1920s Richard Hudnut perfume set

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT WILL TURN UP AT GARAGE SALES. ONE EXAMPLE IS THIS RARE COMPLETE SET OF RICHARD HUDNUT TALCUM, TOILET WATER AND  PERFUME GLASS/CRYSTAL BOTTLES WITH STOPPERS IN THE ORIGINAL 1920S  CARDBOARD/PAPER PRESENTATION BOX.  THE BOTTLES REST ON GOLD CLOTH  WITHIN THE BOX DRAWER. THERE IS SOME DAMAGE TO THE TOP LEFT PORTION  OF THE BOX WHERE SOME MISCREANT RIPPED A PIECE OF TAPE.  OVERALL,  THOUGH, THE BOX AND CONTENTS ARE IN REMARKABLE  CONDITION FOR THEIR  AGE.

WHO WAS W. H. HUTCHINSON?

This little 1 1/4" lead token was found during a hunt earlier in the week on a ridge where several Confederate artifacts were found. In my searching of the internet I found that a Charles Hutchinson was apparently the inventor of the "Hutchinson" style stopper for soda bottles in 1879. W. H. Hutchinson, Charles ancestor, however, who died in 1879, was in the bottling business prior to and after the Civil War. This "washer" was part of one of Charles early soda pop bottle stoppers, and the source of the name given those soda pop bottles today - the Hutchinson's.

Strangely, I was led astray early in my search for the identity of the item when I found that a W. H. Hutchinson was a soldier who fought here in Vicksburg during the siege:

William served in the Civil War from May 1861 to June 1864. He enlisted on May 29, 1861 as a private and mustered into Company K, 17th Illinois Infantry. On the Muster Roll William was described has having black hair, brown eyes, a married blacksmith living at Bath, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (conflicts with other data). He served in this unit for three years. He then served in the 144th Illinois Infantry for an additional nine months.

William’s 17th Infantry unit saw service in the following battles:

•   Battle at Frederickstown, Missouri on 21 October 1861

•   Battle at Fort Donelson, Tennessee on 13 February 1862

•   Battle at Fort Donelson, Tennessee on 15 February 1862

•   Battle at Shiloh, Tennessee on 06 April 1862

•   Battle at Vicksburg, Mississippi on 22 May 1863

•   Battle at Vicksburg, Mississippi on 27 May 1863

•   Battle at Vicksburg, Mississippi on 28 May 1863

•   Battle at Vicksburg, Mississippi on 04 June 1863

•   Battle at Vicksburg, Mississippi on 25 July 1863

•   Battle on 05 February 1864

GAINING PERMISSION TO HUNT RELICS

I received an email from a gentleman detailing problems he had had with a landowner who had given him verbal permission to hunt relics with a metal detector on his property. Once the relic hunter began unearthing bullets and buttons that had been dropped by soldiers during the War, the landowner decided to terminate the digger's right to hunt. There's wasn't a lot he could do about the property owner's decision, nor did he desire to take any action. After all, the relics on the property rightfully belonged to the owner of the land. That the owner went back on his word is little justification for anger or vengefulness.

Verbal agreements carry little weight in court. Written agreements are more enforceable - and they offer some protection to the landowner as well as the digger. In my book "How to Hunt Treasure" there is a very simple sample form similar to what I have used in the past to forge an agreement with a landowner for the purpose of hunting relics. To quote the book:

"For the purpose of gaining written permission to hunt property, or to lease it for the purpose of hunting relics, you may wish to consider the following forms. In no way should they be considered legal documents that protect both owner and lessee/permittee from liability for injury or death; they are merely forms I have used as simple contracts between me and the owners of property that I wish to hunt. The provisions may be modified as desired.

"A word to the wise, though. Some property owners turn squeamish when asked to furnish permission to hunt in writing, and may even retract an earlier consent. It’s been my practice, then, regardless of the legalities involved, to proceed to hunt property for which I have only verbal permission. Sure, it’s better to have it in writing. In fact, I believe some states require it. In the end, you’ll have to use your own judgment."

Sample Permit to Hunt Relics

Date: ___________________________

I, _________________________________________, owner of property (Owner) hereafter described ______________________________________________________________ give this date permission to _______________________________________________(Permittee) to locate and dig relics thereon. This permission extends to _________________________ (date).By signature below, Permittee agrees that 1) Property owner is not liable for injury or death, loss of property, or for any other misfortune that occurs as a result of Permittee’s use of the property. 2) Property and structures or vegetation thereon will in no way be injured. No holes will be left. Property will be left in as good or better condition as found. 3) Other provisions: ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________.

Owner _____________________________

Permittee ___________________________

Sample Lease Agreement

Date: ___________________________

I, _________________________________________, (Owner) for the sum of $ __________do hereby lease the following property ______________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________for these dates:  From _____________ To _____________ to _______________________________________________ (Lessee) for the purpose of locating and digging relics. By signature below, Lessee agrees that 1) Owner is not liable for injury or death, loss of property, or for any other misfortune that occurs as a result of Lessee’s use of the property. 2) Property and structures or vegetation thereon will in no way be injured. No holes will be left. Property will be left in as good or better condition as found. 3) Other provisions: ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________.

