A Few Odd Treasures
My beautiful niece, Jaime came by for dinner one evening last week. My son, Jeffrey was home for the holidays and my younger son, Alex had nowhere he needed to be so it was just the four of us. We had a lovely meal which Jeffrey cooked, a bit of wine and entertaining conversation.Part of the evening was spent sorting through two old jewelry boxes which had belonged to my mother and grandmother. The vast majority of the items in there were of the costume variety. There were a few fine pieces among those and a number of articles that one wouldn't expect to see in a jewelry box. Since I have sons, many of the gems, both real and imitation, should find their rightful place with Jaime. She has a whimsical sense of fashion, and some of the pieces fit right into her style of dress. She filled up a small bag with broaches, rings, pearls and other accessories that caught her fancy, and which once belonged to her grandmother and great grandmother. I know they'll be in loving, appreciative hands. I spent the next morning photographing a few of the many pieces which remained behind - none of which are jewelry. I hope you'll enjoy seeing a few of the mini treasures below.This souvenir fan would have most likely belonged to my grandmother. She always seemed to have a handheld fan of some sort nearby. At first sight, it would appear that this little case was a compact - the kind one would use to powder a nose or for a quick check in the mirror to see how the lipstick is holding up. 
I was surprised and amused to find this razor set inside - complete with a packet of blades.This keychain was another little surprise. It's handy to have a ballpoint pen whenever you need one.Of course, if you prefer using a fountain pen, you'd probably like this one instead.I would like to know who this "V is for Victory" pin belonged to.Last but not least, another V - King George V adorns this 5 cent piece which is actually as small as a Canadian (or American) dime of today.Flip it over and you'll see that it dates back to 1918. Although the coin looks larger in this image, I had just zoomed in for a closer view.Thanks for looking!
61 comments:
What a fascinating collection!
I have some old, silver threepenny pieces, and I think I may have to follow your lead an take photos of those, too...
so cool...used to love going to my grammas house for just these reasons she always had such facinating treasures...the shaving tin is really cool...
I love your treasures! Sounds like a lovely evening with some of your favorite people. I'm with Brian, that shaving tin is pretty darn cool. Happy Thursday Hilary. XX
I like going through the souvenirs and treasures of relatives that have come before us. You see a side of them that you cannot see when you only know then as older adults.
The wife has been collecting fountain pens for nearly 30 years-- a blowup of the pen nib seems to say Shaeffer, and it also appears to be in pretty good shape. It would prob need cleaning and a new bladder, but prob from the 1930s and worth anywhere from 70-170 depending on condition, etc :)
What incredible treasures!
Isn't stumbling across links of the past awesome?! Takes you on a little mind wander as well.... Wondering who used and held all those treasures.
Thanks for sharing them all!
Oh those are wonderful. What treasures.
Treasures indeed, I am surprised there were now hat pins.A lovely set of articles to go through, I am sure it even got your sons attention.
What a unique and unusual collection of treasures. Enjoy!
These are wonderful, but just as wonderful are your amazing pictures. You inspire me every time I look at your blog to take better pictures, especially macro. I loved looking at these.
Oh, what fun! Those really are treasures! :)
I'll take the George V coin... how cool is that! :)
These are great family finds and they are all unique and pretty. Love the little shaving compact! The map on it is quite detailed.
Di
What fun! I loved the uniqueness of each item. I've been thinking about doing a post about a couple of items I still have of my mother's. Maybe I'll have to get busy and do that. See, you've inspired me. Again.
What a wonderful collection - I've never seen a razor box like that!
how cool! I love looking through old jewelry and little keepsake boxes.
How fun to be able to find all that stuff.
Nice pictures of the dreams.
Lovely treasures, indeed! My mother had a similar fan; it might be in the depths of the cedar chest along with other bits and pieces. I'll have to look. One has to wonder about what makes some particular bits of keepsakes so special -- associated memories, I'd guess.
Oh I love that man-compact! :)
What great treasures!
Those are all very cool, you should get them appraised, you might be surprised. Love the shaving tin.
Awesome collection Hilary. The treasures you have are the type of thing my Hubby and I have collected for years. The shaving kit is amazing. I thought it was a compact too. I love how you photographed the fan with the accompanying lines of the blinds balancing the composition. Pure artistry.
I remember looking through my grandmother's collections of trinkets and costume jewels as a child. You brought back some treasured memories.
What a fun evening ... good food, wonderful company, and boxes of treasures to explore together! (I can't believe that was a shaving tin!!).
Very nifty stuff and fine shots. I think I could add a treble hook to that keychain and catch some fish with it. It's just neat to hold old items like that and ponder all the other hands that have preceded your own.
Such treasures, and so lovely of you to share with your niece.
And WOW! King George V from 1918!
what a beautiful collection and such memories wrapped in each piece. how beautiful
how fascinating!
Would I be showing my age to say that I'm starting to have a fondness for old bits.
glad to hear you had such a nice dinner .
Id like to know the story behind saving that king George 5 cent piece. What a lovely collection. I too have a pile of goodies. All the paste is stunning stuff. I should photograph it. Happy New year too you.
