Collectibles--General (Modern)/Thimble question

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Expert: - 1/10/2012


Question
Thimble
Thimble  
QUESTION: Hello Ms. Mullins,

I found the attached thimble at a local antique store.  The only thing the seller said about it was that it was sterling silver.  It has a number 3 on one side of it.  The photograph shows the markings on the opposite side of the numbered side.  I'm curious what these markings mean.  Can you help?

Thank you in advance for your advice.

ANSWER: Hello Lisa,

Thank you for your question.  Your thimble is a base metal thimble made in Austria.  The 3 is the size of the thimble.  I hope this helps.

Wynneth

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: How do you know it is from Austria?  Just curious as I know nothing about thimbles!

I had assumed the 3 was the size.  Nice to have confirmation on that!

Answer
Hell LIsa,

Thank you for your question.  Actually, if you look very closely on the side that you wanted me to look at, the word there says AUSTRIA.  I know it is difficult to read but I have been at this for many years and knew what to expect.  I hope this helps.

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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