"Constantine" inkwell with anchor--was this from a cargo or passenger ship?

[Charmin]

"Constantine" inkwell with anchor--was this from a cargo or passenger ship?

I found this at an estate sale for $1 about 5 years ago. I have often wondered if maybe a sailor made for his sweetheart or if it was a souvenir item?? It has an inkwell with an anchor attached and mounted on a shell(clam?) and inscribed "Constantine" below the ink jar. The bottom of the shell is filled with plaster(?) and has an inscription "To Doris Love Gordon".
I have tried to find some info on a ship called "Constantine" and the only thing I could come up with was a U.K. cargo ship by this name ifrom the 1930's.
If anyone could tell me about this or knows anything about a ship by this name, I would certainly appreciate it!
Thanks for looking and kind regards~~sandcreek4

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[Likely Guy]

Re: "Constantine" inkwell with anchor--was this from a cargo or passenger ship?

Sandcreek,

Firstly, that's a great item especially for $1. Congrats on that!

Re: the ship Constantine. I googled "Ship Constantine" and found many links, not just the one ship you referred to. I'll post the links if you like.

 

[Charmin]

Re: "Constantine" inkwell with anchor--was this from a cargo or passenger ship?

Sandcreek,

Firstly, that's a great item especially for $1. Congrats on that!

Re: the ship Constantine. I googled "Ship Constantine" and found many links, not just the one ship you referred to. I'll post the links if you like.

Sure, post the links if you want! I just didn't know where to start and thought someone might know if it was a cargo or passenger ship(to narrow down the search).
I found a picture postcard of a cargo ship by this name on ebay-----but nothing else on
ebay to do with a ship.
Thanks for your help, Likely Guy ! Kind regards~~sandcreek4

 

[Likely Guy]

Re: "Constantine" inkwell with anchor--was this from a cargo or passenger ship?

To narrow the search, do you know if your inkwell came fom the east coast or west coast. I know you're in Oklahoma. So far I've found two brigs, a barque, two schooners, two passenger ships and a shipping line named "Constantine". All prior to the 1930's date you mentioned...

Also, are there any markings on the inkwell/anchor?

 

[Charmin]

Re: "Constantine" inkwell with anchor--was this from a cargo or passenger ship?

To narrow the search, do you know if your inkwell came fom the east coast or west coast. I know you're in Oklahoma. So far I've found two brigs, a barque, two schooners, two passenger ships and a shipping line named "Constantine". All prior to the 1930's date you mentioned...

I'm not sure which coast it came from--it was purchased at an estate sale here in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. So, it could be from anywhere . I wish I had thought to ask the woman who had the estate sale! This thing reminds me of those "sailor valentines" that I've seen on Antiques Roadshow---something a sailor made to send to his girlfriend.
That's a lot of ships you found !!! I didn't think it would be this hard to narrow down the search ! Thanks again for the help, Likely Guy! regards~sandcreek4

 

[Likely Guy]

Re: "Constantine" inkwell with anchor--was this from a cargo or passenger ship?

Don't know if you caught this; "...are there any markings on the inkwell/anchor?" I modified my post.

 

[Charmin]

Re: "Constantine" inkwell with anchor--was this from a cargo or passenger ship?

Don't know if you caught this; "...are there any markings on the inkwell/anchor?" I modified my post.

Let me take another picture of the anchor and I'll post it in just a few minutes.

 

[Charmin]

Re: "Constantine" inkwell with anchor--was this from a cargo or passenger ship?

Here's a couple closer shots of the anchor, Likely Guy. I hope they're not too blurry! The anchor does have a symbol at the bottom(looks like a diamond shape with something inside it) and a flower(?) on the cross bar at the top.

 

[Likely Guy]

Re: "Constantine" inkwell with anchor--was this from a cargo or passenger ship?

Crud, I think those markings are only generic.

Found another 'shellware' inkwell with a similar anchor, but not exact.

http://www.parishotelboutique.com/store/product389.html

 

[Charmin]

Re: "Constantine" inkwell with anchor--was this from a cargo or passenger ship?

Crud, I think those markings are only generic.

Found another 'shellware' inkwell with a similar anchor, but not exact.

http://www.parishotelboutique.com/store/product389.html

Yes, I think you're right about it being generic. The anchor looks like inferior metal--not silver or anything!
That's a pretty good price they have on the one in your link($130.00)!
I'd still like to know if it could be connected to a ship called "Constantine", so I"ll keep researching!
Appreciate all the help, Likely Guy! regards, sandcreek4

 

[Spike51]

Guess what! I am doing an estate sale in Houston and this very same inkwell is being sold!!! I was doing research and this website popped up. How amazing is that!!!?!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Guess what! I am doing an estate sale in Houston and this very same inkwell is being sold!!! I was doing research and this website popped up. How amazing is that!!!?!

I think that means its not a one of a kind item from a sailor to his sweetheart. Its actually bad news. It may have been a mass produced souvenir.


Can you post a photo of yours? Does yours say Constantine? Is yours also from Gordon?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I just realized this is a very old thread from 2009.

Spike51 you may actually have the exact same item. From Oklahoma to Houston? Does yours say "To Doris Love Gordon" on the bottom?