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SNET Toll Lines match holder/vesta

Started by Sargeguy, February 17, 2015, 03:14:46 PM

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Sargeguy

I just picked up a silver plated match holder/vesta ($18 eBay) featuring a Southern New England Telephone Company Toll Lines logo.  It features the 1908-1923 style bell.  A perfect complement to Dietz Lantern I bought the other day:

Greg Sargeant
Providence, RI
TCI /ATCA #4409

Sargeguy

Here is the before picture:

Greg Sargeant
Providence, RI
TCI /ATCA #4409

Fabius

#2
Nice item. Wouldn't this predate 1908 as there is no BELL SYSTEM lettering under the bell? Pictured is the 1908 bell and the 1895 bell.
Tom Vaughn
La Porte, Indiana
ATCA Past President
ATCA #765
C*NET 1+ 821-9905

Sargeguy

I'm thinking the circle makes it an 08, and they just replaced "Bell System" with "Toll Lines".  The Bell does  have a pre-Bell System look to it, especially the lettering so I am not that confident in my guess.

I have started getting a few Southern New England Telephone items since I bought the "mule" sign.  I try to keep my collecting to telcos that operated in RI.  SNET operated some toll lines in Western RI so I think this one is ok.
Greg Sargeant
Providence, RI
TCI /ATCA #4409

Sargeguy

#4
Found the manufacturer after removing some grime and looking at it with a loupe:  A.R.T. MFG N.Y. PATENT JAN 12 04
Greg Sargeant
Providence, RI
TCI /ATCA #4409

Fabius

A.R.T. = Art Excellent Manufacturing Corp.
Tom Vaughn
La Porte, Indiana
ATCA Past President
ATCA #765
C*NET 1+ 821-9905

Fabius

Patents issued Jan 12. 1904:

749,458 Jan. 12, 1904 to H.S. Spencer, Dovetailing-machine dovetailing machines

749,492 Jan. 12, 1904 to W. Lodge. Variable Speed Mechanism for Lathes machine mechanisms

749,544 Jan. 12, 1904 to W.H. Ermentrout, Wrench pipe wrenches

749,550 Jan. 12, 1904 to E.J. Fulghum, Machine for trimming and matching the ends of flooring matchers

749,603 Jan. 12, 1904 to J.S. Barnes, Groove-cutter cutterheads

749,632 Jan. 12, 1904 to G.W. Rouse, Wrench Attachment pipe jaw attachments for wrenches
Tom Vaughn
La Porte, Indiana
ATCA Past President
ATCA #765
C*NET 1+ 821-9905

Sargeguy

I couldn't find anything either, possibly a fake patent?
Greg Sargeant
Providence, RI
TCI /ATCA #4409

Fabius

Quote from: Sargeguy on February 18, 2015, 10:52:49 AM
I couldn't find anything either, possibly a fake patent?

I've seen that before. Patent dates that don't have anything that seems to match the item with the date on it.

The company seems to be still in existence. Try contacting them.
Tom Vaughn
La Porte, Indiana
ATCA Past President
ATCA #765
C*NET 1+ 821-9905

Sargeguy

Looking through old ads from the 1940 it seems like they specialized in custom rubber stamps, office signs, Christmas Ornaments, nameplates etc. at that point.  I assume these were some sort of gifts or presentation pieces to personnel of the Toll Lines department.  It appears to be either solid silver, or electroplated nickel.  There is no sign of brass or despite lots of wear tot he surface.
Greg Sargeant
Providence, RI
TCI /ATCA #4409

.....

Awesome find. I've never seen one before, very nice.