Owner _____________________________

Lessee _____________________________

I am of the opinion that the latter form, where a sum of money changes hands, would better ensure a hunter's rights. It's a contract that would probably be legally recognized. However, were I confronted with a landowner determined to remove me from his property, despite any written agreement I would walk away.

It’s not very often nowadays that one is lucky enough to dig a Confederate buckle. But luck was with me today (November 27, 2012). I might have missed it if my hunting buddy hadn’t been right beside me.

We were digging a hole behind Confederate siege lines here in Vicksburg and finding ration cans, a few bullets and buttons, and lots of junk. I was also using a metal detector to scan the area. While my buddy was taking his turn at digging, I got a nice signal right beside his hole. While I was shoveling the dirt from that area he asked me to rescan his hole. I did. I got a large signal, which led to the two of us digging more junk and ration cans. In the process, I forgot all about the other signal. I had picked up my metal detector, prepared to go back to work, when my buddy said, “Hey, what’s that thing behind your boot?” As he bent to retrieve it I saw that the object was oval and green. We gritted our teeth in anticipation as he slowly flipped the oval to expose the “CS.” We practically howled with joy. We were lucky. If my buddy hadn’t noticed the relic in the small pile of dirt I had shoveled aside, we might have left it.

 

The buckle is not error free. One hook is missing, and there is a small crack (see photos) that runs from the top of the “C” downward about ¾”. It has a slight bow, probably from being worn. Otherwise it’s okay. It has been only very lightly cleaned so as to retain the original patina (and dirt).

TREASURE? OR JUNK? BY THE BATCH

I love it when someone brings in a batch of "junk" like that shown. Most of the "junk" is Civil War related, having been gleaned from the battlefield over at Big Black River battle site, but there is also some obvious WWII ammo and other trinkets. It will take a while to go through everything, but there's sure to be a little treasure or two amongst all the "junk."

SELMA ALABAMA ARSENAL 6-POUNDER CANNON BALL

Selma Alabama was home to a Confederate foundry during the late War for Southern Independence that manufactured artillery and small arm ammunition for the Confederate patriots. The six-pounder cannon ball shown above, dug here in Vicksburg, is one such example. Much of the Selma-manufactured ammunition was stamped with a small "G," or a horseshoe-shaped imprint, such as that shown in the closeup photo below. The imprint is more common on larger artillery shells, particularly on the brass portions of sabots, than on the lowly six-pounders. The example shown is the only one of which I am aware that was dug locally.

CAST IRON AUNT JEMIMA

Aunt Jemima wouldn't be too happy if she were around to inspect this old cast iron rendition. But collectors are just the opposite. All that wear and deterioration with age might as well be magnetic for the effect it has on them. Sure, it would be great if she were prettier, but the one thing that she does have is authenticity - her condition verifies it, and that means more than a pretty face produced in China. See her on the second floor.

DICE CUP/THROWER = TREASURE?

Maybe I'm crazy, but I love to find truly old items like this ancient leather dice thrower, or cup. This one could have been made prior to the War for Southern Independence, and for my money is definitely a small treasure. I believe the stitching is by hand - note the irregularity of the stitches. The leather is aged, oily and dirty. One has to wonder about the who, what and where of an item like this. If only it could talk...

I believe I would have added this little treasure to my book if I had had it back when I wrote it.

CANADIAN SILVER

Lately I have bought a few Canadian coins that have been in the possession of locals who acquired them during vacations or business trips. Though the USA ceased minting silver coins for circulation with the 1964 issue (though 40% silver halves were minted through 1970), Canada continued to produce and circulate its 80% silver coins through 1967, and even produced 50% silver coins in 1967-68. When considering buying or selling Canadian coins, it's advisable to check dates and issue to be sure you are aware of silver content. The 1965 Canadian dollar shown here (and the 1966) is composed of 80% silver and 20% copper, but those of 1967 may be only 50% silver.

1821 ENGLISH INDENTURE ON VELLUM

I located another interesting old artifact this past week... a huge (31 1/2" X 25") 1821 Deed, or Indenture, beautifully handwritten on very heavy (sheepskin?) vellum. It concerns a property transfer between Joseph Moorhouse of County York and Ann Goldthorpe of County Spinster. It features a blue revenue stamp and Joseph Moorhouse's red wax seal. This type of document is regularly offered on eBay, where they bring anywhere from $20 on up to several hundred dollars.

RARE INSULATOR

I recently came across a "bottle" that was different - see the photo - from anything I'd ever seen. It was dark green, 4" long, and very heavy - not the type of bottle that one would use for a drink of water. I began trying to identify the strange "bottle" that had bumps along its sides. It dawned on me after a while that the "bottle" might actually be an insulator, though I had never seen one like it before. Fortunately, I had a book on insulators. After a bit of investigation, I found it - a very rare threadless pintype insulator with the designation "CD723." I decided to place it on eBay with a starting bid of $100.00. As of today, the bid has risen to over $200.00. It pays to have a library of reference books, for if I had not had the insulator ID guide, I probably would have placed the "bottle" in the shop with a price tag of $2.00.

I've got a partial list of reference books you might want to consider in my publication "How to Hunt Treasure" should you decide that you, too, might want to begin to build your own library of reference books. If further assistance is needed, feel free to email me at 717antiques@gmail.com.