Expert: Barbara K. Acchino - 5/26/2006

Question
I was given a thimble by my aunt. She had rec'd it from her Godmother as a child. If still alive she'd be about 115 years old. The thimble is marked sterling and Germany on the bottom silver ring.It is enameled with butterflies. Interior has an S in an oval &  2 crowns in what looks like a halfmoon. Can you give me any info on it or where I should look. It's very pretty.
Thanks, Marcia

Answer
Hello Marcia.  How nice to have a thimble with family history!  Any chance you can send a digital picture of the thimble?  If so, send it to bacchino@twcny.rr.com.  Since I am at a disadvantage not seeing the marks, I am going to venture a guess.  It may be a German made thimble with the interior marks representing it was imported to Sweden for resale.  The crowns in an oval (perhaps some of the mark is worn so it looks like a half moon?) and the large S were used from 1912 to the present.  That would mean the thimble is no older than 94 years.  There are numerous books out on thimbles, so you might want to check with your local library or book store.  You might also search eBay for similar items for sale.  Not all thimble sellers are knowledgeable on the topic, so you might take what they describe with a grain of salt.  Hope I've helped some.  Good luck with your search.  Barb