Posted 7 years ago
KarenLR71
(191 items)
Here is something that is a curiosity to me, when did the 'start' of retractable mechanisms begin?
This is an antique Ketcham & Mcdougall Retractable Brooch. The retractable chain does not 'retract'. I guess there are places that MIGHT be able to repair this?
On the back it is marked: KETCHAM & McDOUGALL, PAT FEB 24, 1903, NEW YORK. The pin has a C clasp.
I did find an archive of what seems to be a 'Jewelers Association' newsletter/advertisements in 1909 where Ketcham & McDougall were advertising they makers of 'Automatic Eye-Glass Holders ' among other things. It was pretty fascinating.
It desperately needs to be cleaned up . No idea of what kind of metal...thoughts? Ideas on what to use to clean an item of unknown material?
Might just be sterling silver, as this one is ( same design)
https://www.powerofonedesigns.com/products/victorian-ketcham-mcdougall-sterling-silver-retractable-chain-eyeglass-holder-button-brooch-or-pin
Wow....why do so many things that end up being silver..seem gold or brass colored to me...and vice versa?
Efesgirl - seems to be the exact design on the brooch/pin....thanks!
Check this out! I have a chain exactly like that and it tests positive for platinum! You might want to have it checked if you don't have a test kit. Very pretty!
And P.S. Platinum can absolutely create patina! I know this is 100% true although you will read on the web that it does not. I have a bracelet that's platinum with a dark patina. I'll post it so you can see.
I'm thinking that it's possible your piece here may have been around someone that smoked, is that possible? That could be why it's got the yellowish tone to it. Have it checked by a jeweler.
This was probably made for a ladies watch. Here is one for an Ingersoll Nurse Watch made by Ketcham & McDougall.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/166819-ingersoll-nurse-watch?in=collection-724
Yours would be for a lot fancier watch.
Dave
I just spent an hour posting that bracelet and wouldn't you know it...I have no idea what key I hit but it's gone! Poof, just like that...I'm done for now. Will try again later for sure.
shareurpassion - OH NO!!! I intensely dislike when things like that happen!! I actually have a test kit that after I read the directions...all I could think was "I'm in NO WAY qualified to use this stuff"..LOL. I read up on silver first and it seeemed to me that I would end up marking/testing a great deal of the surface area of the item so I got really nervous that I'd mar things.
pw-collector - thanks so much for the link! That is so cool. I'm absolutely enthralled with this thing...even in it's current non-working condition. Not sure if anyone clicked the link Efesgirl provided but it sure seemed to be almost identical image of the 'brooch' part...don't ya think (albeit cleaned up, sparkly and working..lol).
Additional note: ON the link Efesgirl provided, that brooch had another date listed on the back of the brooch while mine does not. It has the first date (probably a patent date?)...
Thanks to TassieDevil, Efesgirl, melaniej, Caperkid, pw-collector, and shareurpassion for the "love"!!
I was looking for something and found this , thought you might want to see it too.
https://www.gemsociety.org/article/victorian-period-jewelry-1837-1860/
I just saw your comment on the test kit. I don't understand exactly why nothing I've ever 'scratched' has gotten ruined, but it just doesn't. Maybe if the item was plated, soon you will be able to smell the difference thought...you might already be able to do that, between real and costume. it has a brassy smell to it. Anyway what I wanted to say was be sure you don't breathe that stuff in. I'm sure there is a few videos on the net to see. Check out a few of them... You know what...take the chain and scratch it on the stone then put your 18k acid on it. Let me know what happens. If the line shows, it's platinum, then do that with the brooch, Let us know!!!
shareurpassion - Love the article! I've bookmarked it. I love the romantic/victorian period. I love reading about the 'language of flowers' and would really be intrigued if anyone ever made pieces with flowers and the 'language' they represented back in that time period. GAH..I could go on forever...lol. Thank you so much for sharing that link with me!!
shareurpassion - I've been working on boring, tedious work stuff...I work for a global company so often I have to assist people in different countries so my sleep schedule gets out of whack. I'll give it a try in the morning (the test) if I don't get a new deluge from the U.S. side (of work).
Came back to check. I know how things go...sometimes we have to put what we want to do last and the least first! I'll check again later. I know if it were me, it might even take a year!