| |
19th Century Brass Engraving
This brass disk, marked 1879, is about 1.7" (43mm) in diameter. It was possibly a sample piece used to demonstrate engraving ability, perhaps for a client. The work piece size and lettering suggest it was related to pocket watches. The two sides are quite different. One side has some extraordinary lettering in a variety of styles including the repeated name, “Elgin Nat’l Watch Co.”.
Some of this script is wonderfully unique. The upper case letters are about 0.12" (3mm) high, the lower case are about half that. The other side has some borders and scroll patterns. Under a microscope, the work is clearly superb. When one considers that the engraver undoubtedly had no microscope to use, the quality is incredible.
We hope you enjoy this fantastic work from an engraver we will, unfortunately, never know. Many of us believe that in that time period (the late 1800’s) a higher percentage of ordinary people had something hand engraved than the people of today. OK, engravers, let’s get to work and change that statistic!
|
|
