Odd Attic Find (Smoking Women Brass Clip)

[Uncle_Jarvis]

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I came across an extremely nice brass desk mount paper clip. I know its not a bottle but thought since you folks find lots of random things digging/finding someone can help.. Can anyone tell me further details about it? Date, mfg, where something like this would of been used? I could not find a thing online.

Here are some pics.

Thanks in advance. []

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[SkinsFan36]

Can't find one exactly like yours but if you google image search brass letter clip a ton of similar results appear. Most people calling them victorian age.

 

[SkinsFan36]

Looks like they sell for a pretty penny too. Examples on Ruby lane priced from 100-300 dollars. IDK if that is actual value.

 

[Uncle_Jarvis]

It reminds me of Art Nouveau era but Victorian can also be a possibility. I'm pretty sure it is an original, as it was found with items from the late 1800s early 1900s including 1908 dustpan , 1909 iron , tobacco tins, and a 1893 Chicago Exposition flower plantar. This will most likely reside in my personal collection but I just like to know the history on items like this as that's half the fun.

I appreciate any further help on this one.


Thanks

 

[glass man]

It held opium for lady smokers...well it could have!![8|]JAMIE

 

[epackage]

Unless someone was looking for this exact style to fit a desk set I'd say you're in the $20-40 value range if you could find a buyer...

 

[Uncle_Jarvis]

Opium ehhhh? This does fit the time period where women only opium/cannabis dens were popular. The wives getting high out of their minds while the husbands were frolicking at bordellos getting drunk.

It looks like shes smoking a cig. but her facial expression says otherwise/ []

 

[surfaceone]

It reminds me of Art Nouveau era but Victorian can also be a possibility. I'm pretty sure it is an original

Hey Dave,

You're correct. It's very Nouveau. She's a beauty. The Art Nouveau movement straddled the Century, as did the Victorian, and early Edwardian. I can see her though, psychedelicized for the Filmore West, in my mind's eye.

Smoking for women was viewed askance in the Victorian era. Forbidden fruit and all that. New York City had ordinances on the books against women smoking in public well into the Twenties.

I don't believe she's smoking a joint, opiated or otherwise. The clip, I believe, was meant to be hung, judging by the hole in the base.

Torches of Freedom, 1929.

 

[madman]

great find