1899 class ring

[mattgaudian]

Found my first class ring detecting in the water today. I believe it's from 1899 and it has the initials from the local high school in the middle. It is stamped 14 k and Wendell. Anyone know this maker.

 

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[Johncoho]

Man that is really cool. Has to be the oldest class ring I have ever heard about. I found a ladies class ring many years ago that was the class of 1918.

 

[Gridwalker306]

Yeah that IS super cool. If I was going to find a class ring, I'd hope it was that one. Very nice, congrats

 

[villagenut]

Cool ring but do you think it might be 1966 instead?

 

[Texas Ed]

That is one fantastic find and "congrats" - thanks for sharing your pictures with us & I wish you many more while out dirt/water fishing.

Texas ED

 

[mattgaudian]

Could be 1966 but the letters really didn't mean anything and the style didn't match. But I could be wrong

 

[sutphin]

ONE HAEL OF A FIND YOU GOT THERE . MAKES YOU WONDER WHO IT BELONGED TO ..

 

[OBN]

Beautiful Gold save, I would check the local high schools history and see how long they have been around, the 14k hallmark looks to be of that era, the Wendell more modern but possible. I've found a 1914, and a few 1916 class rings but the designs were way different. My guess is she is that old...

And Your sure it's not a military ring

 

[deershed]

Sweet find!!
Was the local high school there in 1899?

 

[BagLady]

Very nice! I was wondering about the date too. Has to be "99" because of the WHS reading the right way. Good Luck on the research, and let us know what you find out.

 

[tony curnick]

Wow!

 

[tomhighland]

Sweet find! Has to be 1899. By 66 Jostens pretty much had that market. Never heard of the maker, could have been local, maybe out of the twin cities or even Chicago. Finding out about our finds is sometimes as much fun as finding them. Thank you for sharing this one.

 

[ajaj]

I hope someone can find something on this ring; it's a fascinating find. I did a little online research, but come up with little. I' try some more later.

aj

 

[digger460]

A very nice find! Good luck in your research on it

 

[trapperart]

Congrats on a nice ring

 

[Jyverb64]

Very cool ring

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

That one may be hard to return since the owner is now 134 years old .

 

[villagenut]

I hadn't noticed the letters on the face, WHS but I can't really see the S. Can you get a straight on pic of the letters with the lighting better, showing all three letters?

 

[ScubaDetector]

My experience with class rings tells me that indeed it is 1899. I have found over 100 of the critters and have returned 36. My oldest class ring is 1901. You beat mine by 2 years!

The reasons I know it is 1899 are by 1966 most if not all had stones and the makers mark and karat stamp are unique to older rings. I doubt you will find information on the maker, however I could be wrong.

If your school is that old it would be awesome to do some research and find the original graduate. Only a handful would have graduated. Maybe someone that became important in your towns history or something else? Are the initials of the graduate inside?

Don't EVER have that melted if you for sure can verify the school. I am positive you can get a premium price for it. Unfortunately my ring was from a school with the initials BHS and I could never find anything solid.

Congrats on a beautiful find

 

[DirtStalker]

There was a Wendells Jewelers in Oswego NY in 1894
But this may be closer WENDELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY - Chicago, IL
Founded by Charles Wendell in 1850 c. Became Wendell Mfg Co in 1885
http://www.silvercollection.it/AMERICANSILVERMARKSWXYZ.html