Hope this is the right forum. This little tray is 5 1/2" X 2" and marked Whitehead-Hoag and Newark, NJ on the back. Looks like brass or maybe copper or bronze - any thoughts? Was my grandfather's so may be early-ish 20th century. The medallion says B&S at the top and then "My Building Association Book". Curious if anyone knows what company this is advertising. The picture is a man with a single large curl on top of his head, big ears and prominent cheeks. He's wearing Turkish slippers and a shoulder bag. Book in right hand and some long, flowy thing in left hand. He's what has me most curious. Anyone know who he is or how to google him? Thanks for any tips!
Yes, probably early 20th century, here you can read about the companies history https://www.tedhake.com/viewuserdefinedpage.aspx?pn=whco
I'm so sorry - I did see that but was trying to balance getting close with getting blurry. Is there a way to do better with an iPhone?
Whitehead & Hoag made a variety of inexpensive advertising pieces, badges, and such on commission for other entities. "Building Association" is a term used in the construction trades and could refer to a non-profit organization meant to self regulate the local construction industry.
I'm thinking the use of "Building Association" here goes farther back than this type. I think it probably refers to what used to be called Building Associations OR Building & Loan Associations - pre-federally insured Savings & Loans... Mostly local, with everyone pooling their money to provide home mortgages and the like within the community. Think George Bailey and It's A Wonderful Life.