olderrose: Mystery Needle Case

4/24/2014

Mystery Needle Case

This is a mystery hussif of sorts. It has pins, needles, buttons and thread and is probably at least 100 years old. I would love to know more of its history

At the top of the interior flap is "Kirby Beard & Co" which when I Googled it found that it was a general manufacturing company in England during the 1800s which did indeed make all kinds of sewing supplies...everything from pins and needles to sewing machines. They also made many other things as well.

The pocket at the bottom has two spools of thread....one black and one white... The buttons have 4 holes and are also black or white. The wording on the buttons says "BEST RING EDGE." Because the whole thing is so sturdy I suspect it may have been for a man....maybe military or explorer...just a guess.

It all rolls up into a tidy package secured by a leather strap. The leather is in remarkably good shape considering how old it must be.

Has anyone seen anything like it? I was hoping the unusual buttons might be a clue..

6 comments:

Marilyn said...: That is really neat. I've seen those types of buttons in odd lots from garage sales and thrift shops but I don't know anything about them. I love old things so I hope you share if you find out any more about the kit.; April 24, 2014 at 8:33 AM
margaret said...: sorry can`t help but I do admire it, very nice and the leather still looks perfect. very unusual buttons, hope you can find more info , age etc; April 24, 2014 at 10:57 PM
Connie said...: Gerry - This is a really nice item you have here. Have you had it for a while? I found some information for you, but I can't vouch for it's reliability. (-; Here is an article about the buttons. They think they date to around 1905-6. http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/GENANZ/2003-11/1068466334
According to this article (http://www.gsia.org.uk/reprints/2005/gi200504.pdf) the Kirby Beard Co. existed before 1853 and the name survived into mid 1900s. That's all I could find - there was no sewing kit online (that I could find) that compares to it in style or quality.; April 25, 2014 at 5:18 AM
LoriF said...: What a great find! Can't help at all, but would also love to hear if you find a solution to your mystery. :-); April 25, 2014 at 6:41 AM
Suztats said...: It's a mystery to me, but how fabulous!; April 25, 2014 at 2:36 PM
Mandy Currie said...: Gerry, I agree with you and think this belonged to a man, probably military. Ladies sewing were more the solid box type. It would be interesting to find out specific information about it though.; April 25, 2014 at 4:35 PM

Button painting tutorial

4/24/2014

Mystery Needle Case

6 comments:

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