Shriners Token ?

[Hill Billy]

Shriner's Token ?

Found yesterday digging on an 1880's site. Can someone help date this piece? Appears to be silver plated. Made by Mayer Bros, Seattle USA.
Thanks Billy

 

[diggummup]

Re: Shriner's Token ?

All I can find out is that they were in business from 1895 - 1945. After that they were absorbed into Towle.

 

[72cheyenne]

Re: Shriner's Token ?

This is from the Hella Shrine of Dallas Texas. The Shriners held their first meeting in the USA in 1872. I can't find yet when the Dallas chapter was organized. But as far as time frame, I would guess using the info from diggummup on the maker, it from 1895-1920 era.

http://www.shrinershq.org/files/shrine/PDF/SONA_Short_History_Booklet.pdf

http://www.hellashriners.org/

 

[CRUSADER]

Re: Shriner's Token ?

looks like a key fob, date?

 

[kurtma12]

Re: Shriner's Token ?

There were a few Mornin Silas Hella items on ebay that no longer show up when you click on the link, and all of them were dated 1910. I just searched - "mornin silas" hella - and there were 4 results in Google to old ebay auctions.

Looking at the makers mark, it's curious that this one spells out mayer bros, instead of using their well known makers mark. This makes me believe it is either from very early in the company history, or around 1920. Some research showed that in 1920, Joseph and Marcus Mayer split the business and Marcus and Al Mayer continued the company.

Joseph Mayer & Brothers was established in 1895 by Albert, Joseph & Marcus Mayer. The company was incorporated in 1920 and at a later point became the Northern Stamping and Manufacturing Company. They were purchased by E. & J. Towle in 1945, which in turn became West Earth Incorporated in August of 1908. They are located in Seattle, Washington and manufacture sterling flatware and souvenir spoons.

I'm not sure about the hole on the bottom. Doesn't seem like it would hang upside down. Maybe it's a keyhole cover? I don't know

 

[CRUSADER]

Re: Shriner's Token ?

There were a few Mornin Silas Hella items on ebay that no longer show up when you click on the link, and all of them were dated 1910. I just searched - "mornin silas" hella - and there were 4 results in Google to old ebay auctions.

Looking at the makers mark, it's curious that this one spells out mayer bros, instead of using their well known makers mark. This makes me believe it is either from very early in the company history, or around 1920. Some research showed that in 1920, Joseph and Marcus Mayer split the business and Marcus and Al Mayer continued the company.

Joseph Mayer & Brothers was established in 1895 by Albert, Joseph & Marcus Mayer. The company was incorporated in 1920 and at a later point became the Northern Stamping and Manufacturing Company. They were purchased by E. & J. Towle in 1945, which in turn became West Earth Incorporated in August of 1908. They are located in Seattle, Washington and manufacture sterling flatware and souvenir spoons.

I'm not sure about the hole on the bottom. Doesn't seem like it would hang upside down. Maybe it's a keyhole cover? I don't know

It doesn't if the keys hang off the bottom of the loop!

 

[diggummup]

Re: Shriner's Token ?

It's a watch fob, here is another one like yours. The one on the right- http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache...pin&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

 

[72cheyenne]

Re: Shriner's Token ?

It's a watch fob, here is another one like yours. The one on the right- http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache...pin&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

Good job on finding the match diggum! I'll still stick with my guess of 1895-1920s guess on the date range.

 

[Bramblefind]

Re: Shriner's Token ?

I was able to look this up in the Dallas newspapers. In July 1912 they reported that the "Mornin Silas" slogan was chosen in anticipation of Dallas hosting the Shriner's convention in 1913.

Here is an advertisement from the May 8, 1913 Dallas Morning News

 

[BuckleBoy]

Re: Shriner's Token ?

Looks like I hit that nail on the head.

 

[Hill Billy]

Re: Shriner's Token ?

Great work diggummup, we can mark this one solved. Thanks for your help.
And thanks to the other's here that replied.

Billy