Expert: Irene Schwall - 10/31/2010

Question
Hi,
First of all, thank you for your time. I will be sending the photos of the thimbles I am writing about as soon as I send this note to you. Basically, I bought a pair of old thimbles with a political slogan on them - Let's "Sew" It Up - Barber for Senator
Would you share with me any information you would have on them or what a fair price would be for me to sell them. I bought them for $.25, but I would like to know I they are of any value.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Missy Kinchen

Answer
Hello Missy,
Thank you for your query.

Political memorabilia is very collectible but there are certain criteria.
1. The condition of the item, no matter the piece.
2. How popular that person was 'politically'
3. How many times they were re-elected and for what office.

Question:  does your thimble have a date anywhere for this Barber?  My reason for asking is that the thimble dates to around the 1920's and in researching the BARBER name, there are a few of them (NJ and Wisconsin).
NJ Barber = Warren County: Thomas Barber 1912-24
WI Barber = Barber, Joseph L. — of Marathon, Marathon County, Wis. Republican. Member of Wisconsin state senate, 1923-25.

The 19th Amendment which gave woman the right to vote was ratified on August 18th, 1920. Thimbles were made to appeal to the female voter with slogans that they could relate to.   Many of these plastic or celluloid thimbles were made by a company called Brown & Bigalow. (Check the inside top of your thimble, it may be marked with B & B, USA)

Because the actual print on your thimble is damaged (they need to be in mint condition to be highly collectible) and also considering that the Barber name is not that famous, your thimble is of little value I am afraid. It might appeal to a thimble or needlework tool collector simply for the wording "Let's Sew" but again it is of little monetary value.

Regards,
Irene