Posted 4 years ago
Webstart
(1 item)
Just going through family items and came across this amazing item. Not sure what the symbol is or what the pin was for. If you happen to know please do share!!! Thank you.
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Hi, Webstart. :-)
It's intriguing. You didn't give dimensions, but I suppose it could be a lapel pin.
About the company:
*snip*
The Charles F. Irons company was found in 1861 in Providence R.I by Charles F Irons. He then partnered with one of his long time employees Charles A. Russell in 1881. The company's name changed to the Irons & Russell Co. in 1893. They are considered by many people to be one of the preeminent fraternal jewelers of the late 19th century and well into the 20th century.
*snip*
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/101705-antique-masonic-pin-iandr-co--personal-c
https://guide.ppsri.org/property/irons-russell-company
https://www.goprovidence.com/listing/irons-and-russell-building/24652/
Courtesy of Mr. Peabody's WABAC machine, here's a copy of an 1895 Irons & Russell Company catalog:
https://archive.org/details/illustratedcatal01iron/mode/2up
All of the various items in it are gold, so perhaps I&R Co. only made gold emblems, charms and pins in that era.
Here's a WWII era 'silver' star made by I&R Co. (so the company survived at least into the 1940s):
*snip*
A great minty WW2 example with Oaks and a slot brooch. Complete with Coffin Case, lapel pin and ribbon bar.
On the reverse there was a small triangle with an "I" on the suspension hanger. A little digging confirmed that this was the maker mark for Irons & Russell Company.
*snip*
https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/orders-medals-decorations/silver-star-oak-leaf-cluster-irons-russell-company-728167/
No joy thus far on finding a fraternal organization that had two hemispheres as part of their emblem. :-(
I don't know if your pin has a makers mark on it, but here are some I&R Co. marks from c.1896, c.1934, and c.1950:
https://www.langantiques.com/university/mark/irons-russell-inc/