part of a keychain ?

[fbjr]

Found this in a friends yard about 2 weeks ago. On the front it says rotary at the top, elmira ny at the bottom. On the back is the number 35, under that reads return these keys to Barker, Rose & Clinton company. Under that is a little more writing but is too small to make out. The overall size of this is just a little bit bigger then a nickel, ridged edges and has 2 holes drilled at the top. I would appreciate some help with this one. Thanks
Frank

 

[Breezie]

Did you find the keys too? Breezie

 

[Chris_Odom]

I have seen a symbol very simular to the first picture before, it is the Rotary International Club Logo. gives you somewhere to start lol. i would guess it is a rotary tool of some sort. i would say a rotary blade but it has no hole in the middle. The holes marked on the top makes it look like someone used it as a necklace. hope this helps get you started.

 

[Bramblefind]

Some quick googling -

http://www.joycetice.com/organize/elmassoc.htm

Rotary Club of Elmira -Organized Sept. 27, 1916; incorporated Jan. 18, 1917. Board of Directors, S *Edward Rose, pres; Burton C Meeker, treas; Malison J Wilson, sec, 408 Snyder bldg; Forest Horne ,Clarence W Stewart, Floyd Edmonds, C N Ellis, B C Meeker, Frank Tripp, H 0 Hutchinson, sergeant -at arms. Meets Friday noon at 12.05 408 Snyder bldg.

http://www.chemungvalleymuseum.org/index.asp?pageID=238&recID=949

Rose, Kimball & Baxter, Inc.- On June 25, 1864 Miles Ayrault and Stephen Rose founded Ayrault & Rose at 14 Lake Street in Elmira, NY. There they sold hardware and mill supplies. In 1867, they changed the name to Ayrault, Rose & Co. During the 1860's the company struggled through recession and a series of fires, but still expanded the business into the wholesale hardware trade in addition retail. In 1872, Ayrault and Rose were joined by Irvin D. Booth and and Dounce to form the Booth, Dounce, Rose & Co.. By 1875, Booth had left the partnership while Fred Barker joined, leaving the company as Barker, Dounce, Rose & Co. In 1888, the company became Barker, Rose & Gray and, in 1898, Arthur Clinton replaced Gray making it the Barker, Rose & Clinton Co. In 1928 Howard Kimball joined the partnership and the company became Barker, Rose & Kimball, Inc. In 1952, the name changed again to Rose, Kimball & Baxter, Inc.

So I think it dates sometime btw 1916 and 1928.

 

[72cheyenne]

Great info there Bramble. The piece in question is just a keyfob that has the return info on if they were lost. There were many organizations and companies that did this during that time period. Advertisement and return to information all in one.

 

[Tattooguy67]

I think what you have is a lost key return service key chain for the Rotary Club, seems like i have seen items like this before where if you lost your keys and someone was nice enough to follow the instructions and send them to the address on the back they would match them up to your name and send them back to you, bit of a wag but hope that helps you, nice find and HH!

Chuck.

 

[fbjr]

thank you all for the quick responses and the great info you provided. I didn't find the keys but I haven't given up on that yet, just have to wait for spring LOL Been very cold with a little bit of snow for the past 2 -3 weeks now. Guess it's time to hibernate

 

[AU24K]

I think what you have is a lost key return service key chain for the Rotary Club, seems like i have seen items like this before where if you lost your keys and someone was nice enough to follow the instructions and send them to the address on the back they would match them up to your name and send them back to you, bit of a wag but hope that helps you, nice find and HH!

Chuck.

I agree.
Some say that all you have to do is drop them in any mailbox.
Postage guaranteed.

Scott