Vintage Tiffany & Co ..Rare Find Miniature Book Jacket?

[sfcoins]

Hi!

I have this Tiffany's piece - I have no idea what is is but when I was given it they said it was a miniature book jacket but I have no more information..

If anyone knows what it really is or value or where I can get specific information that would be great!

Thanks in advance,
Nicole

[wendy177]

Is the piece marked Tiffany??

[sfcoins]

Yes - On the bottom of the outside

[mart]

And can we see the mark ??  

[sfcoins]

The 2nd photo above I posted shows STERLING TIFFANY & CO - There is no other marking except a Monogram engraved on the front.. Should there be another mark?

[talesofthesevenseas]

I think you have a dance card case. Here's an example:

[sfcoins]

Wow what is a dance card case I never heard of this? Or where can I find more information?

It only measures 2inches tall and the front or back flap measures 1.25in wide and the binding is only about 1in wide

[mart]

In the Victorian era when they had social gatherings a gentleman would present a lady a card with his name printed on it if he wanted to dance with her !! Then the lady would dance with each in the order the card was presented to her !!  These cards were also used as calling cards when a gentleman went to visit a lady !!

[frogpatch]

What is the exact size of it? I do not think it was for cards because of the holding brackets. I think it may have been for a box of matches.  Or possibly a little address book. Those brackets look as if they were designed to slip in and hold something.

[sfcoins]

That's what I was thinking a book of some sort because of the inside brackets..

It is:
2inches tall
The front or back flap measures 1.25in wide
 and the binding is only about 1in wide

[bigwull]

looks like a money clip to me...

[KC]

However, I seem to recall that in the grand days of eloquence they made little books for the horse races....they also made holders for score booklets for golfing!  They even had small prayer books that could clasp in.  Giving covers like this was very common!  

I believe you could have match book cover!  Like these  http://www.rubylane.com/item/648247-dtkx20154/Vintage-Sterling-Silver-Match-Book  However...yours has clips....so...nah.

Look at the clips in the "spine".  The depth is too deep to hold the dance cards OR even be used for calling card (that were placed in a basket when you visited people).  The clips would need to be on one of the side flaps for those.

Not for cigarettes - they had clamps on both sides as well like this

[talesofthesevenseas]

I understood that a lady would have blank cards and would write the gentleman's name down (notice there is a pen or lead pencil with the example above!) and dance with them in the order that she was asked. It was kind of like making a reservation.   

[KC]

Totally agree on the blank cards Talesof....just don't see how this one would outfit that.  Have seen many over the years.... But, I can always learn something new!

Now as to the hallmark....
Since there is not directorship letter, this had to be made after 1965.  However, if I am seeing this correctly, Tiffany&CO as i see it on your piece isn't how Tiffany did their hallmark.  They used a superscript underlined o  such as C^o . (Sorry best way I could do it with the tools above.)  Can you make a better picture of the hallmark?  Thanks!

[talesofthesevenseas]

Hmmm... post 1965 would be way too late for dance cards. We were doing the Watusi by then!