Collectibles--General (Modern)/Silver thimble

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Expert: - 10/3/2011


Question
thimble
thimble  
Wynneth,
I recently found a silver thimble while metal detecting an old Richmond VA home built in the 1920s.  It is engraved with the name "Nellie"  the onyl marking i can find is a number "9" on the back which i imagine is the size.  i am looking for more information on this piece.
Thanks
Stan

Answer
Hello Stan,  Thank you for your question.  There were many thimble makers in the US but only one remains, Simons Bros. Co.  Many thimble makers marked their thimbles on the inside top of the thimble.  I believe that some thimble makers never marked their thimbles as many thimbles are not marked with any mark except the size of the thimble like yours.  I am sorry I cannot be of more help to you.  Please email me again if you happen to find a mark on the inside top.  

Wynneth

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Wynneth Mullins

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I am a digitabulist - a thimble collector. I have been collecting thimbles since 1976 and have my own newsletter called Thimble Guild. I started a local thimble collectors group, Thimbles Are Us, in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in 1985. I was Second Vice-President of Thimble Collectors International from 1988 - 1992. I have been a guest speaker on thimbles at local collectors groups, womens groups and churches. I am knowledgable about sterling and gold thimbles made in the US as well as England, Germany, France, Russia, Norway and a few other countries. I am familiar with manufacturer`s marks and codes, assay marks and date marks and other unique marks meaningful to any thimble collector. I am knowledgeable of porcelain, china, brass, pewter, bronze, aluminum, plastic, silver plated, coin and base metal thimble marks. Some questions I might be asked...what makes a thimble valuable (scarce maker, desirable pattern, commemorative, etc.)...where can I find more information on thimbles... are there collectors groups out there...is there a newsletter for collectors...what books are available on the subject? I am very happy to share my knowledge with anyone but will not make appraisals. To do that, you must be able to look at the thimble in person. I have a friend that has a saying, A knowledgable collector is a wise collector. She is a wise collector. In 1992, at the TCI Convention in San Diego, CA, I was given the highest honor in the thimble collecting community. It is called the Myrtle Lundquist Award. It reads, Lundquist Award - Compassion - Caring - Sharing - Awarded to Wynneth Mullins 1992. This award gives me a lot to live up to!

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