What fun, looking through those old treasures! Each one no doubt had a story behind it. Looking at your photos reminds me of when I went through my late mother's costume jewelry, and the interesting mementos she had kept.
What treasures these are.....love them;)
Oh, what fun. And what NEAT treasures!
What wonderful, practical, ladylike things fans are...and nobody uses them anymore. Kind of a shame.
That keyring with the pen is something I need!
What awesome finds, treasures of your grandmother & mother's!! I found many coins in my grandmother's jewelry box also. & since I too have ALL boys.. I'm hoping to give some 'historical' things to a daughter-in-law or grandaughter someday. :-)
Thank you so much for sharing, Hilary!! I so loved this post & your pictures!!
Have a Very Safe & Happy New Years!!
Hugs & Many Blessings,
Coreen
great treasure trove you found there!
Sounds like a great evening with wonderful family members you like to be around...
Photos are fabulous, such an eclectic treasure find!
Happy New Year!
An interesting collection of 'artifacts' Hilary. Thanks for showing them. That coin is probably a collectors piece by now. I like old things and must do a similar blog with some items I have - Dave
These are fascinating, Hilary. What an interesting array, and so well preserved. I'm also impressed with the quality of the keepsakes -- not a flimsy prize from a carnival among them. Why am I not surprised that you come from a line of women who have an interest in the little bit unusual in the world, but also appreciate beauty and quality. :)
• Jinksy, I'm glad my photos gave you the idea to do likewise. Looking forward to it. :)
• Brian, I can remember a different jewelry box which I would sift through as a child. I guess every kid is alike and there's still a lot of kid left in all of us. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Thank you, Lori. It was indeed a fine evening. I quite like the shaving tin too. Neither of my boys were particularly impressed though. ;)
• Tabor, that's so true. You have to wonder if some of their possessions meant a lot to them or were some of them acquired during one of those "what was I thinking?! moments. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Gary, that's cool about Maude's fountain pen collection. That's so neat to know. Thank you and Maude for that information. :)
• Thanks, Dawn. All so true. Each of these items has a history with people we held dear. IT makes them very. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Thanks, Leah. I know it's the kind of thing you'd appreciate. :)
• Steve, come to think of it, you're right. There should have been hat pins. My grandmother had many of those. I wonder where they ended up. Probably in hats. ;) My sons were impressed by the coins, mostly. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Thanks very much, Lady Fi. They're fun for sure. :)
• DJan, thank you, my friend. Your always-kind words mean so much to me. :)
• Thanks, Kat. I'm glad you enjoyed. :)
• Bach, I think it's pretty darn cool. There was actually an older coin than that but initials were engraved into the back so I don't know the exact date but it was from before King George V. :)
• Di, thanks kindly. Yes, I forgot to mention the map of California. I thought it added some souvenir charm. :)
• Thank you, Linda. I would love to see photos of your mother's items. That would be cool. :)
• Barbara, neither had I. I was surprised and pleased. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Ellen, I do too. You never know what you're going to find. :)
• Kristina, it was indeed. :)
• Thanks kindly, Bob. :)
• Pat, I'm sure that's it. Perhaps not even to the original owner so much as to the next generation or two. I'd love to see a photo of your mother's fan, as well. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Rainy, you say "man-compact" like it's a man purse. ;) It's all so Seinfeld. :)
• Reb, thanks. just for fun, I looked a few things up on eBay and there's no big draw for any of them. I'd rather keep them anyway. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Sue, thank you so much for such kind words. The light was coming in through my bedroom blinds and I just laid everything out on the bedcover. It worked out nicely. Thanks so much for stopping by. :)
• MessyMimi, I think that's a given activity for just about all of us when we were young. There's a comfort to it. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Kelly, it sure was a lovely night all around. Yes, the kit really did surprise me too. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Thank you, Frank. I kind of thought you might see that case as shaped and patterned like a lure. :) Yes, all those other hands - mostly related. I'm glad you liked the photos. :)
• KC, thank you. Yeah, I thought that coin was pretty nifty too. :)
• Becca, thank you kindly. Very much appreciated. :)
• Deb, I don't think that's an age thing. I loved things like this when I was a child. And my niece is a wee thing of 25. It's just an appreciation thing. Thanks so much for stopping by. :)
• Maggie, I'd like to know about the coin too (and there were others), but I have nothing from which to glean. And I'd love to see whichever photos you have to share. :)
• Welcome, RandomThoughts, and thank you for your thoughtful comments. It seems we all have some of this sifting in our pasts. Nice to know we can all relate. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• MPM, thank you. I'm glad they please you. :)
• June, thanks kindly. You're so right about the fans. They were so prominent at one time but have never really been seen since air conditioning became the norm. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. :)
• VOS, it's a tad disappointing to realize our sons are not too interested in what we've treasured over the years. I have a ring that belonged to my Dad. It has his initials on it which happen to be my son's initials too. He doesn't want to wear a ring. I'm hoping he'll change his mind one day, or at least see the value in just keeping it. Thanks so much for the kind words, Coreen. They're so appreciated. Happy New Years to you and yours too. :)
• Welcome and thanks, Greg and thanks for stopping by. Always nice to have someone new join in. I hope you'll return again soon. :)
• Maggie Gem, It was a lovely evening, thanks. And thanks for your always kind words. They're so appreciated. Happy New Years to you and yours, too. :)
• Thank you, Dave. I'd like very much to see which artifacts you have to photograph and share. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Thanks so much, Sandra. There were a few less impressive pieces but of course I didn't photograph them. I still have some snaps that I took of some costume jewelry which I might share in a future post. Thanks so much for your always kind words, dear friend. That means so much to me. :)
A lovely collection of treasures there Hilary.
