Save This from Trash? E. C. Hansen?
Hello there. I was wondering if anyone would be able to help me with an identification. A local man recently asked me to go through some boxes that he received from an abandoned storage unit, before he scraps them. While going through some old looking wooden blocks, I found this item mixed in. It weighs a bit over 7 ounces. It appears to be an E. C. Hansen according to the mark on the back, but I have only seen font typefaces, and not images, so I am not sure if this is legit. I have seen online people collecting full sets of his type font, would a hobbyist or collector be interested in just one piece? I am having an issue researching correctly, and I haven’t been able to find any like it online. Thank you for reading this, and thank you for your time.
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No reason why it wouldn’t be legit. The Hansen Type Foundry no doubt issued such cuts in their catalog. The pin mark tells us that it was cast by the Hansen Foundry; and it’s 120 points tall (or approx. 1 5/8”), meaning the dimension of the type body from, in this case, the top of the guys hat to his feet.
As far as dating, it was definitely made after 1881 and up to the time that Hansen’s foundry either dissolved or was absorbed into the American Type Founders Co. (not sure of the history there). The reason it can be sure it’s no older than 1881 is because the point system came about around that time, hence the “120”.
It’s a very topical piece that seems to be the image of a waiter. It would have been used on a restaurant menu or something. It might have a little interest to some because it’s an old foundry piece, but it looks like it may have some damage on the waiter’s foot on the right of your pic. It’s kinda hard to tell, but it appears damaged to me.
Somebody might give you up to $2 - $10 on an Ebay auction, but if it’s damaged, it may or may not sell at all.
It is a somewhat interesting piece and someone here may have an old Hansen’s catalog to more accurately identify it, and be able to tell you the series name of the cut if there was one.
It’s not worth a fortune. imo.
I would just keep it if I were you. Nice paper weight.
[edit] Actually 1881 may be a little early for the point size for the Hansen foundry. The Marder & Luse & Co. was the first to issue their 1881 catalog in the American Point System, but it wasn’t until 1886 when the Point System was standardized. I can’t be certain about the Hansen foundry. It’s safe to say not before 1886.
I add this edit because an expert may correct me, which I am not; but I certainly enjoy trying to sound like one…….
:o)-)
Thank you so much for the information and assessment! I love learning things about items that are quite old. I will let my friend know he has a nice fancy paperweight…Perhaps one day he will find someone he can give it to. Have a lovely day.
To be precise, it is a cast ornament, not a cut. H.C. Hansen offered a group of images they called Printers’ Joys and yours in No. 14 and cost $0.30 in their 1909 catalog.
The H.C. Hansen Foundry was in existence in Boston, MA from 1872 to 1922.
This particular design stylistically is probably from around 1900.
Rick
http://briarpress.org/921
Look familiar?
It’s in the free ornament downloads section right here on Briar Press.