-40%

Vintage Yellow Gold Filled Calling Card Case - Photo Case - Rolling Papers or ?

$ 7.89

Availability: 97 in stock
  • Condition: Minor scratches consistent with age
  • Age: 1900-1940
  • Type: Card Cases
  • Composition: Sterling Silver (.925)
  • Pattern: Pinstripe
  • Style: Art Deco
  • Brand: Unbranded

    Description

    This auction is for an interesting vintage accessory, in yellow gold filled metal.  It is not marked, but it is a higher quality manufacture than thin gold plating.  Measuring 3 1/8” x 1 1/2” x 5/32” rectangle, the case has a hinged fold-over lip keeping it together, and a well-functioning spring mechanism to fully open the case. Each side has narrow flanges to hold or slide items into place.   One side only has a clear glassine piece you usually see for protecting photos.
    Not really sure what this is.  It was in my grandfather’s stuff; he was a smoker with a lot of smoking accessories, and I know he rolled his own back in the day—would he have had something this fancy for his rolling papers?  Maybe.  Or was it a case to carry two special photographs?  Or, a card case used when personal calling cards were around this size, and not the wider business-type cards we commonly see today?
    It’s in good shape, though does have a lot of fine scratches.  There is no wear to the gold where the under-metal shows through.
    Thanks for looking.