✅ SOLVED Can someone give me a hand here?

[villagenut]

detected this little guy today at a pretty old spot , I knew it was a hand when I dug it but saw more detail here at home. It seems that it is a play on the old phrase, "better is one bird in the hand than two in the bush" or something along those lines. There is a rooster in the palm and the words "copy right" in the rectangle below it. It is not broken off something else but looks like it had a pin soldered on the back at one time. Question is, How old do you think it is, I havent seen one before...but like a dummy, I am posting this before I even tried finding a similar example on line....sorry for that. But anyhow, any thoughts on this?

 

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[bc5391]

I have a theory for you to shoot down.

I believe this is an ‘Ulster Loyalist’ pin. Perhaps not from any kind of official organisation, but worn as an expression of political and religious support for the Irish province of Ulster remaining part of the United Kingdom. A little history first:

The hand is, I think, symbolic for Ulster and has been used as their emblem for centuries. It’s usually shown as a right hand, and in red if coloured, but you’ll commonly see it in silver or gold on unenamelled jewellery… especially rings. Also known as the “Red Hand of Ulster”, like this one, which also carries a political message:

View attachment 1875024

In 1688, we had our ‘Glorious Revolution’… a largely bloodless overthrow of the Catholic monarchy by a popular uprising following an invasion by the staunchly Protestant William of Orange from the Dutch Republic. William’s army was pretty much invited to come an invade us to stem the rise of Catholicism and he took the throne as William III of England (William II of Scotland). William was popularly known as ‘King Billy’ and became the poster child for Protestantism thereafter, with Ulster Loyalists becoming known as ‘Billy Boys’. All of this suited the province of Ulster in the North of Ireland, which was largely protestant, but not the southern parts of Ireland which were predominantly Catholic. Hence the deep divisions in Irish politics that ultimately led to partition in 1921, with six of Ulster’s nine counties becoming the state of ‘Northern Ireland’ and remaining loyal to the monarchy.

The Ulster Loyalist movement emerged in the late 19th Century in direct response to the Irish Home Rule movement, and the rise of Catholic Irish nationalism. Ulster was popularly referred (at least by its own residents) as “The Cock o’ the North” and that imagery was used in political propaganda, and also referenced in one of their ‘battle-cry’ songs: “Fight for Billy, Fight for Billy, Fight for the Cock o’ the North…” Here’s a piece of Loyalist propaganda in the form of a postcard, reinforcing their opposition to Home-Rule for Ireland:

View attachment 1875025

I think someone has put the two elements together in that pin as an expression of Ulster’s loyalty, which would probably put it somewhere in the late 1800s or early 1900s.

I think you nailed it.

 

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[creskol]

I have to hand it to you .. That is an interesting find.

 

[Bramblefind]

Got it!

https://hakes.com/Auction/ItemDetail/230809/UNUSUAL-AND-RARE-HANCOCK-REBUS-LAPEL-BADGE

[FONT=&quot]UNUSUAL AND RARE HANCOCK REBUS LAPEL BADGE.[/FONT]

Item Description
1.25x1.5". Die cut metal in the shape of a three leaf clover w/embossed hand having a rooster in its palm. Cuff has text "Copy/Right." Reverse has spot of solder where a vertical stick pin was once attached. Moderate wear most notably a .25" dia. spot of oxidation affecting the hand at lower left. VG. The first we've seen in our 52 years.

 

[villagenut]

Got it!

https://hakes.com/Auction/ItemDetail/230809/UNUSUAL-AND-RARE-HANCOCK-REBUS-LAPEL-BADGE

[FONT="]UNUSUAL AND RARE HANCOCK REBUS LAPEL BADGE.[/FONT]

[FONT=&]Item Description[/FONT]
[FONT=&]1.25x1.5". Die cut metal in the shape of a three leaf clover w/embossed hand having a rooster in its palm. Cuff has text "Copy/Right." Reverse has spot of solder where a vertical stick pin was once attached. Moderate wear most notably a .25" dia. spot of oxidation affecting the hand at lower left. VG. The first we've seen in our 52 years.


[/FONT]

I didnt come home today and expect that, Bramblefind....great ID!!!!! You guys and gals never cease to amaze me. TNET has got to be proud of itself for such an amazing bunch of folks who collectively make one heck of a forum .

 

[villagenut]

Dang, those little similar pieces are pretty pricy, never would have thought that.

 

[villagenut]

Seems you already "have a hand"

So... I will point a finger at the combination.

"handcock"

AARC, yes you were onto something with that....

 

[Mackaydon]

The enjoyment I received from reading this thread is one reason why I have stayed a Treasure Net member for 16 years.
Congrats to to all. Outstanding research.
Don.....

 

[Retired Sarge]

The enjoyment I received from reading this thread is one reason why I have stayed a Treasure Net member for 16 years.
Congrats to to all. Outstanding research.
Don.....

Well said, coming up on 12 years myself and regardless of how long or how often I stray away, I always end up back here.

 

[ARC]

Well said, coming up on 12 years myself and regardless of how long or how often I stray away, I always end up back here.

Its the reverse for me... I strayed away TO here. heh

Speaking of straying... one time at camp....... :P

 

[villagenut]

I had been so curious about this little pin seeing the auction results of the similar examples posted earlier, and I inquired Heritage Auctions for an estimated value and they responded it is a very nice example with an auction estimate of 400 to 500 dollars. I never would have guessed it. I plan on keeping it however