College ring

[Al Vise]

Gentlemen,
At last some time ago, after I was just reading you for long time, I found the courage to join this prestigious forum. And now I finally found the courage to break the ice and introduce myself. Hope I’ve done it in the right section, because honestly I haven’t found ad-hoc one.

My name is Alvise Venza , Italian guy, 29 years old on next April 19th ... but that's another story .

My first job is insurer, my second is on the link to my profile: we could say that with my girlfriend I'm trying to transform our passion, vintage stuff and vintage world, into our first job.

Well, back to business. Just from my wonderful (excuse the immodesty) girlfriend I received, as an engagement gift, a beautiful college ring, of which I’m attaching some photos. It's from 1945, pure art deco style. Personally I think it’s beautiful!

The seller claimed it came from Lycoming College in Pennsylvania, because the logo is an open book with below the word "truth". He was wrong. The logo of the Lycoming College is different: the writing is in ancient greek alphabet and above the book there’s a telescope, not a star. I also had confirmation from the library of the College, with which I have written via email: she sent to me copies of school newspapers where they had models of college rings for 1945. They are completely different!

At this point, my question is the following (hoping once again to have guessed the section): could any of you tell me the origins of this ring? I also tried to look on web for Milne (the other inscription on the ring, as in the attached photos) College, Milne University, Milne High School... but with no results.

Certainly of your kind feedback, thank you in advance .


- Alvise -

 

[Tomasso]

Here are two schools to which you might direct your inquiries.



http://www.albany.edu/~milne/index.shtml


https://www.alumniclass.com/edwardmilne/lost-rings

 

[Atticus Finch]

My guess is yours is a high school class ring. I say that because college rings typically (but not always) show the owner's degree (BS, BA, MS, MA or whatever) somewhere in the engraving.

AF

 

[Shangas]

I agree with Atticus. It's too simple to be a university/college ring.

I had my college ring produced when I graduated back in 2010 or whenever it was. It had my graduating year, the university, and my degree (B.A. Bachelor of Arts). I don't see anything like that marked on that ring.

 

[Tomasso]

My guess is yours is a high school class ring.

Yep.

 

[gtdean48]

Looks like my father's high school ring from late 1940's, 1947 to be exact.

 

[HudsonHawk]

College rings are typically more ornate/descriptive than that, though as AF pointed out, not always. For example:



But the style of your ring was very common for high school rings of the period. I agree with the consensus that it's most likely a high school ring, and it's quite possible that it's from a school that no longer exists.

 

[Edward]

My Alam Mater has been doing rings for about ten or twelve years now, I think - they're a relatively new concept in the UK and Ireland, obviously an idea imported from the US as a business model. I graduated in 1997 and 1998, and have long planned when I have the cash to spare that I will buy two for my postgraduate degree. One of these:

http://www.evalondon.com/qub/graduation-rings/signet-2.html

with my degree and year, in 9ct gold, for daywear, and one of these:

http://www.evalondon.com/qub/graduation-rings/imperial-2.html

in silver for evening wear. My birthstone is a blue sapphire, but I am more inclined towards an emerald here...

I do love the deco styling of the ring in the OP; if that was an option, I'd definitely go for it. Irrespective of whether it's a High School or a College ring, it's a stunningly crafted piece of jewellery.

 

[HudsonHawk]

My Alam Mater has been doing rings for about ten or twelve years now, I think - they're a relatively new concept in the UK and Ireland, obviously an idea imported from the US as a business model. I graduated in 1997 and 1998, and have long planned when I have the cash to spare that I will buy two for my postgraduate degree. One of these:

http://www.evalondon.com/qub/graduation-rings/signet-2.html

with my degree and year, in 9ct gold, for daywear, and one of these:

http://www.evalondon.com/qub/graduation-rings/imperial-2.html

in silver for evening wear. My birthstone is a blue sapphire, but I am more inclined towards an emerald here...

I do love the deco styling of the ring in the OP; if that was an option, I'd definitely go for it. Irrespective of whether it's a High School or a College ring, it's a stunningly crafted piece of jewellery.

I personally love the signet rings. Over here, college rings are typically much gaudier. From Mrs. Hawk's alma mater:



There is even an elaborate ceremony where one's ring is presented.

