Vintage Money Clip

[Levallois]

I did a search and quite a few members carry money clips but I'm interested in finding out more info. about an old one I just acquired. It's an art deco style sterling silver clip made by Frank M. Whiting silversmiths. I did some snooping and found out that Whiting ceased to exist as a company in 1940. That's as far as I've gotten. Does anyone collect money clips that can point me in the right direction for reference material or know of some sort of money clip collectors group that I haven't been able to find on the web? Thanks!

Here is a photo:

 

[Ethan Bentley]

Lovely clip.

The Frank M. Whiting & Co. was founded in 1878 in North Attleboro, Massachusetts by the son of William Whiting, the founder of the Whiting Manufacturing Co. In 1897 the company was incorporated and later was purchased by the Ellmore Silver Company of Meriden, CT. Their line included sterling silver flatware, hollowware, novelties, souvenir spoons, and baby goods.
http://www.silvercollecting.com/silvermarksW.html

and then;
Ellmore Silver Co. was founded in 1935 in Meriden, CT. Around 1940 they purchased the Frank M. Whiting Company, Concord Silversmiths, G.H. French & Co. and W. & S. Blackinton & Co. They continued using the dies for at least one Frank Whiting pattern, but used the Ellmore hallmark shown here on the right. In a 1951 ad in Trademarks of the Jewelry and Kindred Trades, it says that their hollowware, flatware and novelties are made exclusively with sterling. They did produce silver plate with the W. & S. Blackington mark.

Details on the man himself.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~silversmiths/makers/silversmiths/154601.htm

 

[poetman]

Anyone have any pictures of some vintage era money clips? What were some designs used?

 

[texasgirl]

My Snipe got sniped and I lost out on this I was trying to win for my husband. I haven't seen one before, but I stumbled upon it in the wrong category.

 

[Ethan Bentley]

but I stumbled upon it in the wrong category.

I love it when that happens or you find from making a typo.
Comiserations on being out-sniped. I do hope you find another one or maybe something even better.

 

[Levallois]

I appreciate the replies and info. about my Whiting-made clip. That World's Fair clip is a beaut! Too bad someone sneaked in there at the end. It's weird there aren't more vintage money clips being used out there.

John

 

[Dr Doran]

I am not sure what decade my money clip is from, but I'll post a picture at some point soon.

 

[djhatman]

Do you find money clip to be more useful then a wallet? I have been thinking about getting one but am just not sure.

 

[Dr Doran]

Do you find money clip to be more useful then a wallet? I have been thinking about getting one but am just not sure.

Hi DJH: this is what works for me: in my right pocket is an antique silver cigarette case with my driver's license, bank card, school ID, and medical card (but no cigarettes). It could not hold money unless I folded and pressed the money absurdly. The right pocket also holds my keys.

In my left pocket are coins, my cell phone unless that is in a jacket pocket, and my money clip.

This system is great. If I had a normal leather wallet, I'd probably put bills in it, but since I use the cigarette case for the cards and such, I put the bills in the money clip.

 

[KILO NOVEMBER]

Small bills for panhandlers

Do you find money clip to be more useful then a wallet? I have been thinking about getting one but am just not sure.

I use both. I keep small bills (ones and fives) in the money clip in my left pocket. When I worked in downtown DC (Washington) I would walk to my office through a neighborhood that was home to to homeless shelter. I was often importuned by destitute men who would loiter near the Metro station panhandling. While I was willing to give them small sums, I didn't think it wise to pull out my wallet to do so. So I could easily reach into my pocket and get a small bill or two from the money clip.

Mine is a leather-covered bi-fold affair that keeps the bills secure with two magnets sewn in either side. Fold it closed and the magnets' attraction is strong enough to keep the bills secured.