Posted 13 years ago
packrat-pl…
(310 items)
Here is a very interesting item I dug up with my metal detector many years ago in Corpus Christi, Texas, at a downtown building project. As you can tell, it has been in the ground for many years. These are probably the two valves of the top of an old match case. There was a bottom portion that slid into this portion. This could have possibly also been a business card case. As you can tell, this is made of brass.
I cleaned this with a process called electrolysis, here is more info on that, for those who are interested:
http://www.dirtyoldcoins.com/restore/electrolysis.html
Here is what I find intriguing about this little item. One side is engraved with the famous Anheuser-Busch “A”, St Louis logo. The other side has an engraving of a Pullman Palace Car, see the name on the car? This is a very intricate engraving, somebody did a great job.
Here is more info on them:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pullman_Palace_Car_Company
Below the Palace Car is the name Adolphus Busch, which I am sure you all recognize. Here is some background on him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolphus_Busch
I have not found another one this personalized yet. Could this have belonged to him personally? Why have your name engraved on this to give to someone else? Was this a gift to him from another person, possibly somebody at Pullman?
Questions, enjoy
Very interesting Packrat! I came across a site that has an excellent selection of Anheuser Busch knives, given as employee rewards and advertising to customers, and some of them also have Adolphus' name one them: http://www.bullworks.net/virtual/infopages/anheuser.htm
My guess is your matchsafe was another item given out to loyal customers, dealers, or employees. No idea about the Pullman Palace Car - unless this was a joint item, or given out at some Pullman-related event or commemoration?
Hunter,
thank you very much for the info! This item has always fascinated me.
Your input is always appreciated.
Thank you very much mrmajestic1, bratjdd, trunkman , Trey , kerry10456 & gargoylecollector
Thank you very much for the kind words BELLIN68
Thank you very much Hunter, walksoftly & jbcollector
Thank you very much for the love toracat, miKKoChristmas11 & collector4evr