Expert: Martin G Roberts - 8/31/2004

Question
Mr. Roberts

Forgive me if all this sounds a bit ignorant, please, as I know nothing about this object in my possession.

It is a mug, reniscient in style to a stein, made out of, what looks to be, pewter.

It has an insignia on the side with some sort of crest surrounded by: "Universitas Nebraskensis * Feb. 15 1869". This seems to be latin for University of Nebraska (not too difficult to decipher). the underside of it has some markings, possibly "Milton-Colombia, PA".

I know this may not be antique at all, but I am unable to find ANY information about it through online searches...

I'd appreciate any information about it you may have. Thanks!

Carlos

Answer
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It could well be pewter, but it could as easily be electroplate (perhaps now without the silver). The marks don't give me any clue, I'm afraid.

You should have checked the web for the university (Uni Nebraska -Lincoln) - it's at www.unl.edu, and was chartered Feb 15 1869. Took 5 seconds to find this info!

The date could be commemorative - that is, it might actually date from the 50th or 100th anniversary of the 1869 date (1919 or 1969). Indeed, without sight of the piece, I rather suspect this is the most likely explanation - perhaps a celebration of the centenary of the founding of the institution? Alternatively, this might be an ordinary bit of alumnus merchandise, perhaps from the 1970s.

Value, if just a pewter mug, is little. More likely, any value resides in the institutional connection, the significance of which I am in no position to judge.

Hope this helps.