✅ SOLVED Maybe an ashtray? Maybe some type of funeral display? Maybe????

[vpnavy]

OK gang - what is it? It was pretty rusty when I pulled it out of mother earth - but, it looks pretty good now. Measurements are 5 1/4" High (base to top of "book") by 4 1/4" across base. The base almost looks like an ashtray and the top like an open book. It does say "B. SHOFF" and "Red Lion, PA." Can't make out what is inside the "circle." Thanks!

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[bowwinkles]

Open book display.

 

[villagenut]

Personalized paperweight for a musician.....?

 

[Reanm8er]

Greetings VP nice find!

I took a peek on ancestry and thought this might be relevant. Check the occupation. This could be a fixture for contest judging or a store display of her
wares.

Best wishes and good luck!

 

[Tony in SC]

Could be a place marker for a meeting,convention. etc.

 

[Reanm8er]

It could have held complimentary matches on the counter where her cigars were sold. Can you dowse? Maybe you should check around the place where you found it to see if there might be a grave there?

 

[jeff of pa]

Sorry I Checked news print 1836 to 1963.

No Connection of a Shoff & Red Lion Could be found.

Only 12 Pages even Include Both Names on the Same Page.

But No B. connection

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/...ance=10&rows=20&searchType=advanced&sort=date

This doesn't Mean much But the Name is B. SHOFF Not Shoaf or A. Shoaf so I'm throwing out the Info above.

My first thought Was Funeral Entry Book holder for people Paying Respects to Sign .

Those I've seen are Usually on Floor stands and Larger so they Don't Move.

But it could be a cheapo Low Budget Funeral Peace to hold a Smaller Booklet.

Just a Guess though. Probably Need a Makers Mark, To see who they Sold to.

it does look like the shape for music or funeral to me.

Is it heavy to help Prevent Tipping. ?
Screw on bottom looks easy to Remove.
I would guess Nothing down there But maybe Lead or Other heavy Ring

 

[diggummup]

There is a B.(Billy) Shoff in Red Lion, Pa. listed but he is only 35 years old.

https://www.checkthem.com/name/billy-shoff/

 

[nhbenz]

I agree with Tony on the place marker or table number holder, like from a wedding reception:

I would guess they had some sort of disposable number or name portion that fit over them?

 

[Bramblefind]

I like the table place holder idea too. There was a Bernice Shoff in Red Lion who was an active officer in the Rebekah Lodge. So maybe this was from one of their functions.... ?

Any history of the site where you found it?

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53003730

 

[Plug N Play]

Maybe Bob ? ... maybe a bible ? ... this fellow was very active in the area.

Robert C. Shoff, 74, died Wednesday, August 27, 2003 at 2:50 p.m. at his residence after a brief illness. He was the husband of Jacqueline M. (Frey) Shoff to whom he had been married since May 10, 1951. He worked for various trucking companies within the Teamsters Union and was currently employed part-time at Enterprise Car Rental in York. He was a member of Teamster Local No. 430, Red Lion American Legion Post No. 543 and had served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. He was also a member of Grace U.M. Church in Windsor where he was a former trustee. He was born in Windsor on June 25, 1929 and was a son of the late Raymond C. and Alverna B. (Grove) Shoff, Sr. Besides his wife, he is survived by one son, R. Jeffrey Shoff of Red Lion; four grandchildren; Joshua D., Amanda M., James D. and Jacob T., all of Red Lion; one brother, Donald B. Shoff of Apache Junction, Ariz.; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, James R. Shoff in 1988. A viewing will be held Monday, September 1st from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m. at Burg Funeral Home, Inc., 134 W. Broadway, Red Lion. The service will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Ronald B. Schmuck, of Red Lion Bible Church, officiating and assisted by Pastor Gary D. Sowers of Grace U.M. Church in Windsor. Burial will be in Susquehanna Memorial Gardens with a flag folding ceremony by the York County Veterans Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to Red Lion Bible Church, 105 Springvale Rd., Red Lion, PA 17356; Grace U.M. Church, 11 W. Main Street, Windsor, PA 17366; Hospice Services of the VNA of York County, 218 E. Market Street, York, PA 17403.

 

[jeff of pa]

if not for that little Dingy,



I'd wonder if it Fit There

 

[A2coins]

I think your on the right track. At least its not an Urn which Ive seen many people post on what is it. lol I like finds like that research can be a lot of fun. Im sure some one will ID it......Tommy

 

[vpnavy]

It could have held complimentary matches on the counter where her cigars were sold. Can you dowse? Maybe you should check around the place where you found it to see if there might be a grave there?

Not near a cemetery - thanks!

SNIP - Is it heavy to help Prevent Tipping? - Screw on bottom looks easy to Remove - I would guess Nothing down there But maybe Lead or Other heavy Ring

1 lb .08 oz - Removed screw - nuttn' - thanks!

SNIP - Any history of the site where you found it?

Noppa - thanks!

SNIP - I'd wonder if it Fit There

Dang - we place flowers on the wife's family grave up in Centralia - YES - it sure looks like the exact size - sure looks like the exact size of the flower vase holder - thanks!

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Thanks everyone - I believe it does have something to do with a funeral...

 

[DCMatt]

I'm guessing that this is only part of the original item. Maybe there was a piece on the front to hold business or introduction cards on a table in your foyer. That was a common practice back in the day.



Also, the letters appear to be hand stamped into the item. Seems like it was made in a mom & pop shop.

 

[Joe-Dirt]

I don’t know what that is, but it screams “ shoot me with a .22” just sayin’

 

[vpnavy]

I'm guessing that this is only part of the original item. Maybe there was a piece on the front to hold business or introduction cards on a table in your foyer. That was a common practice back in the day. Also, the letters appear to be hand stamped into the item. Seems like it was made in a mom & pop shop.

Wow - I hope that you are right - maybe it isn't a funeral thingy - thanks Matt!

I don’t know what that is, but it screams “ shoot me with a .22” just sayin’

Dang - never gave that a thought - it sure would make a good target!

 

[vpnavy]

Maybe Bob ? ... maybe a bible ? ... this fellow was very active in the area.

Robert C. Shoff, 74, died Wednesday, August 27, 2003 at 2:50 p.m. at his residence after a brief illness. He was the husband of Jacqueline M. (Frey) Shoff to...

Figured I would contact the Funeral Home mentioned in your find Plug N Play. Bingo - they identified the item. It was a Grave Marker they used years ago. Thanks Plug N Play!