Nearly three dozen of you tried to guess the object for last week’s history mystery, as well as the text that was partially obscured by rust. You can see a video of the mystery object here. Here are some of the guesses:
- “The mystery item is an early doorbell.”
- “It’s something to hang your boots upside down on, so you can brush the dirt off.”
- “Torch holder”
- “It holds items … perhaps a lantern, between the rollers.”
I, too, guessed something related to lighting when I first saw it, as it looked like a candle. Not quite!
AEM was the first person to guess its true purpose as well as the text: “It is a broom holder and the name on it is likely that of an advertiser, and not that of the manufacturer.” Another person believes the text on the top says, "Hang your broom here."
Adding a company name to a oft-used piece of hardware is an age-old marketing technique, and is still used today on yard sticks, buckets, and the like.
Several of you were able to name the company: C. R. Brasie, located in Brasie Corners, Macomb, New York. While I wasn’t able to find the company on an 1896 map of the area, I did see a “W. Brazee” (near the letter M above) as well as several metalworks listed.
Notably, the device can still hold a broom 100+ years later – testament to the quality of the materials and assembly. Check out the video below of the 1835 stone farmhouse in which it was found, still standing after close to two centuries. They don’t make ‘em like they used to!
