While doing some tidying this weekend of my sock drawer, as one does, I found all sorts of buried treasure such as 1 Euro, a few bobby pins, buttons and, to quote the Cat from Red Dwarf "a shiny thing". This particular shiny thing has a mate and the two have carried on an oscillating separate/joint existence for as long as I can remember. As I was in an inquisitive mind frame I clipped it to my pjs (what else would you be wearing while cleaning out your sock drawer?) and headed to the internet. The only mark on the shiny thing was the patent number on the hinged clasp, so that is where I started my search.
The patent number is 1852188 for a double clip associated with a jewellery company called Coro. Coro was established by Emanuel Cohn and Carl Rosenberger in New York in 1901, and later established business in Toronto. By looking at a few of their pieces I discovered that the two shiny things as a pair make a Duette, which are worn on either fur or dresses. What I did not realize was, put together they can be worn as a broach. I scoured the back of the shiny thing and could not find a makers mark, or a mark where something had been removed, or altered so was uncertain if my shiny things could really be a Duette. I searched the internet for more picture and a came up with a few images of the broach separated from the shiny things and that is when the eureka moment hit me! I have had a strange broach sitting in the bottom of a box for the longest time, which I have had absolutely NO idea what it was for. I almost wore it on occasion because it was so unusual... I went rummaging through said box and found it safely with the other shiny thing.
Wouldn't you know it, they fit like a glove!! I could not believe it! The broach had it's own patent number, which is UK & Canada 410696. I searched the internet and found both marks together in another very similar unmarked Duette piece, which was attributed to Coro. This piece described an ornate floral and scroll design pattern on the clasps, which were also on mine, and dates the Duette in the 20's to 30's.
I cannot believe how stunning it is! All I have to do now is find an appropriate event to wear it for, other than my while sorting out my sock drawer in my pjs...
For the first time in nearly ten years I picked up my tennis racket and ventured onto a court! For many years I have wanted to resume playing tennis, since my appetite for the game was whetted with lessons over the course of two summers. So during an evening out, while making new friends, Mark and I were invited to play in a "non-competitive, beginner to expert, friendly tennis match" followed by a BBQ. How could we refuse?!
On arriving on the court, eager to play, I began warming up with another new friend. I don't think a single ball ended up in the court and I certainly could not serve to save my life! After about half an hour of a little refresher course, some of it was beginning to return. Miraculously my serve was my biggest strength! My forehand and backhand remained sketchy at best... I was partnered with a very strong and patient partner. We lost our first game 5-7 to the team that eventually won the tournament. Our second game was personally my favourite given that my returns where getting much more accurate; we won the game 6-4. Our final game was impeded by a left handed player. I blame him entirely for my inability to return his serves! I lost count of the score, but I think we lost 4-6. Regardless, it was an absolutely fantastic experience to be back on a tennis court!
Mark opted out of playing tennis, but was happy to find plenty of soccer players in attendance Unfortunately he chose to wear sandals (displayed in the bottom right of the picture above) and could not play for as long as he might have wanted.
Even with a tiny BBQ everyone was well fed and watered. The rain held off until the end and everyone seemed to linger that long or longer. Post tournament we walked down to the Row Barge aka "the Barley Mow" to celebrate the winners where more friends were made including a Dog-Dog named Jazz!
