Featured Umbrella and handles

I bought this sterling silver umbrella handle this weekend. I thought it was sterling when I saw it, but had no idea what it was. I google imaged it and there it was. Who knew? I never really thought about umbrella handles being a thing. Five dollars later and the handle was mine! I then had to decide what to do with my new nifty handle. For fun I thought about trying to attach it to my favorite, and only umbrella that I bought about 6 years ago at another sale. Honestly, I may have paid more for the umbrella than the handle, but probably not.


Anyways, I pulled out my only and favorite umbrella out of the closet. Here is a picture of it.



But because I now know that umbrella handles are a thing, I decided to look at its handle.



I’ve been mistreating this umbrella for years! I tried to scratch through the plating, but I believe it’s solid 14k. I’m flabbergasted!

Does anyone recognize the markings on either of the handles? What do you think is the age of the sterling handle?

Thanks as always!

 

I think you're right! SCORE! No idea whodunnit, but that's a sweet find.

 

Well now I'll be looking at all the umbrellas...

 

You lucky girl!

. Again, you lucky girl! And it is a beauty anyway, even if it were plated.

 

That’s what I told my husband! Not that there are many umbrellas around here. I maybe have use for it about 3 times a year if even that.

 

It looks good and holds up to strong winds! It’s a keeper for sure. The tag says it came from Uncle Sam’s Umbrella Shop. It was a umbrella and cane store in New York. From what I read it was where Charlie Chaplin got his cane. The store closed in the early 2000’s. Sound’s like it was a pretty neat store. I am wondering if the gold handle was original to the umbrella, or put on later?

 

I live with the Hurricanes and the wet, wet, wet seasons so they are vital here. I carry a purse sized one though. I have bought a bigger, cane handled one but it's modern and inexpensive. Still, I don't see many umbrellas at our thrifts and will have to take notice! These are amazing!

 

The umbrellas I see here are modern plastic.. I did score an old one with what may be a sterling handle, but only one once.

 

Wow, what a discovery on that 14K handle. Great adventure here!

 

Thank y’all so much!! I got the sterling handle polished and straightened. I think it looks fabulous!

 

Now it can sit somewhere and look pretty.

 

@anundverkaufen - Can you help with this one?

 

Great looking handle.. and great umbrella ’discovery’

Wow,Charlie Chaplin.. yes must have been a cool store

 

Agreed,starting tomorrow Another thing I never considered or thought about

 

Just ran across this post. Your gold handle was made by Gorham, the 'U' prefix on the production number was put in use for umbrellas in 1898, most likely out of use around 1907 or just a bit later, the 'X' used with numbers indicates regular gold production (used with letters rather than numbers indicated special order gold production).

Not seeing a maker's mark on the sterling handle, the '925-over-1000 FINE' stamp was used by more than one manufacturer, it's most likely late 19th-early 20th century, the decoration was produced by an acid-etching technique.

From Rainwater's 'Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers, 4th Edition':




~Cheryl

 

I knew parasol handles were a thing. They tend to be rather delicate. Your silver handle looks sturdier.

Uncle Sam's was the place to get an umbrella, if you wanted one that could stand up to the weather better than those sold in Chinatown & by street vendors. We get hurricane/tropical storm remnants that can be quite challenging. They had a huge selection in a range of prices. Not sure they still sold canes when I was there in the 1970s.

 

Thank you! That’s wonderful information!