President James Monroe Baby Cap

[2x4misc]

Ok - have to share some of the odd things I find in the DC area and collect. I could not pas this item up even though I do not have one shred of provenance to back it up.  The little card that states "Cap of Pres. James Monroe" is sown to it. Thought I would share and see what other oddities are collected by the folks in this forum.  Again, everyone have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

http://www.2x4misc.com/images/Cap_004.jpg

-Ray

[hosman321]

You know, there could still be some hope that it is true. At least you have that little card, even though it's not much a good detective could possibly try to figure it out. For example, is that an address? Someone may be able to match up handwriting with an ancestor or see if this item was previously in an auction. If you feel it could be authentic, I'd say it's worth the money to pay a high profile appraiser to find out!

[2x4misc]

I did some research a while back on it and the address is legit - could never read the first name but the person is legit.  BUT, just cause she says it is - don't make it so - right? But it is very old and fragile so I keep it in an 8x10 screwdown lucite. I actually parted with $50 to get it at an estate sale here - it was too cool (for me) to pass up.

- Ray

[Oceans64]

It appears there maybe a genealogical connection to Pres. James Monroe and a Howard family.  My best guess at the name is Edwin H. Howard.  Don't have time to search tonight but it may be a good avenue to pursue.

You may want to look around this page: http://horwitzfam.org/getperson.php?personID=I12880&tree=Complete

His email is at the bottom.  I'd email him and see if he has an Edwin in the family (or something similar)... I am sure he would LOVE to help you with this!

[Rauville]

I don't know how a person could ever disprove that it wasn't what it says it is? I once had a walking stick that was made from segments of wood, attached together with metal ferrules. One day, while looking at it, I discovered that the segments came apart, and within one of the ferrules there was an tiny folded up piece of paper stating, in old script: "That the wood had been cut from Mount Vernon...".  I had to believe that was the truth, since I had no way to prove otherwise.

(Ray; I just looked at your website. Interesting items, to say the least. I see you even managed to get your photo taken with two of our Senators, past and present.)

[2x4misc]

Rauville: That is what I do to support my collecting habits - I would go out and get political autographs,sell them which then provides me the money to go to Estate Sales and buy things for my collection. That way, I rarely hit the house money.

[2x4misc]

Thought I would share some of my other "pieces of" collection.

"Piece of "Old Ironsides" given ...... by men repairing..." (USS Constitution was rebuilt 1930 and this is apparently a piece of wood taken off the ship)
http://www.2x4misc.com/images/ironsides_009.jpg

Piece of wiring that was attached to John Glenn's Atlas Rocket with letter:
http://www.2x4misc.com/images/glenn_100.jpg

Please share you similar "pieces of" items.

-Ray

[Rauville]

I've always had a soft spot for old paper items that have survived...
This piece is staring at me right now.

[talesofthesevenseas]

Wow, neat stuff- all of those posted above. The baby cap is fascinating!

Rauville, I know what you mean about paper ephemera. I recently bought the postcard below. This is a colorized photo taken in Alum Rock park in the 1890's. That little gazebo is still standing today. When I was a little girl my father used to take me here and I can remember when mineral waters were piped into tasting fountains under that dome. In my teens I boarded my horse in Alum Rock Park and I remember having races on the lawn next to the gazebo. I look at this little postcard and it brings back so many happy memories for me, and gives me a glimpse back in time all at once!