Hi Rachel,
I would also support Mick's hypothesis about this pin being an item
given to a shipyard worker in recognition for his work in some aspect of
ship production for the US government. I have heard lots of anecdotal
evidence, if not much in the way of written documentation, that pins
like this and other little trinkets were given to shipyard workers in
this neck of the woods.
For some context, the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company was contracted to
produce 28 WWII submarines along with LCTs and other naval vessels, and
I've seen several pins (both in our collection and in private hands)
that are similar to the one your patron described. (though most of ours
have submarines on them since that's what was most prominently produced
here) The pin was most likely produced and awarded by the shipbuilding
company itself, rather than the Navy or government.
You might want to try to determine what kind of vessel is featured on
the pin to find out more about what type of work the shipyard worker who
received it might have done.
In short, I would say the pin being a recognition piece is a fairly safe
assumption. Did the patron's father work in the shipbuilding industry?
Good luck!
Cristin J. Waterbury
Registrar/Collections Manager
Wisconsin Maritime Museum
Manitowoc, WI
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Mark Janzen
Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2005 11:39 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Question about a pin
Rachel,
According to Google, the Cape Fear Museum has one that is almost
identical
to your description(1979.046.0034), although theirs is on an anchor.
Unfortunately the site does not come up. Perhaps contacting them would
be
in order 910-341-4350, I believe. They may be currently sans a
registrar,
as I saw a listing for that position recently.
I see one on ebay too, like yours but with little description. There are
multiple versions, so I suspect Mick is right; it was something given to
people who served during the wars in the shipbuilding industry. A
service
medal of some kind, or perhaps a recognition pin for years of service.
Very cool material culture. Please let us know what you find out.
Mark Janzen
Registrar/Collections Manager
Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art
Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection
Wichita State University
(316)978-5850
Rachel Roberts
<rachel@DALLASHIS
TORY.ORG>
To
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SE.LSOFT.COM>
Subject
Question about a pin
04/26/2005 09:48
AM
Please respond to
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<[log in to unmask]
SE.LSOFT.COM>
Good morning, listserv-ers! We recently received the following inquiry:
"I have a pin, I think it is bronze, it is the size of a silver dollar,
a
flag shield with thirteen stars are at the top of this pin, and around
the
pin it says War Service, Ship Building, in the center there is a ship,
with
smoke coming out its stack, and poles and lines, like maybe it could be
sailed, the imprint of the water is underneath the ship. This is
imprinted
into the center of the pin. On the back is a # 59941. and of course you
can
see the imprint of everything else on the back of the pin from the
front.
And of course the clasp."
Does anyone out there have any suggestions for this patron? The pin
belonged to her father, who has passed away, and he didn't know anything
about the item.
Rachel Roberts
Dallas Historical Society
[log in to unmask]
214.421.4500 ext. 110
P. O. Box 150038
Dallas, TX 75315-0038
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