Posted By:
MarkThanks Brock...
Regarding the Shafer Vater piece, I should know the answer, but am drawing a blank. It could be a toothpick or pencil holder, but for some reason I think it is smoking-related. Since these turn up so infrequently, it has literally been years since I saw one properly described.
REA had quite a few of these about 3 years ago... although perhaps not this exact type. When I have time, I'll try to reference their catalogue descriptions. In the mean time, if anyone else knows what purpose this piece originally served, please advise! The big mouth had to serve as an opening for something specific.
Edited... I just checked REA, and I think this is a Match-stick Holder. While REA never featured an example quite like this, most of the Shafer-Vater Base-Ball items were smoking related (ashtrays, match strikers, etc.) So this is my best guess.