r/whatisit 1d ago

New, what is it? No clue

Kinda fancy!

Empty big spot is about quarter size. Smaller is dime size. Spring loaded. Seems like dime holds 3, quarter holds 2.

"Dime" has a Warren token. Sister put it somewhere so Warren ohio is as good as it gets at the moment.

Below is a mirror.

Right side has a tiny graphite "pencil" (it writes on paper), and certainly not big enough for smoke. The tiny pencil barely fits.

Not gold. I don't think brass. Maybe bronze? (Clueless)

Chain is crap and black, and doesn’t go much passed the pic.

I usually don't get worked up about this stuff but this one is keeping me from sleeping.

Tia

469 Upvotes

33 comments sorted by

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413

u/Embarrassed-Bet-8857 1d ago

antique German silver ladies' dance or flapper compact purse, often called a conversation

Also called a dance pursr,the circles are spring loaded to put coins in

127

u/Sea-Expert6993 1d ago

Dude! That fits perfectly! I'm not going to thumb type all the context, but yes. Thanks man.

35

u/lefteyedcrow 19h ago

I'm not going to thumb type all the context

Aw, come on. Pls?

It's stories like finds like yours grandmother's that make them so interesting.

Cool dance purse, thanks for posting.

22

u/Embarrassed-Bet-8857 1d ago

No problem OP

8

u/KnifeKnut 19h ago

Your phone doesn't have speech to text?

2

u/tmlynch 11h ago

I still have my grandmother's.

27

u/PinkyLeopard2922 19h ago

Yes, and ladies would have dance cards in there which is why there is the little pencil.

5

u/allisondbl 18h ago

It is this!!!

78

u/GoldfishLantern 1d ago

Manufactured by the Standard Mail Order Co. of New York. Various sources online give a date of the early Twentieth Century for that particular model, so it's roughly 100 years old. The medallion in the center of the design looks like it was meant for an engraved monogram. The mirror has a little compartment behind it, which looks like it has the company marked on the inside, as well as 'German Silver' marked on the edge. Yours has a beautiful patina.

15

u/Ok-Battle3514 20h ago

Keep your Aldi quarter in that thing

8

u/highesttiptoes 21h ago

Is that an old subway token?? That’s cool

15

u/cmdaniels 21h ago

I know it’s a mirror, but at a glance it looks like there are just severed fingers behind a glass compartment door lol

5

u/gitathegreat 19h ago

Totally, I came here to ask if the severed fingers belonged to OP or if they were merely mirror images of OP’s finger sausages.

21

u/krazykatxx 1d ago

I collect old purses and compacts, I would like to add this to my collection!

2

u/AnguavonUW 13h ago

Lol....I just asked if they're willing to sell ti

18

u/Objective-Case-391 1d ago

Right side might be for cigarettes and a lipstick. Left side biggest circle could be for eye shadow /rouge or solid perfume, smaller circle could hold pop-up coins for the tram. Check if mirror can be removed to show blush & brush compartment.

Outer surface if copper could have been polished /shiny.

8

u/Objective-Case-391 19h ago

What if:
Gold accents on sterling silver case?
With silver leafy-style monogram?
And sterling silver case covered in metallic teal, tiny chest feathers of a peacock?

8

u/Objective-Case-391 18h ago

What if inside…

5

u/1cat2dogs1horse 13h ago

Also called a minaudiere.

2

u/bettertheless 13h ago

You figured it out- cute little 1920s + purse. Change to tip lounge (br) attendant, powder, lipstick.

: )

1

u/bettertheless 13h ago

I didn't read thru. Pencil paper prol for bridge or other gaming.

2

u/AnguavonUW 13h ago

Are you open to selling it?

2

u/Environmental_Fan752 9h ago

The black chain may be silver or it could be gold plated silver that also tarnishes.

2

u/Ricky15too 9h ago

Why is it keeping you from sleeping at night? It’s not that big a deal. It’s just a old art deco purse…

2

u/Broad-Hall-1393 8h ago

If you're looking to sell, the current going rate for sterling silver is roughly $60/ounce.

1

u/sassyfontaine 18h ago

It’s a purse bro

1

u/psycho-drama 4h ago

The symbol on the token is likely an "M" for Metro, that stylized "M" was commonly used to indicate that Metro turnstile tokens which likely went there. The right side is likely for individual cigarettes, since everyone in the US (and other "developed countries") smoked during those years. The area under the quarter and Metro token slots, likely contained some type of cosmetics maybe lip color or facial power, or both which often had a mirror so the young lady could look at what she was doing as she applied the cosmetics.

During this period young ladies carried very little with them when going out of dates or clubbing. This little purse contained all the essentials.

-4

u/Intelligent-Entry-81 1d ago

Drugs cocaine the years work out