✅ SOLVED Jeweler / Watch makers marker?

[granthansen]

Jeweler / Watch maker's marker?

I found this yesterday while metal detecting in Mount Holly, NJ. It was deep and rang in as $0.25/$0.10 coin. It's some type of jeweler's marker, opposite of an embosser since the letters are in relieve (sunken, not protruding out).

I've tracked the guy, John Mecke, back to a Philadelphia director of silversmiths from 1839. Cool!

Can anyone help me specifically determine what it is? Also like an embosser, it seems as though it was once housed in a press or stamp mechanism.

See attached pics (one is reversed to show typing more clearly).

Thanks!

 

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[ABruce]

I'm betting that it's an INTAGLIO printing plate, much like those that are used to print currency. The resulting image is raised like an old fashioned business card. Lots of 19th and early 20th century stationary and bill heads would be printed by this process. Ink is spread into the plate and the ink is wiped so as to be trapped only in the recessed areas. When pressed against the paper under very heavy pressure the image prints without smudging the ink and when dry the letters feel raised. Artist's etchings are made in the same manner, but usually with copper plates.

 

[granthansen]

Thanks ABruce. You are close! Perhaps the process is dead on. There's been some discussion on this in today's find forum:
http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/t...00s-jewelers-clock-watch-makers-embosser.html

I didn't expect an ID there, but we're well on the case now. Very exciting!

 

[steelheadwill]

Super Find!!
Maybe for advert handbills, or receipts..
Big congrats!! Herbie

 

[DCMatt]

It was used for making watch repair papers. When a watch was repaired, the watchmaker would put one of these inside the watch to indicate that he worked on the piece.

I helped identify one of these found by one of our members in Maryland last year. Cool find!

DCMatt

 

[granthansen]

Thanks! I'm going to mark this as identified... I forgot I posted here as there's been an ongoing thread with updates under today's finds. The American Antiquities Society wants to include pics of this in their national archives. Pretty cool!

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/t...00s-jewelers-clock-watch-makers-embosser.html