Antique Blackberry Sterling Silver Souvenir Thimble

Cramond Brig, Scotland * Hallmarked 1904

This sterling silver thimble has a ring of leaves above the band with rows of blackberry punches making up the knurling. More decorate the top. The band has the English sterling hallmarks for Birmingham 1904 and the maker's mark for James Fenton.

The condition is excellent, crisp and in round and no holes, dents or other damage. It's about an American size 9 (15.5 mm in diameter). The band is engraved "Cramond Brig". This is a high bridge across a steep valley containing the River Almond, near Edinburgh, Scotland.* This thimble must have been a souvenir. Similar blackberry thimbles are shown on p. 194 (fig. 9) of William & Magdalena Isbister's book More About Thimbles Vol 1 along with an excellent chapter on Blackberry Thimbles (available in my eBay store).

* The story goes that in 1532 King James V of Scotland was traveling through the area and was attacked by robbers as he crossed the Cramond Brig (bridge). A local man helped run them off and took the king home, where he provided water and a towel for him to clean his face and recover himself. He didn't realize it was the king he was helping and was later much rewarded. Sir Walter Scott wrote a version of this tale in his book, Tales of a Grandfather.

Despite the name, this organization is for people who collect needlework tools And thimbles. It's the largest collector's group in the world focusing on these wonderful little pieces of history.

The membership benefits are outstanding. They have a convention every two years where you'll have a chance to attend great programs and meet others sharing your interests. You will receive an excellent quarterly magazine, the "Bulletin". The member's sections of the website have dozens of research articles, hundreds of fake and repro items to beware of and price guides. There is also a chat room where you can ask questions and get expert feedback about your collection. Check them out today at thimblecollectors dot com.