Flea Market find, mini anvil.

T. Erdelyi

T. Erdelyi

Joined
Feb 3, 2001
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Found this little brass anvil at the flea market for a few $ today, made the trip worth it.

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Pretty cool. Never know what you are going to find at a flea market. Thanks for sharing the pic.
 
I made one of those in 8th or 9th grade metal shop class. Mine was sand cast brass. I have no idea where it is now, my dad might still have it.
 
I like it. I've seen those before in pawn shops, they must have some following in certain circles as many people own them and display them.
 
A guy who runs an antique/second hand store near me collects anvils and he has one similar in size to this with a matching hammer. He said his was from a jeweler, might be a bit of a lead if you want to look into it.

If you want me to ask him about yours, PM me some photos with a ruler for scale, along with any identifying marks. Though, just judging by the imprint on the face, I would think this was meant to sit on a desk as a paperweight.

Cool find regardless!
 
These are variously called paperweights, jeweler's anvils, advertising anvils, salesman samples, dollhouse anvils, miniature anvils, etc....

The advertising ones are obvious - they have a business name other than an anvil manufacturer's name on them.

The salesman samples will usually have an anvil manufacturer's name on them. I have seen a few with an "alleged" salesman's name on them. Not that they really were scale model representations of what one of the company's working anvils looked like, but were really freebie give-aways that the salesmen would give to clients and potential clients. Think of them as unique business cards.

Most were used either as paperweights or shelf decorations. Just my opinion, but I doubt real jeweler's used these. Maybe, but....
 
I figured it was a premium or a salesman's giveaway. It's cast, stamped on the face/work area and it's nothing like the jeweler's anvils I've seen but they are neat pieces and make great props for pictures.

They do have some value, I've seen them sell for between $20-$75 on the bay. I got an AC spark plug happier that looks like one of those Trimline metal manicure knives, paid a $1 for it saw one sold on the bay for $65. I was impressed with the closed auction prices.
 
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