Valley Forge Whats it?

[djm of PA]

Valley Forge What's it?

Found this today, I"ve had people say it is a whistle, a pocket ashtray, a stamp dispenser. So, what do you guys think?

 

[jeff of pa]

View attachment 822160One more guess: I can't seem to get away from the idea that this item is smoking related. Could it have been something that held and dispensed cigarette rolling papers? I've not had a lot of time to search, but the one pictured gives a general idea of what I'm trying to show. Notice the slot? Realizing that the found one is much smaller, the papers may have been folded in half.

now that's a unique suggestion, I can't rule out for him.

As you can see it isn't much larger then 2 pennies though,
& I don't know what the size of a Zig Zag or tops paper is off hand.

When I smoked Cigarettes the roll your own Tobacco always came with a pack of papers,
but I always threw them out

 

[mical66]

i had another thought but have been away from the computer for a few days .
doing my research on valley forge items i seen that they had small photos almost stamp size . this item looks like a small version of a mail box , could it have had mini postcards or mini pictures in it ?

 

[djm of PA]

Thanks for all the ideas. I'm still awaiting a response from Valley Forge and also from Western&Eastern Treasures. Hopefully someone can shed some light on the mystery!

 

[djm of PA]

Response from W&E Treasures, hopefully they get a response with a positive ID!

Hi, Dennis—

I'm not sure, but my best guess is that your Valley Forge souvenir item may have been attached to a key ring, per the loop at the top. As for what it could have contained, well, I suppose almost anything... however, one possibility that comes to mind is penny matches. Judging from the photo with cents added for scale, the length of the item (minus the loop) would appear to be about 1-3/4", which also happens to be the length of a penny match. If that's what it held, there may be one or more surfaces which are textured to permit striking.


I found several listings for a tiny medallion/charm of the same "cannon" design, made by Bates & Klinke of Taunton, MA, a firm specializing in little metal souvenirs. However, no dates of manufacture or other details were provided. Shown below, it generally retails in the $10–20 range.

There was a 1957 Boy Scout jamboree held at Valley Forge, but I don't your find is related to it. Most of those souvenirs have an emblem depicting Washington kneeling in prayer, rather than the cannon shown on yours; and, of course, they also bear some sort of Scout insignia or related mark.


W&ET forwarded photos of your find to the Encampment Store (gift shop) at Valley Forge National Historical Park, to see if it's included in their existing or past inventories. When/if we hear anything from them, I'll write to you again with the details.


All the best,


Mark