Featured What was this Used for/as?

19th C. brass. The rod at top has threaded ends on each side so I know something is missing. Your thoughts on what this was used for or as? Some type of advertising piece/display/sign? The company from research if I'm not mistaken was only in business from the 1860s - 1880s.

Size Approx: 12 x 9 in.

Thank you!

 

Gonna take a WAG at this. I'm thinking a counter display and when completed it was probably for shoe button hooks. Just my guess.
I think it's neat though

 

Here is an old Blurb about the company. They manufactured shoes. so this must be a counter display of some sort.
https://books.google.com/books?id=C...#v=onepage&q=H.S. Robinson Burtenshaw&f=false

 

Thanks so much for your time and thoughts, Bdigger.

At least now I have an idea of what to search for (countertop display).

I did do a quick search and seen some modern T-bar counter displays with a somewhat similar type form. The small round knob at middle turns and comes completely off allowing the bar to slide out. Not sure if that means anything to you or any of the other board members?

Thanks for posting the link. I did see that and a number of other articles and ads within Google Books regarding the manufacture, but still nothing showing how the above item might have been displayed or used.

Thanks again.

 

I know absolutely nothing. With that said, if things were hung from the horizontal bar, wouldn't they slide down to the left? The bar should be level if you want to hang things from it. Does the bar have any notches or marks on it?

 

Thanks for your reply.

Nope, not one. No notches or marks, only the threaded end caps.

 

Darn LOL I was wondering if it was used to measure feet for shoes (Thats why notches or marks for measurement)

Salesman on his bended knee, loosens the center screw and could slide the bar to get a size. The angle of the bar would almost be consistent with one holding his/her foot up.

Sometimes...I think weird things

 

Thanks again, Desperate for your time and thoughts.

I don't think you think weird....that's actually a pretty damn good thought.

I believe as Bdigger said....it's a countertop display of some short, but for what? I'm at a loss!

 

LOVE THIS!!!
Being the resident 'sign guy'....as far as I know...I bet there was a sign to match out front.

 

My hubby thinks it may have been used to hang leather and/or fabric samples for the shoes. Me, I have no idea but think it's a neat item!

 

I was thinking about how it might have been used. Most Shoe button hooks had oval holed handles. I wonder if they just slid onto the bar and were kept from sliding off with an end cap.

 

Come to think of it. Shoe Horns would probably hang nicely on the bar.

 

Might have had clamped/screw-on shoe platforms/holders on each side of the metal shoes. The actual shoes would be on top/up and the sign below them. Gee, I didn't describe that very well. Anyways, following are a couple examples of such a display minus the metal shoe ad - albeit newer. While yours has the metal shoe ad minus the shoe holders.

http://ancientpoint.com/inf/118900-...ble__darling__shoe_display_stand_n0_b_32.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Retro-Vinta...-METAL-ADJUSTABLE-COUNTRY-STORE-/201326893483

--- Susan

 

Thanks everyone for your time, replies, thoughts and links...much appreciated!

@Don, thanks! It doesn't appear to be bent, looks made/designed at that angle.

 

I think it's just missing the shoe pads , and would have looked like this.....

 

~Cheryl

 

I vote for the clip or the rest.. !
The hooks would interfere with the advertizing sign..

 

WOW!

 

I vote for the clip or rest, too.