FRENCH .950 SILVER 14K GOLD - TORTOISE & HARE FABLE!!

FRENCH .950 SILVER 14K GOLD - TORTOISE & HARE FABLE!!

**In 1929 the company became Lenain Frères. Their mark is on this piece. "L" and "F" separated by interlaced "L"s, one reversed. It is NOT stamped, “France”, but it does have a size mark, "10". It is stamped with a mercury head assay mark in an oval cartouche. When Roger Lenain repurchased the company of this grandfather and father, he acquired the old, c. 1900 thimble dies from Lorillon/Feau, of FRANCE. In 1978, using these TURN OF THE CENTURY DIES, they made a number of RESTRIKES of these DETAILED and WONDERFUL THIMBLES for us to collect. This one, MINTED OF 950/1000 SILVER and 14K GOLD LINED, is called THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE. It illustrates one of the FABLES OF JEAN DE LAFONTAINE (1621-1695), that is FAMILIAR ALL OVER THE WORLD. The TURTLE is WINNING THE RACE with the HARE. The finish line is marked with a sign that read, "BUT", which translates as from the French as "GOAL". You can see a CHURCH, with a STEEPLE, in the distance. The thimble is in excellent condition. PLEASE STUDY THE PICTURES FOR CONDITION. **Information from: Late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century French Silver Thimble Masters’ Marks, by Magdalena and William Isbister 2007. Buy this book from me.

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IT'S TIME TO BUY GIFTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!! KEEP WATCHING MY LISTINGS as I am selling from several collections. I know you’ll find something for your collection or for gifts. You will want to put me on your “FAVORITE SELLER” list so eBay will notify you by email when I list something new. Thanks for your past and future bidding! Kit Please to read about us and see our other eBay listings. For other listings only, click on eBay's "View seller's other items" link, above. All items are guaranteed to be as described. We strive to present pictures and descriptions that leave no questions. HAVE QUESTIONS? Contact Kit via the "ask seller a question" link above. CHECK OUR RELIABLE MERCHANTS 100+% rating by clicking here Checkout guidelines Winning auctions and/or purchases from our web site, may be COMBINED FOR SHIPPING TO POSSIBLY REDUCE COSTS, if you notify me via email before paying. JUST ASK. DO NOT USE EBAY CHECKOUT FOR ORDERS OF MULTIPLE ITEMS. Successful bidder Contact Kit via the "ask seller a question" link above, within three days, with a mailing address. I will send the winner an invoice with shipping costs and my address to send payment. Contact me via e-mail within 3 business days after the auction closes even if you are bidding on other items I have listed. Winning auctions and/or purchases from our web site, may be COMBINED FOR SHIPPING TO POSSIBLY REDUCE COSTS, if you notify me via email before paying. JUST ASK. PAYMENT AS OF OCT., 2008, eBay WILL ALLOW PAYMENTS ONLY VIA PayPal. You can still USE YOUR CREDIT CARD without signing up with PayPal. PLEASE WAIT FOR MY INVOICE!!. SHIPPING I am happy to combine auctions won in the same week and/or thimbles from my web site, for possible savings to you if you notify me via email before paying. JUST ASK. USA and INTERNATIONAL shipments will be FREE via USPS First Class, sent safely in a padded envelope. INSURANCE REQUIRED. See below. PRIVATE (non USPS) *INSURANCE: USA: REQUIRED $.75/per $100 or part thereof. INTERNATIONAL: REQUIRED $1.75/per $100 or part thereof. Please be patient. These international packages sometimes take nearly a month to arrive. I guarantee they will be mailed promptly and you will be reimbursed if the package does not arrive safely. PLEASE LET ME KNOW, via feedback or email, WHEN THE PACKAGE ARRIVES, because I have no way of knowing otherwise, and I care. Thank you. Please look at my web site, where I have a variety of THIMBLES, THIMBLESCOPE Magnifiers, and sewing-related BOOKS for sale. Books and thimbles must be shipped separately. Thanks and good luck! KIT'S ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLE THIMBLES SINCE 1982, web site is continually being updated.

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On Nov-29-08 at 10:26:37 PST, seller added the following information:

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