Hidden Photo with Owl
IMSA#: PMNS-009
Estimated Date: 1895
Country of Origin: USA
Manufacturer: Battin & Co., Newark, NJ
Catalog No.: 255
Material: Sterling Silver
Markings: "Sterling", "Pat'd March 31, 1896" plus Battin mark located under the front side, above the photo.
Patent/Design No.: Not marked, conforms to U. S. patent #557101
Patent/Design Date: March 31, 1896
Size (Inches):
2
5/8 x 1 1/2
Reverse:
Leaf design along
edge, see photo. (Note the red dot is a pressure sensitive label that was added
in the 1970's.)
Description and
Comments:
Hidden photo match safe with an owl motif, striker at bottom. The
front is hinged at the bottom, and after opening the lid, the side panel opens
to reveal photo. This type of match safe was referred to as a "Secret Photo
Match Box" during its day. Today, some people refer to it as a "Mistress match
safe"
Submitted BY:
From the
collection of the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian
Institution. Gift of Carol B. and Stephen W. Brener.
