Thought It Was A Lipstick Case Until I Opened It

[Metal Magnet]

Went back to a place that dates to early 1800s. As you can see from the pic, found some neat lead shot. Also found what I thought was a lipstick case, pretty deep. The container is copper. I opened it to see if it was indeed a lipstick case. I had to pierce it to open it. Once I did, I realized that it seems like it wasn't supposed to be opened It was sealed and copper. Inside I found a piece of folded paper, as you can see. I slowly unfolded it, but it has no writing on it. The paper has lines in it, I'm thinking older paper? I really have no clue what this is. The top inside has 2 holes. Again, no idea. It had some liquid in it, but it does not smell.

Any ideas?

 

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[SODABOTTLEBOB]

~ Clue or Clueless? ~

Please don't think I'm stuck on needle cases, because I'm not. But when something jumps out at me that "might" explain the holes inside the lid, I just gotta consider it. Take for example the needle case shown below and the tiny sissors "attached" to the inner cap. I say "inner" cap because it goes onto the thread spool deal, and then the whole thing goes inside of the outer case with the thimble lid. My point being, is it possible that the holes in Metal Magnet's item were intened for the insertion of a little pair of sissors like that? I will even answer my own question by saying, sure its "possible," but it isn't proof positive that that's what M&M's item is. But can you blame me for trying? Besides, it actually "might" be a clue. Surely those little holes in the lid served a puropse of some kind.

Later alligators!

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[Bigcypresshunter]

~ Clue or Clueless? ~

Please don't think I'm stuck on needle cases, because I'm not. But when something jumps out at me that "might" explain the holes inside the lid, I just gotta consider it. Take for example the needle case shown below and the tiny sissors "attached" to the inner cap. I say "inner" cap because it goes onto the thread spool deal, and then the whole thing goes inside of the outer case with the thimble lid. My point being, is it possible that the holes in Metal Magnet's item were intened for the insertion of a little pair of sissors like that? I will even answer my own question by saying, sure its "possible," but it isn't proof positive that that's what M&M's item is. But can you blame me for trying? Besides, it actually "might" be a clue. Surely those little holes in the lid served a puropse of some kind.

Later alligators!

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Tiny scissors. Makes sense. Is there room for tiny scissors and needles? Maybe the other hole was for one needle. Is the item as large as a thimble?

Its looking more like a needle case but someone took a lot of time to fold up a paper. It wasnt just crammed in there. The paper must have had some importance. The writing may have dissapeared over time.

Ill concede to the needle case used later to hold a paper of some unknown importance. Whos to say it wasnt tied to a pigeon by a practical pigeon fancier?

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

~ One clue leads to another ~

And it will likely be the right clue, whatever it may be, that will eventually solve this thing. Thus, my reason for my sharing the following picture of a minature tool kit. I realize the one shown is out of the question, but its the "clue" part I'm talking about. There are dozens if not hundreds of such kits just waiting to be examined. Could one of them be our mystery item?

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Maybe the little holes in the lid of our mystery item were intended for minature bits.

Mystery lid should be close to actual size.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

~ One clue leads to another ~

And it will likely be the right clue, whatever it may be, that will eventually solve this thing. Thus, my reason for my sharing the following picture of a minature tool kit. I realize the one shown is out of the question, but its the "clue" part I'm talking about. There are dozens if not hundreds of such kits just waiting to be examined. Could one of them be our mystery item?

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Maybe the little holes in the lid of our mystery item were intended for minature bits.

I have a kit just like the one pictured. The wood screwdriver handle is larger to grip in your hand. Not tool kit. Its also open on one end to insert the bits.

I think you already solved it. The tiny scissors did it for me. Im just waiting to see if a needle will fit.

 

[Metal Magnet]

thanks everyone! the outside length is exactly 1.5 inches long.

as for how the paper didn't disintegrate. the only explanation i think is that it was sealed. it was only when i punctured it that the liquid came out. i think that is the only reason it didn't oxidize away.

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Please be reminded that I'm groping at straws here. But I kinda like the looks of this little pair of sissors that came with another one of those tube-type sewing kits. Notice the handle part goes in one so called hole and the spring part goes into another so called hole.(sort of). And could this explain the "two" different sized holes inside the cap of our mystery item?

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Shown larger than actual size of approximately 1 3/4" inches.

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

M & M ~

I want to grab you before you get away. What did you come up with on the magnet test?

Thanks.

Bob

 

[Metal Magnet]

negative response to a neodynium magnet. thanks!

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

M & M ~

A neo ... what? And does that mean the magnet stuck or didn't stick? Lol Just kidding. But actually I've never heard of a neodymium magnet before and had to look it up ...

A neodymium magnet (also known as NdFeB, NIB, or Neo magnet), the most widely-used type of rare-earth magnet, is a permanent magnet made from an alloy of neodymium, iron, and boron to form the Nd2Fe14B tetragonal crystalline structure. Developed in 1982 by General Motors and Sumitomo Special Metals, neodymium magnets are the strongest type of permanent magnet made. They have replaced other types of magnet in the many applications in modern products that require strong permanent magnets, such as motors in cordless tools, hard disk drives, and magnetic fasteners.

Anyhoo ... the main reason I wanted to know about the magnet is so I could eliminate about a jillion items from my search mode ... which mainly includes tin items because I was getting a little too involved with that kind of stuff. But I'm back on track again and intend to continue my search for ....

I'll let you know how that sentence ends when I know myself.

Gracias'

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[Bigcypresshunter]

thanks everyone! the outside length is exactly 1.5 inches long.

My needles are longer and would not fit but maybe it was for small needles or pins. Bob has me convinced it once held tiny scissors.

 

[Metal Magnet]

I'm going to mark this as solved as I think the needle/pin idea is probably the best one. Thanks to everyone for pitching in on the effort - it is greatly appreciated!

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

~ If ~

If this was a television program called "What Is It?"

and ...

If the prize for guessing correctly was $100,000.00

and ...

If I only had 30 seconds to enter my guess based on the following pictures.

My guess would be ...

"Vintage Pocket Size Sewing Needle Kit"

(But this is only a guess ~ And because I only had 30 seconds to enter it)



SODABOTTLEBOB

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

And for the curious among us (myself included) who are still wondering about the paper ...

Maybe ... just maybe the person who owned the item was French.

and ...

Maybe ... just maybe they used the item for a ...

"Billet Doux Etui"

http://www.rubylane.com/item/135488-111moptube/Antique-French-1700s-10k-Gold


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Fre...-Doux-Etui-Hand-Painted-Figures-/270874221857

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Metal Magnet ~

I realize you Green checked this thread as solved. However, I feel compelled to share this additional picture to let everyone know that not all of those so called pocket-size sewing kits were fancy. Some were plain-janes like the one shown below. This is the best one I have seen in design that comes the closest to matching the one you found. Thus, my reason for sharing it.

Thanks to everyone who participated and took an interest in this topic. It was a great deal of fun for me personally ... even if it is (as Silver Searcher hinted at) only 75% identified.

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