Wooden gavel with metal plate, engraved "To Joe Wissler from his fellow Blackstonians, Dec. 12, 1941".
Provenance
Joseph Buch Wissler attended Lititz H.S., graduated from Franklin & Marshall College and earned his law degree from Harvard. He was Dist. Attorney of PA from 1924 to 1928. Elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1941 and served in that position for 29 years. F&M presented him with an honorary Doctor of Laws in 1952.
Flat shaped tool is constructed of two sheet brass sides riveted together at the handle end, allowing a flat triangular iron blade that is sandwiched between to slide out at the other end for cutting. Blade slides via a small riveted guide that slides along a slot in the brass sides. Cutter's brass sides have a fleur-de-lis-shaped handle and scalloped sides and each slot has a measuriing scale numbered from one to ten.
Inscription: The sliding guide on both sides of the slot reads "D.M.CO. / PAT SEPT. 3, 72 / BPT.CONN."
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
