Lot 160
Storied Heart Shaped Charm Which Contains Copper From the Liberty Bell--With Family Letters, Forensic Results and "History Detectives" Script. An extraordinary journey. Tiny heart-shaped pin engraved "1776".5 x .5" (1.27 x 1.27cm). In 2007, the heart was presented to the television show "History Detectives" by a woman who wanted to find out if family lore claiming that the pin was made from metal removed when the Liberty Bell was repaired in 1846 could be true. Elyse, from the show, found metalsmith I. Bedichimer's maker's mark on the back, so it was a reputable piece. She tracked down information that John Stratton, the owner's ancestor, was part of the Common Council of Philadelphia and accompanied the Liberty Bell to Atlanta in 1895 for the Cotton States and Atlanta Exposition, so he could have been honored with a pin.
A 2013 letter from Whitechapel Bell Foundry Ltd. in London, where the Liberty Bell was cast in 1752, gives information on the original mixture of copper and tin, the latter being about 22%. An elemental analysis of the heart pin, using x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, was made by a scientist at Winterthur Museum, and it was found to be about 90% silver and 10% copper. An 1846 article noted that the metal removed from the Liberty Bell during the repair was considered sacred, so it would not have been thrown away. The conclusion was that the 10% copper in this tiny pin could very well have been taken from the Liberty Bell! Accompaning the heart is the script from "History Detectives," the letter from Whitechapel Bell Foundry Ltd. in London, two family letters regarding the heart, information on the Liberty Bell's, information on the Liberty Bell's patriotic pilgrimage to San Francisco in 1915 and mentioning the 1895 pilgrimage to Atlanta and others, a vintage German postcard of the Liberty Bell, and a 1935 cover with cachet commemorating the 100th anniversary of the cracking of the Liberty Bell. Estimate Value $1,000 - UP
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| Realized $600 |
