What about cemetery stones?

[quicksilver]

I found a crude, square-shaped tombstone (I believe). It has 2 dates engraved: Oct. 1893 and Dec. 1896. There is a name (PAT). I can't make out a last name, if there is one. I found this at a construction site. I don't think there was a cemetery at this site. Maybe because this was a child, he/she was buried near an old house. It is about 1.5 inches thick and about a foot wide. Are these collectible? Let me know your thoughts on this one.

Matt

 

[quicksilver]

After cleaning it up some, I see that PAT is a patent. There is an "F3" next to it. It looks like a part of a building from 1893. I don't know how they knew they were going to be in business for 3 years, or maybe 1896 means something else.

Matt

 

[hope4]

Could be 1883-1886 was how long it took to build the building.

Just an idea.

Hope

 

[quicksilver]

That could be. Thank you.

: )

 

[Ye Olde Prospector]

Here is a piece of marble I dug from an old town dump a few years ago. It is 3/4" thick and 4 1/2 by 2 inches. I had tried to find out its purpose, still only guesses. Everything from a paperweight to a sample of embossing for tombstones. One person said that people who built fireplaces and mantles sometimes embedded a marker like this as a sort of advertising thing in case someone else was impressed with the workmanship and wanted one like it built. Just curious if anyone else has any possible ideas. I am guessing it was probably made in 1855, but other than that who knows.

Cliff

 

[bubbas dad]

cliff, it could be either a foot stone or a marker for an infant.

 

[Ye Olde Prospector]

Possible I suppose but seems quite small for that purpose.

Cliff

 

[tncgal]

Matt, yours is probably a building/church cornerstone. Yes, they are collectible. I'd like to see a picture.

Cliff, yours is probably a street address marker for a building. Normally they were imbedded in the building, but some were used on the front steps. It's also true that it could be a masons advertisement for stonework. I don't believe it's a cemetery marker or typestyle for a monument maker. The carvers work could be seen in the local graveyards. The only possibility that comes to mind, in regard to cemetery marker, would be a corner marker for the family plot.

 

[Ye Olde Prospector]

Hi tncgal,

Thanks for the info,might check with historical society in the town to see if they have any iny on the name and date. Thanks again.

Cliff

 

[quicksilver]

Thank you for the lively discussion. The date on mine is 1893 and 1896. It is kind of shaped like a top hat with straight edges. My cam isn't working yet on my new computer. I can't wait to get a pic on here. I do think now it is a building/church cornerstone. So, how collectible are these? What kind of values are we looking at? Any general rules to follow when determining values or conditions?