✅ SOLVED Anyone know what this is?

[Tioga]

Goes back a ways. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

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[Mackaydon]

Tioga,
Welcome to Treasure Net !!
Are you in in the Mattoon area of Illinois?
You may wish to contact Mattoon's local library's Reference Desk and ask if this Service Station still exists and, if not, ask if they can they give you the full name of the owner.
Don........

 

[Tioga]

Hi Don! I've actually been with Treasure Net since 2006, but haven't posted anything in a long time. I'm actually in North Carolina. Just posting this for a friend who was inquiring, so don't know a whole lot about it. Since area codes weren't established till the late forties, I'm guessing this piece is older than that.

 

[NHBandit]

I collect gas & oil advertising and I can't say I've every seen anything quite like that. Clearly from the clever wording it's made to "hold" something but it looks like it's missing some parts. A dispenser for books of matches, ice scrapers, etc. maybe ? Some sort of promotional freebies ?

 

[Stegner]

Hard to see the details of the lower part - could you share some different angles?

 

[Tioga]

Sorry Stegner, that's the only pic I have. Thanks for looking.

 

[littleneckhalfshell]

from looking at another solved item, nothing like this one, it gave me an idea. Could it be used to "hold" the strap of a ladies purse while she used her wallet to pay her bill? looks like you could slip the handle of a ladies purse over that bottom part, maybe? just a shot in the dark.

 

[fmerg]

it is a bottle opener that would be on a vending machine it would date between 1892 (the first year of the crown cap) to the very early 1900's
in 1910 the phone numbers in america were 4 numbers

 

[JunkDetector]

There appears to be a patent number at the bottom. Try looking up the patent number.

 

[Helix]

Metal at bottom looks cut, at least I wouldn't think it came from a factory like that. My guess is that it is the upper half of a advertising thermometer, glass broke and someone made use of the advertising top.

 

[Tioga]

"May we 'HOLD' your patronage" is the key to identifying this thing, making me think it may be more along the lines of what littleneckhalfshell suggested. It does look like a piece is broken off the front. With the flower at the top, I wonder if it was meant to hold a lady's pocketbook while she was in the restroom.

 

[Mackaydon]

Tioga,
Here' s the info on the library should you wish to contact them by Email or otherwise:

Mattoon Public Library​

1600 Charleston AvePO Box 809Mattoon, IL 61938Phone: (217) 234-2621Fax: (217) 234-2660Email:info@mattoonlibrary.org

 

[wainzoid]

Im guessing vintage broom holder.

 

[Helix]

"May we 'HOLD' your patronage" is the key to identifying this thing, making me think it may be more along the lines of what littleneckhalfshell suggested. It does look like a piece is broken off the front. With the flower at the top, I wonder if it was meant to hold a lady's pocketbook while she was in the restroom.[/Q When I read "May we "HOLD" your patronage". I was thinking they were trying to say more along the lines. "We want to keep you as a customer" At least that's how I interpreted it. I could be wrong but couldn't another word for patron be customer?

 

[Tioga]

Im guessing vintage broom holder.

BINGO! We have a winner! Found a picture online of one very similar. Thanks wainzoid, and thanks to all who were kind enough to reply. And thanks Don for forwarding the Matoon Library info.