Featured My Card, Sir!...And the case to go with it :P

Chester, 1904. Sterling Silver.

I've wanted one of these for months. But they're HIDEOUSLY EXPENSIVE.

I finally found this one, which was half price. It was on the upper end of what I'd pay, but I considered it a good purchase and call it an early birthday present, and swear off more expensive purchases for the next few months.

I've wanted to be a writer ever since I was 6. And when I showed serious interest in it starting after highschool, my dad said that I should get some calling cards made. That's what got me interested in wanting a card-case. I only started seriously thinking about card cases this year, though. I never thought I'd own one, until I saw this for 50% off!

 

Very nice! And Happy Early Birthday to you.

 

davey, I thought it looked like a Vesta, too. Nice thing.

 

Definitely not a vesta-case. It even came with the original calling-cards inside it. It's about the size of an iPhone (about 1cm shorter), and about 1/2cm wider.

And yes, I intend to use it. I've already put my press card inside it

As I'm the editor of an antiques magazine and a history magazine, what else could possibly look better?

"Who are you, son?"

*takes out silver card-case*
*pops it open*

"My card, sir..."

 

Lovely case!

 

In case people aren't convinced (and I'm not sure that I really blame you), here's some better photos. The card being used for scale-purposes is my official press-card. It's the same size as an ordinary credit-card.

 

Absolutely not a vesta-case. No striker-plate anywhere on it. And far too large, anyway. I've seen thousands of vesta-cases in person and in pictures. I know one when I see it. It's a card case.

I've been after one of these for about six months. But the prices are PROHIBITIVE. $400-$700 is what they go for, here.

I got this case from a lady antiques dealer I'm friendly with. She sliced the price in half and let me have it for $200. AND it's in PERFECT condition. No dents or anything.

 

If the doubting Thomases need more proof that it is what I already know what it is, then I trust everyone here knows how big a ZIPPO lighter is.

 

I honestly had no choice. There is absolutely NO WAY I could afford one at what most of them go for around here (about $400-$700). Silver it might be, but it ain't THAT special! I've purchased sterling silver pieces for PEANUTS in the past, and I wasn't about to stop now.

I saw no reason to spend double or triple or even QUADRUPLE the price for something that isn't worth it, and which nobody else is ever going to buy, or use, anyway!

Today I went into the shop and I saw the lady. By pure chance she had this for sale. We have some history together (I've bought some stuff from her in the past, for my restoration-projects) so she knows who I am. That helped with the negotiations and slicing the price, literally, in half, to something I could justify...just!

There was another silver case which was 15 dollars cheaper, but it wasn't the right size (too small), and therefore not worth considering. Another one was $20 more expensive, but the catch was broken, so it wouldn't close. Another was $40 more expensive and they didn't want to haggle. So this one was the one which won in the end!

 

Whoa doggies, that case would swallow up the calling card I found which dates from the 1840s to the 1850s. That foreign (British) diplomat's card measures only 3" x 1-1/2" -- just goes to show the difference in a "business" card and a "calling" card.

 

Shangas - I love your scenario! Presentation is all! And that thing is just lovely and fits your needs perfectly.

(As in, if I am wearing my Jimmy Choo shoes, no one would imagine that I bought the dress at the thrift shop for nine dollars. LOL!)

 

Calling cards and business-cards changed sizes over the years. It used to be that they were entirely separate entities, but gradually, one turned into the other, and they kind of melded together.

Sizes and styles varied significantly through time. The calling cards which belonged to my grandfather are actually bigger than my own card, by about a quarter-inch or so. Other cards I've seen are tiny...it really depends on when they were made, and for what purpose.

Most card-cases I've seen which are antique and silver, are of the size shown in this post. I did see one other one which was significantly smaller, and a card-case. And I wanted to buy it, but as it was too small to be practical, I changed my mind.

 

Interesting indeed. 19th C calling AND business cards here were far smaller than modern ones. I have some of my great grandfathers.

I've seen cases of this size and age sold as cheroot holders over here.

As an aside and comment on markets, a pretty Vesta of a similar design sold for $30 at our local auction on Tuesday.

 

It's a beauty, enjoy it!

 

It really is a lovely case. At that size it could sustain a single tasteful monogram on its face.

 

Vesta-cases are pretty cheap. Sadly they're not that practical anymore. I considered buying one as a present for my mother, to keep her toothpicks in, but...it never panned out.

The panel on the front (and the identical one on the back) are both bare. Which is very nice. Nobody ever engraved it. The repousse has no denting or damage...I've polished it and cleaned it...dried it off...and it gleams wonderfully. It's basically in mint condition.