My Museum Day.....

[greenacres]

I went to the museum today with my mug. Good news to report. The mug is real! She agreed with me with the time period. It's around 1840. Claire, (the curator), asked if she could keep the mug for 3 months to do further research. She made connections before I came. One was "The Mercer Museum, which is amazing, I've been there.
http://www.mercermuseum.org/ There was somewhere else, but I can't remember. Claire she had many other places she wanted to check. As far as an appraisal, she could not give me one. They don't have one at the museum. However she did give me three places to contact for appraisers that will really research and then give you the value. Haym Solomon is so rare they only have 3 or 4 items at the museum. He was George Washington's financier. His picture was never taken, but they have his signature. Claire said there is a huge upswing in interest of "Haym Solomon". They just built a statue of him in Chicago. Claire told me she would keep me up to date. What do you think the mug is worth now? Just curious as to your thoughts.

[Ipcress]

1840 isn't that early, but it's the connection with that alley and Solomon, so potentially several thousand.

[greenacres]

Claire gave a little more history that I'll read tonight. She'll tell me more when she knows more.

[greenacres]

She also stated that it was definitely after due to the term "Unsung Heroes". Originally the houses were 1 thru 17, and as soon as we figure out when the address change occured that will help date the mug better. House 17 was 139 Elferth's Alley. By the way I told her about all of you , and how we dicussed the mug.

[sugarcube5419]

pls give the rest of us a recap on this, I can't find the original post at this point.

YEA for you!!

[bigwull]

Has it been a week already....how time flies...gawd..I,m a week older....

[Ipcress]

She also stated that it was definitely after due to the term "Unsung Heroes". Originally the houses were 1 thru 17, and as soon as we figure out when the address change occured that will help date the mug better. House 17 was 139 Elferth's Alley. By the way I told her about all of you , and how we dicussed the mug.

I'm surprised they don't know that already. Can't be that difficult to ascertain with access to hard copies of records.

You should also ask if she has any experience with pottery and if she's seen something made in that manner from that time period. I haven't.

Really hope it's early because it would be one of those moments - mostly why we're all interested in antiques.

[greenacres]

Did you check out Mercer Museum? They are one of the foremost in the field, and "The Pennsylvania ? Society". Shoot I should have wrote it down. She has other people she needs to contact. Haym Solomon died in 1785. It not that far off. I'll check from the other name she gave me. This is a very prestigious museum. I'm not concerned about her contacts.

[greenacres]

http://www.antique-shop.com/forums/index.php?topic=7929.0
Here sugarcube5419

[sugarcube5419]

WAY COOL--so very interesting--glad for you.  Keep us updated---

[greenacres]

Thank you sugarcube5419! It's like a good novel and you can't wait to find out the end. Ipcress this is for you. This is the second place she told me about. http://www.psupress.org/books/titles/978-0-271-05240-3.html .

[greenacres]

America didn't sign a peace treaty until 1815 England.

[fancypants]

Nice progress so far , greenacres !

As to $ value .... well , certainly more than you paid for it !!!

[greenacres]

You re so right fancypants! The worst thing is I understand the plight of the museum. I can see what I think Claire would like. My MUG! lol  They have so few items on him. I think she would like me to donate it. The history is so overwhelming once your put in this situation. I'm waiting to learn more. The paper I signed was a receipt for "inspection of prospective donation". She crossed that out for me, and whispered it slightly as we spoke. It's for 3 months. It's being stored with other exhibits. Claire is a lovely women, and was very helpful. I trust her judgment.

[KC]

Fascinating!!!!!  Keep the new coming!!!