Welcome To The Online Version Of Ask Mark Parker Volume 32 September 1998 How to submit your finds

ON THE ROCKS

Q. If possible, please identify and price this find from a recent relic hunt in upstate New York.

A. It's a militia waist belt plate, c. 1830. The "eagle on the rocks" (a.k.a. "stony mountain") device is often attributed to New York militia units- a fairly safe inference in this instance, considering where you found it. With only a rubbing to work from, there's no way to determine condition, or even authenticity for that matter. However, if all of the attachments are intact on the back, a genuine plate of this type in good condition should be worth at least $500-600.

ADMIRABLE ADMIRAL

Q. I dug this copper button while detecting in a cornfield in southeast Massachusetts. It has the name Admiral Vernon at the top, his portrait in the center, a cannon on the left, and an anchor on the right. I know that Admiral Edward Vernon (1684-1757) was a British Navy hero, and that Mount Vernon was named in his honor, but I haven't been able to determine the age and value of the button. Can you help?

A. It dates from 1739-40, shortly after Vernon's capture of Portobello, Panama, a key harbor and Spanish stronghold in the New World. This and subsequent conquests produced a patriotic frenzy throughout the British Empire, and soon Vernon's image began appearing on a huge variety of medals (over 160 different designs). People avidly collected them, used them as tokens and game pieces, wore them as badges and jewelry... and made buttons from them. Commercial buttons may also have been struck from medal dies. Nobody seems to have a firm price for yours, but all the guesses I got from dealers and collectors were under $100. Only one expressed interest in buying it, and his offer was $50.

WESTERN SIZZLER

Q. Several members of our club have been working an old dump site in Nevada, and you never know what the next shovelful will turn up. For example, a while back, another guy found this Tonopah Volunteer Fire Department badge... just 5' from where I was digging! Comments?

A. Well, it's easy to see why you're down in the dumps! According to Nevada memorabilia specialist Ron Bommarito, your friend's find would have been in use around 1910-15, and today has a retail value of $200.

THEY'RE ROOTIN' FOR YA!

Q. This "Drink Hires" watch fob was found at an Oklahoma home built in Indian Territory days. I've been given several different opinions as to how old and valuable it might be. Any information would be appreciated.

A. Hires root beer advertising items are highly collectible, especially older ones. In choice condition, this early 1900s fob would easily bring $200-250, but only about half that amount if worn &/or corroded. Philadelphia pharmacist Charles Elmer Hires began marketing root beer in the 1870s. Originally, it was sold as a dry mix and later as a liquid extract and syrup. Hires liked to use pictures of plump, pink-cheeked children to promote the benefits of their "great health drink," and a lot of different faces graced their ads before the familiar "pointing boy" (often shown wearing a dress or robe) became a standard logo. Slogans varied through the years, too, including "Got a Minute? Have a Hires" and "Hires to You!"

STOUT-HEARTED MEN

Q. Mark, I uncovered this interesting pin (?) at a beach on Shelter Island, New York. The banner at the bottom has the words TREU UND FEST. What can you tell me about it?

A. It's a pre-1969- probably WWI or WWII- British Cavalry regimental cap badge of the 11th Hussars (Prince Albert's Own). The fact that the words are German ("True and Fast" or "Faithful and Firm") might seem peculiar, but it should be remembered that Prince Albert was of German birth and the Prince of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha until his marriage to Queen Victoria in 1840. The 11th Light Dragoons became the 11th (Prince Albert's Own) Hussars the same year. Prince Albert died in 1861, and in 1876 the crest and motto of the late Prince Consort were adopted as the badge of the regiment. And the price tag for such an insignia? $20, problem free; but since the banner on yours is bent a bit out of shape, $10-12 is more likely.

#1 & #2 OF #3

Q. I'll probably stump you on this one, but I hope not. Under the portraits on this © 1924 pin are the names Robert M. La Follette and Burton K. Wheeler. Who were these men?

A. La Follette was the Progressive Party's U.S. presidential candidate in 1924, and Wheeler was his vice-presidential running mate. Prior to that time, LaFollette had been a Republican senator from Wisconsin; Wheeler, a Democrat senator from Montana. Both were liberals within their original parties. The Progressive ticket drew support from various organized labor and socialist factions, and Lafollette managed to garner nearly five million votes in the general election. However, he received only 13 electoral votes (those of his home state), finishing a distant third to Republican Calvin Coolidge. Your pin, incidentally, is worth $10-15.