 

[Seb Lucas]

A college ring? Heavens. Never heard of these things before. And I'm not sure why you'd memorialize your schooling in such an odd way. But obviously they are common enough in America. Interesting to see them.

 

[Edward]

I personally love the signet rings. Over here, college rings are typically much gaudier.

My awareness of American college rings actually first came from, of all places, the Rocky Horror Picture Show: Barry Bostwick wears one as Brad, and at a time I had to go looking for onefor part of the costume. It's certainly fair to say that the American rings are somewhat flashier, with coloured stones et cetera - more like the silver one I pictured (which I fancy for evening wear...). I do like them, though - something quite Hendrix about them (my mother would say Liberace lol ).

The signet rings are very nice indeed, I agree. in a sense, I suppose, they're a more "British" take on the same idea. Very much in the vein of the old-style signet rings with the family crest repalced by that of the university. They can even be purchased plain, though while that appeals (I loved my university), the personalisation aspect of having my date and degree is definitely abig draw, and I think I will do that.

From Mrs. Hawk's alma mater:

View attachment 12474

There is even an elaborate ceremony where one's ring is presented.

That's a nice idea. Here, it's still a very new concept, and not all universities do it (in my day, Queen's didn't, but it's been introduced since, and I can have one retrospectively). They're certainly a great idea for a graduation gift; I see the company even lets you order one to be collected at graduation ceremonies now, as opposed to just ordered there. I must bear that in mind.... nephew is seven now and niece four; I expect come 2028 and 2033 I'll need to be thinking about graduation gifts....

 

[HudsonHawk]

A college ring? Heavens. Never heard of these things before. And I'm not sure why you'd memorialize your schooling in such an odd way. But obviously they are common enough in America. Interesting to see them.

The tradition of a class ring in the US goes back to the 1830's. They've been very common for a long time. They are ingrained in American culture, and everyone immediately recognizes them.

 

[HudsonHawk]

The signet rings are very nice indeed, I agree. in a sense, I suppose, they're a more "British" take on the same idea. Very much in the vein of the old-style signet rings with the family crest repalced by that of the university.

I have been wanting a signet ring with my family crest for a long time. Being of solid English extraction, it should be doable enough, I've just never gotten around to having one made. Any suggestions on how to get one would be welcome.

 

[Atticus Finch]

The tradition of a class ring in the US goes back to the 1830's. They've been very common for a long time. They are ingrained in American culture, and everyone immediately recognizes them.

Yes, its an old tradition. This is a photo of my father in flight school during WWII. Because this is actually a photo of a photo, its quality isn't very good, but the ring he's wearing on his left hand is an N.C. State College (now University) class ring. He wore that ring every day of his life up until a month or so before he died. Sadly, it was lost one hectic night in 2009 when EMS transported him to the hospital. The attending nurse in the ED gave it to my Mom, and Mom misplaced it. Of all his personal belongings, it was probably the thing I would have most wanted to keep.

AF

 

[Tomasso]

I never got into the school ring thing. Or the letterman's sweater/ jacket deal. Or the honors societies doodads. Very few students at my schools partook. It was the 70s and there was an antiestablishment attitude permeating campuses. Now had I matriculated twenty years earlier, when a guy would give his steady girl his class ring to wear around her neck or let her wear his letterman's sweater, maybe I would have taken part, who knows.

 

[Seb Lucas]

It's a curious tradition. Is it still being done or does it only appeal to more conservative people?

 

[HoosierDaddy]

It's a curious tradition. Is it still being done or does it only appeal to more conservative people?

It's still being done...Class rings usually Junior year of High School..and class jackets Senior year...plus letters for sports.
HD

 

[Tomasso]

I can't tell you the last time I've seen a school ring worn. Probably the last time I saw my cousin who wears his Naval Academy ring.

 

[HudsonHawk]

I can't tell you the last time I've seen a school ring worn. Probably the last time I saw my cousin who wears his Naval Academy ring.

They are very common around here. Probably at least 50% of the people I work with wear one.

 

[Shangas]

I always thought class/university/school rings were a chiefly AMERICAN tradition. I've not seen it being done in many other places on earth. It's offered here in Australia, and possibly in England (?), but I don't know where else this tradition exists.