Feel like screaming into the void?
Have anxiety levels well above any sane individual?
Enjoy playing dead?
Are you cuter than you think you are?
If so, you may want this delightful representation of your spirit animal.
A beautiful three-dimensional silver model of a possum/opossum, with brooch fittings. Originally made as part of the very short-lived ‘Billy Possum’ phenomenon created around the ‘Possums and Taters’ banquet held for incoming US President William Howard Taft by the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, which inspired a political cartoon in January 1909 suggesting that the teddy bear had met it’s match. Sadly this never came to pass and the possum craze was over before it began.
Maker:
Arthur Johnson Smith, known for making silver novelties such as pincushions and jewellery featuring unusual animals and novel products of the day. This particular design is extremely rare with no other known examples currently available for purchase.
Marks:
Hallmarks for Chester, 1909.
Materials:
Silver
Date:
Edwardian, 1909.
Length:
3.2cms.
Condition:
General tarnish. Pin hinge slightly loose.
By clicking to ‘Purchase’ you agree to having read the Important Information for Purchasers.
Our primary concern is that you are pleased with your purchase. Please feel free to ask as many questions as you like about a product before clicking purchase. We appreciate patina and the ‘age’ that older pieces acquire, because of this we do not polish pieces to strip away the age (though your local jeweller may be willing to do this for you for a small fee). Secondhand, vintage and antique pieces will naturally show scratches and small marks, these will often appear more noticeable in the enlarged images that we have made available for you. Our images are as realistic as they can be. Although any appreciable defects/damages will be mentioned please do inspect the images as they do form a part of the condition report.
Antique items may longer not be suitable for everyday wear or may benefit from thoughtful consideration when worn with care.
Feel like screaming into the void?
Have anxiety levels well above any sane individual?
Enjoy playing dead?
Are you cuter than you think you are?
If so, you may want this delightful representation of your spirit animal.
A beautiful three-dimensional silver model of a possum/opossum, with brooch fittings. Originally made as part of the very short-lived ‘Billy Possum’ phenomenon created around the ‘Possums and Taters’ banquet held for incoming US President William Howard Taft by the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, which inspired a political cartoon in January 1909 suggesting that the teddy bear had met it’s match. Sadly this never came to pass and the possum craze was over before it began.
Maker:
Arthur Johnson Smith, known for making silver novelties such as pincushions and jewellery featuring unusual animals and novel products of the day. This particular design is extremely rare with no other known examples currently available for purchase.
Marks:
Hallmarks for Chester, 1909.
Materials:
Silver
Date:
Edwardian, 1909.
Length:
3.2cms.
Condition:
General tarnish. Pin hinge slightly loose.
By clicking to ‘Purchase’ you agree to having read the Important Information for Purchasers.
Our primary concern is that you are pleased with your purchase. Please feel free to ask as many questions as you like about a product before clicking purchase. We appreciate patina and the ‘age’ that older pieces acquire, because of this we do not polish pieces to strip away the age (though your local jeweller may be willing to do this for you for a small fee). Secondhand, vintage and antique pieces will naturally show scratches and small marks, these will often appear more noticeable in the enlarged images that we have made available for you. Our images are as realistic as they can be. Although any appreciable defects/damages will be mentioned please do inspect the images as they do form a part of the condition report.
Antique items may longer not be suitable for everyday wear or may benefit from thoughtful consideration when worn with care.