✅ SOLVED Small Silver Pin of ghost-child with letters on its chest. Possibly early 20th centu

[bonepicker]

Dug this tiny item today in an area where we have been digging early 20th century coins, tokens, bottles, marbles, etc.
Its a construction site in the downtown area.

It came out black, and I'm working to remove the crud. I believe it is silver.
The clasp on the back looks early 20th century design.
It looks like a small child or ghost with pointy head, and there are letters engraved on its chest.
The letters look like DCK and a cross up top, or D I C K.

Any ideas what the letters are/mean, and what the ghost child is supposed to resemble or be.

I will try to add better pics when I get it cleaned up more.

Thanks

 

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[flinthunter]

Reminds me of a kewpie doll.

 

[AlienLifeForm]

Kewpie would be my guess.

 

[bonepicker]

I believe you guys are right.
I just got it a little cleaner and I see a sterling mark on the back.
Below that I see the word KEWPIE.

Thanks for the ID.

Any ideas what the letters on the front mean.

I have never heard of KEWPIE dolls.

 

[The_Piratess]

What a neat find! Kewpie Dolls were often given as prizes at fairs and carnivals. My guess is that the Kewpie pin was from a fair or carnival as well and the letters on it were initials of someone that had it engraved at the fair as it was done in free hand. They often would sell things that they would then engrave for free as an encouragement to buy their jewelry, charms, etc. It was very popular.

As for the origin of the Kewpie Doll itself, they were first produced in 1912 based on illustrations in the Ladies Home Journal in 1909 by Rose O'Neill. The actual dolls themselves were based on the sculpture by noted artist, Joseph Callus. First they were sold as dolls from various countries around the world. Later less expensive Kewpies were used as standard prizes at fairs and carnivals. All are very collectible.

 

[bonepicker]

What a neat find! Kewpie Dolls were often given as prizes at fairs and carnivals. My guess is that the Kewpie pin was from a fair or carnival as well and the letters on it were initials of someone that had it engraved at the fair as it was done in free hand. They often would sell things that they would then engrave for free as an encouragement to buy their jewelry, charms, etc. It was very popular.

As for the origin of the Kewpie Doll itself, they were first produced in 1912 based on illustrations in the Ladies Home Journal in 1909 by Rose O'Neill. The actual dolls themselves were based on the sculpture by noted artist, Joseph Callus. First they were sold as dolls from various countries around the world. Later less expensive Kewpies were used as standard prizes at fairs and carnivals. All are very collectible.

Thank you for the info.
Guess its time to mark this one solved.