, possibly a R. Now I've been looking on the Internet  and can't find what the 7 means or the R. But I have found the J3 is year 1858 and the anchor means it came from Birmingham England and the lion means sterling silver 92.5% pure silver. I was hoping you could shed some light on what I found on the Internet and tell me if I am correct and shed some light on the other marks and maybe a price for the thimble. I tried to take a picture of the marks but they are too small. Please e-mail me with any questions you have.

Thank You.

Benjamin

ANSWER: Hello Benjamin,
Are you able to take a photo of the thimble?
If not then I'm pretty sure that what you have is the following:
The thimble is a stone topped English thimble. The 7 indicates the thimble size number. The anchor is the city mark for Birmingham. The Lion Passant indicates that the thimble is sterling silver or .925 silver. The maker's mark could be 'J.S.' and if this is the case then it was made by James Swan (& Son). If it is JS & S - same company.
The 'R' is the date letter.  Without actually seeing the date letter it is not possible for me to be 100% accurate as to the age of your thimble but I know that it is not 1858. If you go to this website:
http://freespace.virgin.net/a.data/dateletters/bham/bhamframe.htm
you will be able to match your date letter and outline to those shown.
I hope this helps.
Irene


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sorry, when I tried to upload a picture the site freaked out. I'll try again. The marks are to hard to photograph.

Answer
Hello Benjamin,
Thank you for including a photo of your thimble.
As I suspected, your thimble was made by James Swann (& Son). Samuel Henry Swan took over the business around WWII and they cornered the market of making thimbles with stone tops.  Most likely your thimble has a Moss Agate top.  The pattern on your thimble is known as "Shamrock and Harp".  These thimbles were made in large quantities.
To date your thimble, please see the website referenced in my prior communication - you will be able to study the date letter and shape for a positive identification.  Without a specific, clear photo of the date letter and shape, it is not possible for me to date your thimble for you through AllExperts.
I hope this helps.
Irene