Author Topic: Baby Pacifier or Bosan's Whistle  (Read 2604 times)

Kimmienemo

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Baby Pacifier or Bosan's Whistle
« on: September 02, 2013, 12:54:34 pm »
Hello again!  It's been a while and I have missed the bantering and advise of the members of this forum!  I hope all is well with those I have shared messages with in the past!

I have come across a little item that has been in our family for quite a while.  Rumor has it that it might have been a bosan's whistle.  I have seen some similar to this that were baby pacifiers.  I have also been told that it might have been a whistle used to summon slaves.  (My father's not-so-distant ancestors were from the south).

I would greatly appreciate your advice and thought on this little piece.  It appears to be shell of some kind, with a silver whistle top.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Kimmienemo
It is better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool,
than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

KC

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Re: Baby Pacifier or Bosan's Whistle
« Reply #1 on: September 02, 2013, 01:45:15 pm »
It wasn't unusual to have baby rattles with whistles.

Here's a trove of them to peruse
http://www.ghislainechaplier.co.uk/rattles-whistles.html?1d9cc108eeb4c10e67c cb069656c1552=b1868d3235bb29723d52bb89bc4554bd
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

Kimmienemo

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Re: Baby Pacifier or Bosan's Whistle
« Reply #2 on: September 02, 2013, 01:50:50 pm »
Hi KC!  It's good to hear from you again!

This object is just shell and whistle. . . no rattle.  I have seen the older vintage rattles (and absolutely love them), but not one quite like this.  As I mentioned the old rumor in the family is that it was a bosan's whistle or a slave whistle.

Any idea of how old?  I know my grandmother (and I am 52) had it and gave it to my father.  However, she only knew the rumors of its use. 

Again, good to "hear" from you!
It is better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool,
than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

Kimmienemo

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Re: Baby Pacifier or Bosan's Whistle
« Reply #3 on: September 02, 2013, 01:53:35 pm »
By the way, KC. . . thank you for the link!   ::)
It is better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool,
than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

KC

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Re: Baby Pacifier or Bosan's Whistle
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2013, 03:09:08 pm »
You are welcome!

Have seen in the past that they were considered teethers and/or pacifiers!  If you looked at several of the rattles that were posted previously, they had this part on them as well!

Read this article!
http://golfgal.hubpages.com/hub/Uncommon-History-of-the-Baby-Pacifier-alias-Binky

Note the style of the shell area on this Tiffany teething/rattle!
http://www.kovels.com/201009228038/Collectors-Concerns/tiffany-a-co-rattle/Print.html
« Last Edit: September 02, 2013, 03:12:08 pm by KC »
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

KC

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I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

mart

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Re: Baby Pacifier or Bosan's Whistle
« Reply #6 on: September 02, 2013, 03:48:55 pm »
You are on top of this one KC !!!  Excellent !!!  How is that house coming ??  Finished yet ??

KC

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Re: Baby Pacifier or Bosan's Whistle
« Reply #7 on: September 02, 2013, 06:26:15 pm »
Mart, not finished by a long shot.  Stopped working a few weeks ago and going to start interviewing contractors next week for the work we can't do ourselves.  So, constant disarray.  (Good reason to have a dusty house!)  :)
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

greenacres

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Re: Baby Pacifier or Bosan's Whistle
« Reply #8 on: September 02, 2013, 07:30:43 pm »
KC, it's hard to live under construction. You never know where anything is.
" Energy and Persistence conquer all things."

mart

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Re: Baby Pacifier or Bosan's Whistle
« Reply #9 on: September 02, 2013, 08:15:03 pm »
Having a carpenter/ builder/Dad/family,, I don`t think we ever had one that was completely finished !! Got close once though,, only the garage was under constant construction !!

KC

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Re: Baby Pacifier or Bosan's Whistle
« Reply #10 on: September 02, 2013, 11:32:50 pm »
Totally agree geenacres!  Mart, we inherited a family cabin in CA years ago and sold it.  It was started before my hubby was born and when we got it it still wasn't finished.  Found out it had never been signed off by building inspectors from the 40's.  But, we swore we would never end up like that and so far so good!!!
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!