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Collectibles-General (Antiques)/Ketcham & McDougall Early Thimble

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Expert: - 12/12/2010


Question

Ketcham & McDougall Ea
I found a old dirty thimble at an estate sale and picked it up thinking it was an old sterling piece.  After taking my jewelry cloth to it, I found it to be an early mKd "COIN" sterling and banded thimble!  I found information that says the work "COIN" was heavily used between 1830-70's, but that mKd didn't start making thimbles until 1875.  Another curiosity is that the trademark looks hand engraved and not stamped, however the word "COIN" is definitely stamped.  As best as I can tell the cartouche has the initials "C.H.C" inscribed as well as the word "Gold" just above it, both in a fancy script.  However, there is not any KT markings... just the work "Gold".  I'm thinking this was a very early piece, but wanted to know if you have seen this pattern, or may know further information.  Pictures included.
Thank you,  

Answer
Hello Charmaine.  Congratulations on doing so much research!  You've made my job easy.  The Ketcham and McDougall mark is stamped rather than hand engraved. They marked their thimbles starting in August of 1892.  The word "Gold" is, however, hand engraved and does not mean anything as to karat content.  Your silver thimble has a gold washed band but very, very little gold content is used during the electroplating process, thus no requirement for a karat mark.  The band pattern is not rare or scarce, but I would say your thimble is valued at approximately $55-$65.  Hope I've helped.  Barbara

Barbara K. Acchino

Experience

I have been collecting for almost 30 years.

Organizations
ThimbleCollectors@ONElist.com; Thimble Collectors International (TCI); Thimble Guild; Thimbletter & Thimbletter II, Empire State Thimble Collectors; CyberThimble; Yahoo Thimble Club

Publications
"Sewing with Scotties" Scottie Sampler; various articles for the "Bulletin" - official newsletter of Thimble Collectors International (TCI)

Education/Credentials
I have been collecting for almost 30 years.

Awards and Honors
TCI's President's Award

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