Interesting find any ideas

pickman · Jun 23, 2011

I found this in a old park that used to be a farm back in 1750. The piece is made of lead 1/2" thick x 1-1/8" wide. I'm curious to know what the symbol represents and purpose.

Thanks for looking,
Earl

creskol · Jun 23, 2011

Looks like an anchor and chain. It also looks like lettering at the 9'oclock position. Can you make any of the letters out?

Kevo_DFX · Jun 23, 2011

printing plate?

Creskol - I see all the things you see, but interpret them differently. I think that is a stone pick with rope wrapped loosely around it. I doesn't look anchorish to me at all.

I see your letter also. Depending on orientation it is an H or an I.

Edit - OK - I missed the hook part at the bottom. Definitely an anchor.

Also, that letter is an H and the first letter of a word. If you flip the picture and orient it right, can see what it would look like printed.

wstgo · Jun 23, 2011

Could that be HMS?

Kevo_DFX · Jun 23, 2011

It would not hurt it I don't think, I have printed plates I have found.

The problem is that printing it would not help us learn anything. What this thing needs is the letters cleaned if possible.

After they are cleaned, printing it on some heavy paper and putting it alongside the stamp sure would make a nice display. That is what I did with my plates.

And yes, I think it could be HMS. It's about the right size. That means there could be another word somewhere on the thing telling us which ship.

diggummup · Jun 23, 2011

Yes, it needs cleaned and we need an uncropped image of the 1st. photo.

Bigcypresshunter · Jun 23, 2011

It looks like a print plate of a fouled anchor but I only see one anchor flute. Was it cropped off?

All we need to do to see the print image is to reverse it but I agree clean out the letters first..

Silver Searcher · Jun 23, 2011

Kevo_DFX said:
printing plate?

Creskol - I see all the things you see, but interpret them differently. I think that is a stone pick with rope wrapped loosely around it. I doesn't look anchorish to me at all.

I see your letter also. Depending on orientation it is an H or an I.

Edit - OK - I missed the hook part at the bottom. Definitely an anchor.

Also, that letter is an H and the first letter of a word. If you flip the picture and orient it right, can see what it would look like printed.

That's what I see a Pick :P weird no Idea...this could take a while :dontknow:

SS

captdan58 · Jun 23, 2011

at first glance i saw a hand hay rake maybe i'am crazy

Breezie · Jun 23, 2011

Does this help? Breezie

pickman · Jun 23, 2011

Hi All,

I'll try to get it cleaned up better and post another picture in the morning.

Thank You,
Earl

trikikiwi · Jun 24, 2011

Excellent job Breezie. :icon_thumleft:

Can anyone else see? ..........
in the top right in the very first pic of the post...... and in lower left in Breezie's pic.
A person, (a young person?) wearing a hat, reading a book in cupped hands.

Also, I can't see the HMS as other folks seem to. I can definitely see the H.

Maybe, Hymns ?

Mike

Dano Sverige · Jun 24, 2011

Here's my view of the item:

Looks like an anchor to me? Possibly it's only part of a full printing block. :dontknow:

Bigcypresshunter · Jun 24, 2011

I dont know why it has only 1 flute?

timekiller · Jun 24, 2011

Don't know

(what) But I'll share what I see looking at it. :laughing9:

I see anchor,a hand,something that looks like the all seeing eye,& H,M??,? Neat find what ever it is. :wink:

Take Care,
Pete, :hello:

Bigcypresshunter · Jun 24, 2011

Ir almost looks like a gear in the background but maybe its the sun or something. :dontknow:

HMS? (Her Majesty's Ship) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Her_Majesty's_Ship

DirtDigler · Jun 24, 2011

I will make an observation, considering that it might be a printer's slug. The 'HMS' should appear in reverse rather than in correct form. Unless it was used in offset printing, which prints onto a rubber blanket and then offsets it onto paper.

I believe it is, at least, nautical. Great find! I love the ones that remain a mystery.

Bigcypresshunter · Jun 24, 2011

DirtDigler said:
I will make an observation, considering that it might be a printer's slug. The 'HMS' should appear in reverse rather than in correct form. Unless it was used in offset printing, which prints onto a rubber blanket and then offsets it onto paper.

I believe it is, at least, nautical. Great find! I love the ones that remain a mystery.

H is the same in reverse and thats the only letter I can see.

But you are correct. The H would be at the end like SMH. I thought someone reversed it?

creskol · Jun 24, 2011

Just for fun check these two ebay auctions out, paying close attention to the background design on the second one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vtg-Boat-Ship-A...302?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e648a5176

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ancient-Order-U...595?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5adb19a50b

Breezie · Jun 24, 2011

creskol said:
Just for fun check these two ebay auctions out, paying close attention to the background design on the second one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vtg-Boat-Ship-A...302?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e648a5176

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ancient-Order-U...595?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5adb19a50b

I think Creskol's idea of the Ancient Order United Workmen Shield Anchor Block is it or extremely close to it. Organizations changed their logos throughout the years, and maybe this one is the 'cousin' to the one Creskol listed in link #2.
Breezie