Not that I shave very often, but the little case with the razor is just beautiful.
Awesome collection - love that fan! Happy New Year!
I love finding old treasures. These are superb. I especially like that fountain pen. I hope you treasure them for yourself a little longer.
Have a happy New Year, Hillary.
Nice collection, the stories they could tell
Just don't forget that your sons may someday have wives who may someday have daughters who may ... Well you know ...
It's always fun to go through relatives treasures, isn't it? We used to do that at Grandma's house when she & Grandpa were out in the living room chit chatting with our parents
: )
Oh, so many treasures, I love looking into old boxes inherited by relatives, one never know what one can find. That coin looks so interesting.;)
I love your photography.;)
Happy New Year dear Hilary, may 2011 be a great and a prosperous year indeed,
xoxo
I enjoyed going through your trinket box with you.
Happy New Year.
Maggie X
Nuts in May
Oh, what a wonderful collection of treasures, and I love how you photographed the striped shadow falling across that fan.
Happy New Year, dear lady.
Hi Hilary.... long time no post or comment but I've been unpacking, then I was down and out with a rotten cold, then my monitor blew up, then it was Christmas etc etc.... anyway I'm back on line again. I really love your collection of interesting items from the jewellery box, I have some of those sort of things too, that belonged to my mum, will have to have another sirt through them, maybe there will be blog fodder in there!
• Thank you, Keith. I'm glad you like it. :)
• SD, thanks kindly. Happy New Year to you, too. :)
• JarieLyn, I'll hang on to them for a bit, thanks. HNY to you, as well. :)
• Thank you, Sage. I wish I knew the stories behind them. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• AC, that's true, but I was happy to give some of my mother's belongings to the granddaughter who remembers her a little. There's lots more. Thanks for the reminder. :)
• Sarah, it is indeed fun. It seems to be a universal thing. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Zuzana, thank you so much for your always kind words. You know they mean so much to me. Happy New Year to you too, my friend. :)
• Maggie May, thank you. I'm glad you joined me. HNY to you and yours. :)
• Shrinky, thanks very much. I wish you and your lovely family all the best in the New Year. :)
• Shammie, you've been busy. I hope you find some interesting items to post about too. I'm sure you will and I look forward to it. Happy New Year!
that sounds like a wonderful way to share an evening, going through treasures, good food and conversation.
Wishing you a fabulous 2011 ~
Great stuff! I have my grandmother's jewelry box, and it offers a similar walk through the past. So much fun. These photos are really gorgeous, Hilary. Happy New Year.
WOW...1918! Several years ago with the help of my Dad, I decided to try and collect a penny from each year since I was born. It took quite a few months, but between my Dad, hubby and I, most of the years were collected. My Dad even bought those special coin books for me to place them in. BUT... for the past year I've been trying to find them. I've searched high and low and have been unable to figure out where I put them. Our house has gone through a couple of large renovations since and I think they were probably put into a box and stored away. I might have to start over again, but it brings back such warm memories of my Dad helping me that it would be hard to do it again without him.
oh it's such fun to go through the old treasures like this. the fountain pen really captures my fancy, though the keychain one is quite handy.
I love getting a glimpse of your family treasures. The V for victory piece is my favorite.
What a wonderful walk down memory lane. Incredible treasures which allow you to see a glimpse of the past. Happy New Year!
We enjoy looking at old collections of things, and you certainly have a neat variety there.
The fountain pen would be my fav.
Neat treasures!
Not only a fascinating collection, Hilary, but one that is connected with heart! lol! :)
• It sure was, Tammie Lee. We had a fine time. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Thank you, Sandy. It sure seems to be something most of us have done at one time or another. Thanks for the kind words and a very Happy New Year to you and yours, too. :)
• Jillsy, that's a touching story of you and your Dad collecting those coins together. I hope you can find them soon. No doubt they'll turn up when (and possibly where) you least expect it. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Lime, it sure is fun to examine the past this way. I have a few more items from someone else which I might photograph and write about sometime soon. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Thanks, Steviewren. That one is my favourite too. I wish I knew more about it. :)
• Thank you, Deb. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Happy New Year to you and yours too. :)
• Thanks, Slamdunk. I'm so glad you enjoyed the post. :)
• Thanks, Kerri. :)
• Thanks very much, Michael. Much appreciated. :)
Such wonderful and precious collection. I am glad you shared. :)
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