A: Homemade awl or piercing tool with hand-shaped shank with turned up tip set into a crude wooden handle with no finish. L: 5.25"
B: Awl or bodkin with decoratively turned walnut or rosewood handle fitted with a foresection of bone set into handle that tapers to a sharp point. L: 5"
C: Section of cow's horn (thumb protector?) L: 3.25"
D. Section of cow's horn (thumb protector?) L: 3"
Provenance
These four items were designated as basketweaving tools by donor. Unknown origin.
Medal consisting of three parts: At top is a pin of cast bronze with a spread eagle clutching a saber against two cannons & cannon balls; middle section is a suspended American flag silk ribbon which in turn suspends a cast bronze star replete with military symbols on front and back. On front side within a centered circlular band are the words: "GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC." and "1861 - VETERAN - 1866." Inside circle is a scene of a soldier's return from war. Reverse side has numerous symbols portrayed within a compartmented, scallop-edged circle.
Medal consisting of three parts: At top is a pin of cast bronze with a spread eagle clutching a saber against two cannons & cannon balls; middle section is a suspended American flag silk ribbon which in turn suspends a cast bronze star replete with military symbols on front and back. On front side within a centered circlular band are the words: "GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC." and "1861 - VETERAN - 1866." Inside circle is a scene of a soldier's return from war. Reverse side has numerous symbols portrayed within a compartmented, scallop-edged circle.
Eagle's proper right wing tip is broken off and bent back. Bronze is very dark with tarnish and soil. Ribbon is extremely faded on both sides with some soil on back.
Mechanical fluter that attaches to tabletop with clamp on base. Wood-handled crank moves two rollers with longitudinal ridges that engage each other like gears.
Patented in 1866
Provenance
that they were better known as fluting irons or fluting machines, but were also called rufflers, crimpers and fluters. They were very popular during the 18th century when Victorian women wore dresses with mounds of fabric trimmed in dainty ruffles, flutes, flounces and small pleats.
These machines were used to “crimp, ruffle and press little pleats into starched fabric. Fluters were used for collars, cuffs, etc., and these vintage tools were an invention that saw their heyday in America from the 1860s through the 1880s,” according to the Mechanical Nature Antiques website
Spherical egg with mottled dark brown decoration on light colored shell, with hand-drawn date done likely with a white wax and a fine point stylus. Wax prevents dye from "taking", creating a scratched effect. Date on side is "1876". Dried yoke inside.
Medium-size decorated egg colored dark blue with hand-drawn decoration likely with a white wax and a fine-pointed stylus. Wax prevents dye from "taking", creating a scratch effect. Large initials on side are "FHH". Filling out side decoration are two vining flowered plants rising from the large end to the small end. A bird perches atop one. Large end has an 8-point star with crosshatching inside alternating sections and in the alternate sections is the date "1872". Dried yoke inside.
Sourvenir / memento is five hanks of curly brown hair of varying thickness and length, each tied, one with thread, one with red ribbon, one with light string and two with heavy string. Several small coils are loose.
Note on small scrap of ruled paper states: "Curls cut from Mary W. Rettew / when about 8 years of age." Mary was born Nov 17, 1866. See Notes
Longest hank is about 21" and the shortest is about 15".
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2015-03-17
Object ID
2015.999.5
Notes
1880 Census lists Mary W. Rettew, age 13, a niece of the head of home Mary A. Wilson, age 63, of Lancaster. Death certificate for Mary Rettew states she was born Nov. 17, 1866 in Marrietta and died iNov. 4, 1934 in Lancaster. Unmarried, she was living at 1043 Buchanan Ave. in Lancaster. She was buried at Woodward Hill (not found in FindaGrave). Her father was Amos Rettew, born in Chester County.
The 1860 Census lists a possible candidate for father living in Maytown: Amos R. Rettew, age 26, married to Elizabeth (Graybill?) age 23 and one child, George, age 1.
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
